Cassandra Feuerstein became a household name in 2013, but not for reasons anyone would want. The Chicago receptionist’s life changed forever when a routine DUI arrest turned into a brutal assault that left her face shattered and sparked a national debate about police accountability. What happened in that Skokie police station holding cell would eventually cost the village $875,000 and end an officer’s 19-year career.
The surveillance footage that emerged told a disturbing story, one that couldn’t be denied or explained away.
Biography
Cassandra Feuerstein was born around 1965 or 1966 in the United States. She lived a relatively quiet life in Chicago’s West Rogers Park neighborhood with her husband and two teenage daughters before the 2013 incident thrust her into the spotlight. At the time, she worked as a receptionist in a Loop office and had no prior criminal record or arrests.
Details about her early life, parents, and siblings remain private. Feuerstein weighed about 110 pounds and stood at an average height. Those who knew her described her as an ordinary working mother.
Incident
On March 10, 2013, around 6:00 a.m., Skokie police found Feuerstein slumped over in her vehicle at the intersection of Howard Street and East Prairie Road. Her foot was on the brake pedal. Officers arrested the 47-year-old on suspicion of driving under the influence and took her to the Skokie Police Station for booking.
What should’ve been a standard DUI processing turned violent. Officer Michael Hart, a 43-year-old with 19 years on the force, wasn’t even the arresting officer. He was just helping with the booking process. But during the mugshot photos, Hart became increasingly frustrated because Feuerstein kept failing to look at the right spot on the camera lens.
After more than an hour in the booking area, Feuerstein stepped out of her cell to request a phone call to her husband and children. That’s when Hart grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the detention cell. As she grasped at the doorway, trying to regain her balance and ask for another chance at the photos, Hart placed both hands on her back and shoved her with tremendous force.
The push sent the 110-pound woman flying across the cell. Her head and face slammed into an unpadded concrete bench on the far side. She collapsed immediately, blood pooling beneath her on the floor.
Devastating Injuries
The assault caused severe damage to Feuerstein’s face. Her right orbital bone (eye socket) was completely fractured. The impact loosened several teeth and left a deep laceration on her right cheek that essentially split her face open.
She required emergency facial reconstructive surgery. Surgeons had to insert a titanium plate in her cheek to replace the shattered bones. The injuries didn’t stop there, she suffered permanent nerve damage in her face and ongoing vision problems. Even months later in November 2014, she was still experiencing facial swelling and abscesses.
Her attorney, Torreya Hamilton, stated that Feuerstein would “probably have to live with the nerve damage for the rest of her life.”
In October 2013, Hamilton released the police surveillance footage when filing a federal lawsuit. The approximately 4.5-minute video went viral almost immediately, sparking widespread outrage. It showed everything in stark, undeniable detail.
Viewers could see Feuerstein being searched by a female officer, her calm interactions with police, and Hart calling her out of the cell. Less than 20 seconds later, the footage captured Hart grabbing and twisting her arm before shoving her with shocking force. The video showed her face slamming into the concrete bench, her body crumpling, and the blood spreading beneath her.
Other officers and paramedics later entered to help, reportedly cleaning her wounds with toilet paper. The video spoke for itself, there was no justifying what happened.
Legal Proceedings
On October 30, 2013, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez charged Hart with felony aggravated battery and official misconduct. “It’s pretty clear that he stepped over the line,” Alvarez stated. Hart was arrested and released on $75,000 bond after posting 10% ($7,500).
Following an internal investigation, the Village of Skokie moved to fire Hart in November 2013. Rather than face termination, he resigned on November 15, 2013, ending his 19-year career. His defense attorney said Hart “realizes his law enforcement career is over and wants to move on.”
On November 12, 2014, Hart appeared before Judge Matthew Coghlan at the Leighton Criminal Court Building. He pleaded guilty to official misconduct. The aggravated battery charge was dropped as part of the plea deal. Judge Coghlan sentenced Hart to two years probation and $674 in fines, but no jail time.
Hart read a written apology: “I did not intend to or want to harm you in any way. I acted in frustration and not out of anger or meanness. I’m sorry for the injuries I caused you.” Feuerstein wasn’t present to hear it. Hart also lost his pension due to the felony conviction.
Meanwhile, Feuerstein pleaded guilty to DUI and received one year of court supervision plus about $1,600 in fines. The resisting arrest charge Hart had filed was dropped after prosecutors reviewed the evidence.
$875,000 Settlement
Attorney Torreya Hamilton and co-counsel Lawrence Jackowiak filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Village of Skokie, Officer Hart, Sgt. Michael Healy, and Officer Mary Escobedo. The claims included civil rights violations, excessive force, battery, official misconduct, false arrest, and filing false reports.
The total settlement reached $875,000, paid in two parts. On September 16, 2015, the three officers settled for $625,000. Then on September 24, 2015, U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman and Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez issued a ruling holding the Village of Skokie solely responsible for $250,000.
The village accepted financial responsibility for the full amount without admitting wrongdoing.
Where Is Cassandra Feuerstein Now?
After the settlement was announced in December 2015, Feuerstein returned to private life. She hasn’t given any verified interviews or made public appearances since then. Her current whereabouts and circumstances remain unknown.
While she received an $875,000 settlement, much of that likely went toward medical expenses, legal fees, and ongoing care for her permanent injuries.
The settlement provided some financial compensation for life-altering injuries, but it couldn’t undo the permanent nerve damage and trauma she endured.