Samantha Steele DUI Trial: Day One

Samantha Steele's trial began on Monday, May 4, 2026

Trial Day One Update:

The first day of Samantha Steele’s high-profile DUI trial got underway Monday morning in Chicago before Cook County Judge Donald Suriano. Because this is a bench trial, Judge Suriano will decide the verdict without a jury.

The prosecution then called four Chicago police officers to the stand: Officers Yu, Fernandez, Warnstedt, and Tesfai. Their testimony, backed by bodycam footage played in open court, painted a consistent picture. Video showed Steele on her phone speaking with Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton for nearly the entire encounter with police before her arrest. The officers described Steele repeatedly refusing to comply with their commands, refusing to provide her driver’s license, and telling them she was an elected official.

Video: Samantha Steele Refused to Comply with Chicago Police Because She Was an "Elected Official" (credit: Chicago Police)

Officer Yu testified that, once at the hospital, Steele repeatedly asked him, “Is your penis that small?” in response to questions acknowledging her refusal to submit to drug and alcohol testing. All four officers described Steele as visibly intoxicated, noting glassy eyes, slurred speech, a strong odor of alcohol on her breath, and erratic behavior.

Chicago Police Officer Yu testified that Samantha Steele repeated said that he had a small penis while she was under arrest (credit: Chicago Police)

After the lunch break, the prosecution called its first civilian witness — Dylon, a medical technician who lives on North Ashland Avenue. He told the court he was playing video games at home when he saw Steele’s car slam into his parked vehicle. Dylon described Steele as defensive and smelling strongly of alcohol. She refused to get out of her car at first and told him he was “not allowed” to photograph her license plates. She even tried to drive away from the scene, but the front-end damage was so severe the car wouldn’t move. The defense had no questions for Dylon for cross-examination.

Witness Dylon (right) (credit WBEZ)

The trial will resume tomorrow, Tuesday, May 5, at 9:00 a.m. The prosecution is expected to call two medical witnesses, followed by what may be the defense’s first witness.

Trial resumes tomorrow (Tuesday) at 9 a.m. with two medical witnesses for the prosecution and possibly one defense witness.