Chicago Injury Attorney Blog

After spending 23 years in jail for a murder and rape he did not commit, Michael Tillman wants his day in civil court. Tillman has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Chicago and several police officers for Chicago police brutality.

He is accusing former Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge and Sergeant John Byrne “sadistically tortured” him and his girlfriend Princess Williams after they voluntarily went to police for questioning about the murder of Betty Howard. Tillman and Howard lived in the same apartment building and her body was found in a vacant unit on July 21, 1986.

Tillman claims that he was physically assaulted, 7-up was poured into his nose, a plastic bag was placed over his head, and cigarette lighter flames were waved under his arm. His Chicago police brutality lawsuit contends that Steven Bell was brought in for questioning and tortured until he agreed to implicate Tillman and himself by making false statements.

In 1986, Tillman was sentenced to life in prison. This year, he was released from jail and a new trial was granted. He was found innocent in February.

Tillman’s Chicago police torture lawsuit claims that he suffered physical, emotional, and psychological injuries, as well as depression, boredom, despair, loneliness, range, anxiety, and fear from the police torture and the more than two decades he spent behind bars. He is also seeking damages for wrongful conviction, deprivation of a fair trial, false arrest, wrongful conviction, and other claims against Cook County, the City of Chicago, Mayor Daley, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office, Burge, Byrne, and other Chicago cops.

Michael Tillman Suing Chicago Over Alleged Police Torture, MyFoxChicago, July 22, 2010

Alleged torture victim sues Daley, Burge, Chicago Tribune, July 22, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Innocent Burge Torture Victim Freed From Prison, CBS2, January 14, 2010

Jon Burge GUILTY: Jury Convicts Alleged Police Torturer Of Lying Under Oath, Huffington Post, June 28, 2010