Appellate Court Orders New Trial in Harith Augustus Case

Ruling cites racial bias in jury selection, revives civil-conspiracy claims against Chicago police

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:20pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police badge or handcuff against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually illustrating the gritty, investigative nature of this criminal justice case.The long-running legal battle over the police killing of South Shore barber Harith Augustus continues, with a new trial ordered over concerns about racial bias in jury selection.Chicago Today

An Illinois appeals court has reversed a Cook County jury verdict that cleared Chicago police officers in a wrongful-death lawsuit over the 2018 police shooting of South Shore barber Harith Augustus. The appellate panel found that city lawyers improperly used peremptory strikes to remove two Black prospective jurors, violating the Equal Protection Clause. The court also revived a civil-conspiracy claim that had been dismissed earlier, sending the case back to Cook County for a new trial.

Why it matters

The Augustus case has remained a high-profile flashpoint, with the police killing sparking protests and the subsequent civil trial drawing intense scrutiny over issues of racial bias in the justice system. The appellate ruling sets the stage for a new, closely watched trial that could reshape the narrative around the incident and lead to further reforms of Chicago police tactics and training.

The details

In a March 31 order, the Illinois Appellate Court ruled that the defendants' stated reasons for striking two Black members of the jury pool were pretextual, violating the Equal Protection Clause. The court also held that the trial judge erred in granting summary judgment on the civil-conspiracy claim, reviving allegations about how officers coordinated the stop that led to the shooting.

  • The civil trial wrapped up in mid-2023, with a Cook County jury siding with the officers.
  • In 2021, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability faulted the officers' tactics and urged changes to CPD policy.
  • In 2024, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office concluded there was not enough evidence to bring criminal charges against Officer Dillan Halley.

The players

Harith Augustus

A South Shore barber who was fatally shot by Chicago police in 2018.

Renee Spence

An attorney representing the Augustus family.

Scott Rauscher

Co-counsel representing the Augustus family.

Dillan Halley

The Chicago police officer involved in the shooting of Harith Augustus.

Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA)

The agency that investigated the Augustus shooting and faulted the officers' tactics.

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What they’re saying

“We are thrilled that the Appellate Court … saw the injustice of the first trial and ordered a new one.”

— Renee Spence, Attorney, Loevy & Loevy

“Another opportunity to seek justice for Mr. Augustus.”

— Scott Rauscher, Co-counsel

“Strongly disagrees with the court's decision and is considering next steps.”

— City of Chicago spokesperson

What’s next

The case now heads back to Cook County circuit court for scheduling and more pretrial maneuvering. The appellate court did not set a new trial date.

The takeaway

The appellate ruling sets the stage for a new, highly scrutinized trial that could reshape the narrative around the Augustus shooting and lead to further reforms of Chicago police tactics and training. The case remains a high-profile flashpoint, with issues of racial bias in the justice system at the forefront.