Ex-Chicago cop Burge arrested in torture cases
With people lined up outside a courtroom trying to get a glimpse, former Chicago Police Cmdr. Jon Burge pleaded not guilty Monday to federal charges of lying about torture during his reign in the department.
Burge, 60, was arrested last week at his Apollo Beach, Fla., home on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.
(Sun-Times)
He's accused of lying under oath in a lawsuit accusing him and his underlings of using heavy-handed tactics --including electric shock and smothering -- against suspects to win confessions.
Monday was the first time Burge faced dozens of Chicagoans who demonstrated outside the courthouse against allegations that have been a part of the city's history for more than two decades.
The size of the crowd and emotions his case conjures were enough for the U.S. Marshals office here to decide Burge shouldn't walk out the front doors of the Dirksen Federal Building.
"Due to the nature of the case . . . we did let him out another exit," Deputy U.S. Marshal John O'Malley said. "We weigh the overall security of the building."
This was in stark contrast to Burge's court appearance last week in Tampa, Fla., where onlookers only stopped to ask: "Who is that?"
In Chicago, U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow tentatively set the trial date for May 11 and said Burge would not have to appear at a November status date. He is free on $250,000 bond.
Burge's lawyer, Richard Beuke, said that, living in Florida, it's a "fairly substantial expense for him to fly here."
That drew a small outburst from some spectators in the crowded courtroom. Beuke noted he's received thousands of pages of evidence to review.
Burge appeared in court wearing a dark suit and walked with the assistance of a cane. Burge said he had trouble walking because of recent knee surgery.
Outside, protesters chanted "Jon Burge should do time!" They carried signs in support of Aaron Patterson, who was freed from Death Row in 2003 because of his claims against Burge. Patterson is back in prison now on a new conviction.
Demetrice Griffin took the day off from her teaching job in Evanston to be at the courthouse.
Griffin alleged Burge got a confession out of her late brother, Larry Griffin, when he was 16.
"He hung him by his feet outside a window to force a confession," she said.
Ald. Ed Smith (28th) was in the crowd too, and among the aldermen who last year sent U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald a letter asking that he bring charges against Burge.
"I'm just euphoric about this whole thing," Smith said. "Jon Burge should have been in jail 20 years ago. But he slipped through the cracks."