Former Chicago police commander Jon Burge arrives for sentencing on Jan. 20, 2011.
(E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune / July 23, 2012)
Aldermen today recommended
paying more than $7 million to two men who say they were tortured by
former Police Cmdr. John Burge, a move that means former Mayor Richard
Daley will not be deposed about what he may have known about one of the
cases.
Michael Tillman spent more than 23 years in prison for
the 1986 murder and rape of a South Side woman. He said he confessed
after Chicago police detectives under Burge's command punched him, hit
him with a telephone book and put a plastic bag over his head, as well
as other torture and coercion.
In addition to Burge and other
police officials, Tillman sued Daley, who was Cook County state's
attorney at the time of his conviction. Daley agreed to give a
deposition in the case, but the $5.375 million settlement Tillman has
agreed to means that deposition will not go forward.
Flint
Taylor, Tillman's attorney, said he was disappointed he would not have a
chance to question Daley, but said Daley remains connected to the Burge
cases. "I don't think Daley's name will ever be removed from the
pantheon of conspirators in the Burge torture cases," Taylor said. There
are other pending Burge cases, and Daley could still be questioned as
part of one of those, Taylor said.
A spokeswoman for Daley could not immediately be reached for comment.
In a statement, Tillman said he was "pleased that the city and county,
by paying these settlements to me, have finally recognized that their
people did me wrong."
"I am sorry that Mayor Daley will not be
questioned in my case, but that does not change the fact that he did me
and my family wrong," Tillman's statement reads. "Not only that, but he
did at least another 100 torture victims wrong while he was state's
attorney and mayor. If he had done what he should have, I would not have
been tortured, lived with the fear of the death penalty, or sent to
prison."
paying more than $7 million to two men who say they were tortured by
former Police Cmdr. John Burge, a move that means former Mayor Richard
Daley will not be deposed about what he may have known about one of the
cases.
Michael Tillman spent more than 23 years in prison for
the 1986 murder and rape of a South Side woman. He said he confessed
after Chicago police detectives under Burge's command punched him, hit
him with a telephone book and put a plastic bag over his head, as well
as other torture and coercion.
In addition to Burge and other
police officials, Tillman sued Daley, who was Cook County state's
attorney at the time of his conviction. Daley agreed to give a
deposition in the case, but the $5.375 million settlement Tillman has
agreed to means that deposition will not go forward.
Flint
Taylor, Tillman's attorney, said he was disappointed he would not have a
chance to question Daley, but said Daley remains connected to the Burge
cases. "I don't think Daley's name will ever be removed from the
pantheon of conspirators in the Burge torture cases," Taylor said. There
are other pending Burge cases, and Daley could still be questioned as
part of one of those, Taylor said.
A spokeswoman for Daley could not immediately be reached for comment.
In a statement, Tillman said he was "pleased that the city and county,
by paying these settlements to me, have finally recognized that their
people did me wrong."
"I am sorry that Mayor Daley will not be
questioned in my case, but that does not change the fact that he did me
and my family wrong," Tillman's statement reads. "Not only that, but he
did at least another 100 torture victims wrong while he was state's
attorney and mayor. If he had done what he should have, I would not have
been tortured, lived with the fear of the death penalty, or sent to
prison."
The Finance Committee also recommended paying $1.8
million to David Fauntleroy, who spent 25 years in prison for a 1983
murder and said he too was tortured into confessing by detectives under
Burge.
million to David Fauntleroy, who spent 25 years in prison for a 1983
murder and said he too was tortured into confessing by detectives under
Burge.
The City Council will consider both proposed settlements Wednesday.
Even before the newly
proposed Burge settlements, the city has spent nearly $33 million on
litigation related to Burge’s alleged abuses, according to city
Corporation Counsel Steve Patton. Of that amount, $18 million went to
settlements, with the rest going to legal fees.
proposed Burge settlements, the city has spent nearly $33 million on
litigation related to Burge’s alleged abuses, according to city
Corporation Counsel Steve Patton. Of that amount, $18 million went to
settlements, with the rest going to legal fees.
If the council approves the Tillman and Fauntleroy settlements, the overall Burge tab will rise to nearly $41 million.
Taylor called on Mayor Rahm Emanuel to issue an apology to the Burge
victims, and to Chicago's African-American population, for the torture
cases.
Taylor called on Mayor Rahm Emanuel to issue an apology to the Burge
victims, and to Chicago's African-American population, for the torture
cases.
Burge is serving 4 1/2 years in federal prison for lying about the torture and abuse of suspects.
By Scotty Reid, 5/16/2013, news, politics
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By Scotty Reid, 5/13/2013, news, politics,
