A Cook County judge finally rendered his decision Sept. 2 in a case involving a gay-bashing incident dating back to October 2001.
After an afternoon game at Wrigley Field, Jim Brezinsky and a friend were walking away from the ballpark when they were called ‘faggots’, chased, and then physically attacked by Todd Conroy. Brezinsky was thrown through a plate glass window and required treatment in a local hospital’s ER. He was later dismissed with minor injuries.
While his lawyer and victim’s advocate tried to get the case classified as a hate-crime and lobbied for Conroy to be charged with assault, the state’s attorney refused and only prosecuted under a misdemeanor battery charge. Even though Conroy was found guilty, he never served jail time and there will be no conviction on his record. He is now believed to be living in South Carolina.
This month’s ruling awarded Brezinsky over $50,000 in punitive damages and pain and suffering. His medical and legal fees will also be paid.
John Elias, who represented Brezinsky, believes the legal system remains ill-equipped when dealing with GLBT victims. ‘They are behind the times,’ he said. He also commented on the fact that the attack took place after the make-up game for the cancelled Sept. 11 fixture. ‘This was a time when we were all supposed to get along,’ he observed.