Trial Of Chicago Cop Accused Of Killing 13 Year Old Bicyclist Starts This Week

Trial is scheduled to get underway this week against a Chicago police officer charged with aggravated DUI and reckless homicide arising from the death of a 13 year old who was riding his bicycle at 81st Street and Ashland Avenue in May, 2009.  The boy, Trenton Booker, was riding with a friend when Richard Bolling, who was off-duty at the time, allegedly struck him with his car then kept going, according to the Chicago Tribune.  Witnesses estimated that Bolling had been traveling at about 60 mph in a 30 mph zone.  The impact threw the young boy into the air and under a parked car.

It is alleged that when his fellow officers caught up with him there was a less than vigorous effort to gather evidence.  Allegedly, he was not given a Breathalyzer until 4 1/2 hours after the crash after pressure was placed by police Internal Affairs.  At that time he registered 0.079 percent, just under the legal limit, according to the Trib.