Man, 79, Loses Police Torture Lawsuit

CHICAGO (WBBM/CBS) -- Jurors have ruled against a 79-year-old man, who was suing on claims that he was tortured into a rape confession by Chicago Police.

Oscar Walden Jr., 79, sued the City of Chicago, claiming police tortured him into admitting to the rape of a white woman on Nov. 24, 1951, on the city's South Side, the Chicago Tribune reported.nearly 60 years ago.

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Walden was pardoned by then-Gov. George Ryan in 2002 and asked for damages of $15 million. But a U.S. District Court jury rejected Walden's claims and ruled in the city's favor.

Some jurors said records of the case didn't support allegations of coercion.

At trial, Walden said he had to sleep on the floor in the old "death row" in the basement of the Cook County Jail, where an electric chair was once located. He also testified that he had a forced circumcision when he arrived at Stateville Prison to serve his sentence after conviction.

Walden spent 14 years in prison before being released in 1965. He went on to earn advanced degrees, open a business and get a Realtor's license.

In:
• Rape
• Oscar Walden Jr.