Forum/Discussions

Immediate Press Release
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Cook County Criminal Court Building
2650 S. California Ave.
Chicago, IL
Time: 2:30PM
(News Conference to follow court ruling at approximately 3:00PM)*
Inside Court house media pit on first floor

CONTACT PERSONS: Mark A. Clements, Wrongful Conviction Coordinator, Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, 312-939-2750, cell 847-287-1382, and Mr. Ted Pearson, Co/Chairperson Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, 312-939-2750

To ensure that media have correct number to call for additional information…call 847-276-1382. We will be available up until 2:00PM for media inquiry

Our Illinois Supreme court ruled in February, 2012 emphatically and unequivocally reaffirmed the time-honored principle that no conviction in the State of Illinois can rest in whole or in part on a confession that was the product or torture or other physical coercion. People Vs. Stanley Wrice, 962 N.E. 2d 934 (2012).

On Wednesday, March 12, 2014, 2:30PM cook county chief Judge Paul Biebel will make his log and awaited decision in the case of People Vs. Johnny Plummer and Vincent Wade who through their attorneys filed a post conviction class action petition seeking relief for more then 100 men that remain incarcerated as the result of torture.

Each person listed in the class are individuals that were taken to area two or three violent Crime Units, tortured to make or sign confessions that incriminated them and caused their convictions. Jon Burge operated in the capacity as a Chicago police officer in 1970. In 1972 he was promoted to the detectives division and that is when complaints of torture first started to surface that he and subordinates beat men in unthinkable ways to gain confessions.

Johnny Plummer was just 15 years old when taken to area three violent crime unit, tortured until he confessed. Judge Biebel will decide today whether all torture victims are entitled to automatic evidentiary hearings on their claim of torture.

Hundreds have complained of beatings with fist, flashlights, telephone books, and with other objects while some have provided credible evidence that while interrogated by police they were shocked with a electric stock box or had their genitals and testicles grabbed and squeezed, slapped, raped with a cattle prod, having a typewriter cover placed over their head to attempt to suffocate, called racial epithets and other degrading name’s to obtain confessions.

The mother of Johnny Plummer will be made available to the media. Fundamental fairness requires Plummer equal protection and due process. In the midst of a snow storm we will in be in court standing against torture supporting all men rights to a impartial hearing on their claim of torture.

*News conference will start immediately after the decision has been made by Judge Biebel and will be held inside the criminal court building media pit.

Sincerely:

Mark A. Clements,
Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression
Wrongful Conviction Coordinator
312-039-2750-office
847-276-1382-Cell phone