Wrongfully Convicted Man Sent Back to Prison for New Crimes

 Posted on March 13, 2017 in Criminal Defense

The criminal justice system in Illinois was designed with two primary goals in mind. First, those convicted of breaking the law, in most cases, are provided with opportunities to rehabilitate themselves and turn their lives around. The second goal is punitive in nature, meaning that actions have consequences, and when a person commits a crime, he or she is subject to certain penalties which vary depending on the offense.

In some cases, however, a person may be convicted of a crime that he or she did not commit. A wrongful conviction can be tragic, as a lengthy prison sentence and other penalties can be devastating to the convicted individual and his or her family. But, as a recent case from Chicago demonstrates, being wrongfully convicted is not always enough to deter some people from a life of crime.

A $25 Million Settlement

In 1993, a 13-year-old was arrested, charged as an adult, and convicted for the gang-related murder of a 19-year-old man. In 2007, the case was reopened as witnesses came forward with new information. The boy—who was then in his mid-20s—was released from prison and his conviction was overturned. He subsequently sued the city of the Chicago and the police department, ultimately winning a $25 million verdict for police misconduct.

The newly-made millionaire, however, went right back to work in rebuilding his gang, court documents indicate. The money he received was allegedly used to provide cash bonuses for recruiting new members and funding the Simon City Royals.

Weapons Charges and More

In late 2015, the man was arrested again following a shooting in Irving Park. Court records show that a cell phone video depicts the man shooting an ex-gang member in the legs and driving away. The gang leader and an associate each pled guilty to a single federal weapons violation. In a Chicago courtroom, last week, the man who was wrongfully convicted at age 13 was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for the offense. Charges are still pending in Cook County for the shooting itself, so additional penalties are possible.

Have You Been Wrongfully Accused?

If you have been charged with a crime that you did not commit, you cannot afford to wait. You need a qualified lawyer on your side who will fight to protect your rights. At Luisi Legal Group, we are prepared to work hard in pursuit of the truth, no matter how challenging your case may seem. Call 773-276-5541 for a free consultation with an experienced Chicago criminal defense attorney today.

Sources:

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/illinois/articles/2017-03-09/man-who-returned-to-crime-after-25m-award-being-sentenced

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-gang-leader-multimillion-dollar-settlement-met-20170308-story.html