In Lawsuit, Man Accuses CPD Of Planting Drugs, Beating Him
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Four Chicago police officers, a state's attorney investigator, the city and Cook County were named Thursday in a federal suit by a man who said they framed him and sent him to prison for more than 10 years.
Jermaine Walker was on a full scholarship to Fisk University, studying computer science and superconductivity, when he stopped one night in February 2006 at a convenience store on his way to his sister's North Side home.
Police, apparently seeking drug dealers, stopped him as he pulled out of the parking lot, and he pulled into a nearby alley.
Walker refused to submit to a search. That's his right under the Constitution.
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The suit states that when Walker eventually gave in and got out of the car, he was beaten and drugs were planted on him, in view of a security camera.
Attorney Russell Ainsworth said the officers and a state's attorney's investigator conspired to deny the existence of the camera. The investigator even took photos that made it appear no camera existed.
Walker sought to have additional photos taken, but the motion was denied. He was convicted and sentenced to 22 years in prison.
His brother Russell, who was riding in the car, reached a plea agreement soon thereafter and served six years.
The re-investigation of the case took eight years but Walker was exonerated in March, released from prison and given a certificate of innocence.
WBBM has asked the police department for comment.
