Jackie Wilson
Jackie Wilson from Chicago, Illinois, spent 40 years behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit.
In 1982, the Illinois State Attorney and officers of the Chicago Police Department conspired and accused Jackie Wilson of killing a police officer. Wilson stated that the police officers tortured him to force him to confess to the murder. As a result, he could not stand it and pleaded guilty to a crime that he did not commit. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. He spent 40 years in prison until his case was reviewed in 2018 and charges were dropped against him.
In June 2021, Wilson sued current and former police officers, state attorneys and city officials, alleging they conspired to convict him of crimes they knew he did not commit. He also accuses them of covering up the torture that forced him to confess.
MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:
“After 39 years, it is time for Defendants to be held civilly accountable for their egregious misconduct that caused (Wilson) to nearly die imprisoned for crimes he did not commit,” Wilson’s attorneys wrote.
WTTW
“It’s hard for me to deal with this,” Wilson said. “I should be mad, but if I allow myself to be mad, I will self destruct and eat me up like a cancer.”
abc 7 Chicago
CASE STATUS:
The initiative group has requested the clarification from US President Joseph Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland. The initiative group believes it is important to fight against wrongful convictions and, if necessary, will provide legal and financial assistance to the victim.
Letter to Biden
Letter to Garland
