Family of Man Killed by CTA Worker Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against CTA

PRESS CONFERENCE: March 6, 2024
10 a.m.
Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C.
161 N. Clark Street Suite 4700
Chicago, IL 60601

CHICAGO (March 5, 2024) – The family of a man who was brutally beaten to death by a CTA employee at the LaSalle Street Blue Line stop has filed a civil wrongful death lawsuit against the Chicago Transit Authority.

On March 25, 2023 around 2 a.m., 54-year-old Kevin Powell arrived at the LaSalle Street Blue line stop, 150 W. Congress Parkway, and pushed his wheelchair around the platform. He eventually fell asleep, partially leaning on his wheelchair for support.  Soon after, he was awoken by 39-year-old Emmett Richardson, who was working as a CTA customer service agent at the time, kicking his wheelchair, causing him to fall to the floor.

According to the lawsuit filed on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Richardson proceeded to kick Mr. Powell’s personal property around the platform.  When Mr. Powell stood up and began walking towards an elevator, Richardson pushed him onto an escalator, rode to the upper platform with him, and then pulled Mr. Powell by the hood of his jacket, causing him to lose balance and fall over a railing at the top of the escalator.  Mr. Powell landed on his back, only to then be dragged by Richardson to the top of the stairs, grabbed by the feet and tossed down the stairs.  While Mr. Powell was on the ground, Richardson poured bottles of water on him and struck him in the face and head repeatedly.  Richardson then pushed him down a second flight of stairs until Mr. Powell fell unconscious.

The violent attack continued for nearly an hour.  When Defendant Richardson eventually called 911, he falsely claimed to have found Mr. Powell unresponsive with drug paraphernalia around him.  When officers arrived on scene, Richardson fabricated a story that he was attempting to help Mr. Powell up the stairs when he lost consciousness and collapsed.  Mr. Powell was pronounced dead at the scene around 4:38 a.m.

Surveillance footage from the station captured the violent attack on camera. The video shows that Mr. Powell never engaged with Richardson prior to the attack or attempted to defend himself.

Richardson was removed from CTA service without pay.  He faces one count of aggravated battery by a transit employee, one count of aggravated battery in a public place, and two counts of first-degree murder. In the course of the preliminary criminal proceedings, Cook County Judge Barbara Dawkins said the attack was “of an extremely violent and outrageous nature.”

On March 5, 2024, Mr. Powell’s family filed a lawsuit against Richardson and the CTA through their attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C., claiming the willful and wanton conduct of Richardson and the CTA was a cause of Mr. Powell’s death.

“The actions of this Chicago Transit Authority in its treatment of Kevin Powell are beyond abhorrent,” Plaintiff’s attorney Lance D. Northcutt of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. said.  “The sheer depravity and utter disregard for human life by a CTA employee is something the CTA must answer for.”

The Plaintiffs are also represented by attorney Emily T. Art of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C.

Mr. Powell is survived by his mother, Pamela Powell, his sister Rachelle Powell, and his brother, Bruce Powell. Mr. Powell’s family and attorneys will discuss the case in more detail at a press conference on Wednesday, March 6 at 10 a.m. at the Law Offices of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. (161 N. Clark St, Suite 4700, Chicago, IL 60601).

For more information, please contact Marcie Mangan at (312) 372-1227 or mmangan@salvilaw.com.

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