Cowardly Cop Who Beat Up Barmaid Heads to Court

Fox Chicago News first showed you the dramatic video of an off duty Chicago police officer beating a barmaid more than two years ago.

A security camera caught the incident at Jesse's Shortstop Inn. Anthony Abbate is charged with the beating. Karolina Obrycka is the barmaid who got the beating. She says it’s because she stopped serving him.

“It stays in your head to the end of your life. You’re not able to forget about that,” aid Obrycka.

Cook County prosecutors originally charged Abbate only with battery for his part in the February 19, 2007 beating.

When Fox Chicago News aired the tape a month later, prosecutors upped the charged to felony aggravated battery and arrested Abbate at his Northside home.

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After that video tape was seen by everyone, this cop now plans to plead self-defense.

Anti-DUI chief accused of DUI

The man who runs Sonoma County's program that combats drunken driving has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, police said.

Thomas Newell, 53, was arrested in Santa Rosa about 3 p.m. Friday after an off-duty firefighter spotted a Mercedes-Benz driving recklessly on Bodega Highway, according to the California Highway Patrol. Officers concluded that Newell was under the influence of a drug, authorities said.

Newell was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Jail.

Newell did not return a call seeking comment Tuesday, but his supervisor said in a written statement that Newell is on leave.

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Groom drinks too much at wedding, dies

TAIPEI (Reuters) - A Taiwanese groom died on his wedding day after having too much wine and beer to drink, police and local media said Monday.

The man, 35, an insurance company worker surnamed Wu passed out at home after drinking too much Saturday at a high-end restaurant in Taipei among more than 100 wedding guests, the Liberty Times reported.

It was not known if he had health complications.

"Everyone was having a great time," said restaurant party organizer Linda Chien. "We don't know what happened after that."

Wu was hospitalized after his face turned black, the paper said. A hospital spokeswoman said he died despite treatment.

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