Wrongful Conviction Lawsuit Defense Blog : Wrongful Conviction Defense Lawyer & Attorney : Andrew M. Hale Law Firm

 According to the Chicago Sun TImes, Cortez Brown, who previously claimed he was beaten into confessing to two killings, has plead guilty to one of the murders. Brown was sentenced to 40 years in prison by Cook County judge Clayton Crane after he plead guilty. Brown's attorney, Flint Taylor, claims Brown only plead guilty so that he could start life as a free man as soon as possible. But, Assistant Attorney General Vincenzo Chimera presented evidence linking Brown to Sim's murder. Chimera advised the court that a 9mm Taurus gun used in the shooting had been purchased by Brown's mother just weeks before. Hmm. . . . . . .  .

 

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ABC7News in Chicago is reporting that MIchael Tilman may be freed this week after 20 years in prison for the murder of Betty Howard in 1986.  Attorneys for Michael Tillman claim that Jon Burge tortured him. Flint Tyalor of the People's Law Office contends Burge "used a form of water boarding, putting water under his nose or 7Up...they put a gun to his head...they beat him,"  The hearing on TIllman's motion for new trial is set for thursday,  Stay tuned....

In July of 1986, someone attacked Betty Howard in her apartment building. Howard was preparing for her son's two year old birthday, but she didn't show up. Howard's son is believed to have been with her until she was found dead a day later.

At the time, police said Michael Tillman committed the crime. Tillman confessed, was convicted and is serving time.

One quick note:  It is quite amazing to see all these people in the last few years who now claim they were tortured by Jon Burge.  It seems like everyone is claiming Burge tortured them.  Don't be so quick to judge. Betty Howard's daughter still belives that Tillman killed her mother. This is not a case where DNA has been uncovered which exonerates Tilman.  What evidence exists to say TIlman did not commit the crime?  

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Plaintiff Michael Evans has filed his appellate brief with the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Evans had sued ten former Chicago Police Officers claiming they framed him for the rape and murder of nine-year old Lisa Cabassa back in 1976. Evans was convicted of that crime in 1977 and spent 27 years in prison until being released in 2003 based on the results of DNA testing. Evans later received an innocence pardon from Governor Blagojevich. In August 2006, a jury found in favor of the ten Chicago Police Officers and against Evans. Evans had asked the jury to award him over $50 million in damages.The main issue raised in Evans' appeal is that several of the former Officers were allowed to give depositions shortly before trial after having previously asserted their Fifth Amendment rights. Evans claims he was prejudiced by these depositions, but did not ask District Court Judge David Coar to continue the trial date. The ten former Chicago Police Officers were represented by Andrew Hale, Eileen Rosen and John Rock from the law firm of Rock Fusco, LLC. Michael Evans was represented by Jon Loevy of Loevy & Loevy, Flint Taylor from the People's Law Office and Locke Bowman from the MacArthur Justice Center.

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