Porter v. County of Cook

Charles Porter was seriously burned while confined in the Cook County House of Correction. He sued the County for negligence, and in a nonjury trial was awarded a judgment for *117,500 from which the County has appealed.

Porter, who had a history of mental illness, came home drunk on January 2, 1971, threatened to harm his wife physically and chased her around the house. A neighbor heard her screams and called the police who arrested Porter. The next day he was brought to court and his case was continued to January 21. An order was entered that he be examined in the meantime at the Psychiatric…