Alvarez: Crime lab backlog held up DNA evidence on Evans gun

BY FRANK MAIN AND RUMMANA HUSSAIN Staff Reporters August 28, 2014 2:14PM

Police Cmdr. Glenn Evans | Sun-Times file photo

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Updated: August 29, 2014 2:19AM

Cook County States Attorney Anita Alvarez said Thursday that a backlog at the Illinois State Police crime lab was responsible for a nearly one-year delay in processing key DNA evidence that has led to charges against a Chicago Police commander for allegedly putting a gun in a suspects mouth.

Glenn Evans, commander of the Harrison District on the West Side, allegedly put his .45-caliber pistol deep down the suspects throat last year. Evans also allegedly held a Taser to the mans groin and threatened to kill him unless he led officers to the gun he was allegedly carrying.

Evans, 52, one of police Supt. Garry McCarthys most trusted commanders, was charged Wednesday with official misconduct and aggravated battery, both felonies. He was released Thursday without having to post bond and was able to avoid reporters when he was allowed to go through a ceremonial door rarely used at the courthouse.

A Cook County Sheriffs lieutenant who let Evans leave through the door will be disciplined. Evans was supposed to go out the regular doors used by the public, and the lieutenant disobeyed the orders, a sheriffs spokeswoman said.

According to prosecutors, the key evidence against Evans is a match between DNA evidence swabbed from his gun and DNA evidence taken from the mouth of the suspect, Rickey J. Williams, 24.

Evans arrested Williams for reckless conduct on Jan. 30, 2013, after a chase in the Grand Crossing District on the South Side, where Evans was commander before moving to the Harrison District on the West Side. Evans said he saw Williams on the street with a gun. Williams was hiding in vacant house when he was nabbed.

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Alvarez: Crime lab backlog held up DNA evidence on Evans gun