30.3 C
Accra
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Independent AfricaChicago to pay $9M to man wrongfully imprisoned for 25 years

Date:

Chicago to pay $9M to man wrongfully imprisoned for 25 years

A Chicago man, who spent 25 years in prison after he was allegedly coerced to falsely confess to a murder he says he did not commit, will be paid $9 million by the City Council.

According to WTTW, the investigation into the 1991 shooting death of Edward Porter – for which Patrick Prince was convicted – was overseen by a Chicago Police detective accused of usually framing suspects.

The money awarded to Prince was unanimously approved by the Chicago City Council’s Finance Committee on Monday. The city council met on Wednesday to hold a final vote for the settlement.

Prince was 19 when he was handed a 60-year prison sentence after he was found guilty of first-degree murder. He was convicted in 1994. But Prince said Chicago Police Detective Kriston Kato forced him to falsely confess to the murder. The confession allegedly came after the detective physically assaulted Prince while he was in handcuffs.

Related stories

In 2017, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office moved to drop the charges against Prince after a judge granted him a new trial, per WTTW. He was released shortly after.

“This is a case that arose during the times, thinking, sentiments, customs and practices of the 1990s,” Cook County Circuit Court Judge Thaddeus Wilson said at the time. “Petitioner (Prince) was just 19 years old. There were no eyewitnesses to the actual shooting that testified at trial. No physical evidence connected (Prince) to the crime. No forensic evidence connects (Prince) to the crime. The only evidence against (Prince) was his confession.”

“Allegations and findings of past misconduct by police during questioning of suspects are now at an unprecedented high and we now better understand the psychology of false confessions,” Wilson added. “To ensure substantial justice be done, defendant should be granted a new trial.”

State officials also granted Prince a certificate of innocence. That decision was based on testimonies from four witnesses who claimed a different man fatally shot Porter.

 

Source: Face2faceafrica

[forminator_poll id="710479"]

Latest stories

God bless Ibrahim Mahama, others who contributed towards my treatment – Kofi Adomah

Renowned media personality Kofi Adomah Nwanwanii has expressed heartfelt...

Kumawu residents call for help weeks after storm wrecks homes

Two weeks after a fierce storm swept through Kumawu...

Krack Afriq, B.Brefo to release new single titled ‘Odoyewu’ on March 26

Afrobeats sensation Krack Afriq has announced his upcoming collaboration...

Dampare was a unique IGP – DSP Danso

The Western Regional Director of the Motor Traffic and...

Ghana’s recovery is possible, but not guaranteed – Joe Jackson

CEO of Dalex Finance, Joe Jackson, has described the...

Many officers felt unhappy under Dampare’s leadership – Ex-CID 

Retired Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP...

Related stories

Egyptian man pulls 279-tonne train using his teeth

Egyptian wrestler and strongman Ashraf Kabonga achieved a remarkable...

South Africa secures €4.7bn EU investment to boost economy

The European Union has committed €4.7 billion ($5.1 billion)...

Gaza’s food crisis worsens as Israel shuts supply routes

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is deepening as soaring...

Four independent candidates, including Nguema, to contest Gabon’s presidency

Gabon’s interim president, Brice Oligui Nguema, will compete against...

President Embalo declares candidacy for second term

President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has announced his...

US, Israel oppose UN-endorsed Arab intentions to rebuild Gaza

The Arab League has officially endorsed a plan, led...

Tunisia divided over trial of opposition leaders

A highly controversial trial involving 40 opposition figures including...