Man Sentenced to Ten Years for Pushing Tourist off CTA Platform
CHICAGO — Gary Coleman, who recently served time for assaulting a woman in the Loop, has been sentenced to ten years in prison for pushing a tourist off the Cermak-McCormick Place Green Line platform, resulting in severe injuries.
Police had initially arrested Coleman in October 2021 for punching a woman in the face, leading to her losing consciousness. Despite showing signs of mental illness during court appearances, Coleman only faced a misdemeanor charge for this incident.
Shortly after being sentenced to eight months of conditional discharge for the previous assault, Coleman was involved in the CTA attack at the Cermak Green Line station. He pushed a 66-year-old tourist off the platform, causing her to sustain serious injuries including a broken orbital bone, dislocated wrist, concussion, and cuts to her forehead.
Following the incident, Coleman fled the scene but was later apprehended by police after being identified through CTA surveillance footage. He pleaded guilty to aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and received a ten-year sentence, which may be reduced to five years for good behavior. With credit for time served, Coleman is expected to be released in less than two years.
This case highlights the challenges of addressing individuals with mental health issues within the criminal justice system and the impact of such incidents on innocent victims.
