The Illinois Department of Corrections Friday lifted a hold that had prevented parolee Bernard Kersh from posting bond after his arrest for allegedly spitting on the officer who body slammed him to the ground, jail officials said.
The move comes a day after the Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr. called for Kersh to be released from Cook County Jail.
A IDOC spokesperson did not immediately respond to request for comment from the Chicago Sun-Times.
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Andrew M. Stroth, a lawyer for Kersh’s family, said he expected Kersh, 29, to post bond and leave jail Friday evening.
“Bernard Kersh is in need of medical as well as mental health treatment, and the release from IDOC custody will allow him to get treatment,” Stroth said.
“Watch the video he suffered a traumatic event, and we just want to make sure he doesn’t have a brain injury. He doesn’t need to be in a jail cell; he needs to be in hospital getting treatment.”
Kersh was drinking at a bus stop on 79th Avenue and South Cottage Grove on Thanksgiving when he was confronted by a plainclothes officer, Cook County prosecutors said.
Kersh proceeded to spit at the officer, prompting the officer to bear hug Kersh and throw him to the ground. Camera phone video filmed by a bystander showed Kersh striking his head on the curb next to the officer’s SUV and going limp.
The officer and another who responded have since been stripped of their police powers as the Civilian Office of Police Accountability investigates the use of force.
Kersh was later charged with aggravated battery of a peace officer, misdemeanor counts of assault and resisting arrest, as well as a count of drinking alcohol in public.
Jackson visited the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Tuesday to post the $500 needed to secure Kersh’s release, but he remained in custody because of a hold placed by the IDOC. Kersh was recently on parole for an 18-month prison sentence for a previous conviction for resisting or obstructing a police officer.
Thursday, Jackson held a press conference with Kersh’s family, calling for his release. Kersh’s mother said her son is schizophrenic and requires medications.
Prosecutors at Kersh’s bond hearing over the weekend said he did not suffer any skull or brain injuries, other than a scratch “the size of a fingernail” over his eye.
The Fraternal Order of Police on Friday also sent a letter to Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, calling on her to repudiate remarks disparaging police that were made by activists who joined by Jackson at the Thursday press conference.
