May 28, 2010

The Midwest Coalition for Human Rights weekly report on the Jon Burge trial

Four years after the Midwest Coalition for Human Rights briefed the United Nations Committee Against Torture on the the Burge torture cases, the federal trial of Jon Burge commenced. Burge, former Chicago police commander who tortured hundreds of suspects in the 1970’s and 1980’s, is being tried at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. He is being charged with two counts of obstruction of justice and one count of perjury for having lied about his participation in and knowledge of the torture of suspects under his control. This is the first time Burge is facing criminal charges relating to the Chicago Police Torture Cases; the statute of limitations on allegations of torture in this matter has expired.

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, jurors were selected for the trial. Of the 28 jurors who were interviewed by U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow, 13 were dismissed for various reasons. Some were dismissed after they expressed strong negative feelings towards Burge due to concern that they would be unable to act impartially in the trial. The final jury selection contains three African Americans out of the 12 jurors and five alternates.

Betsy Biffl, trail attorney of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, gave the prosecution’s opening statements on Wednesday. The prosecution accused officers in the Chicago Police Department former Area 2 headquarters of having covered up allegations of torture. Defense attorney William Gamboney denied allegations of torture against Burge. Gamboney said “He’s an honorable man, he did not torture anybody”.

The opening testimony was given by Anthony Holmes on Wednesday. Holmes described the agony he experienced at the hands of Burge where, in the early 1970’s, he was subjected to electric shocks and suffocation with plastic bags. In his testimony Holmes said “I just couldn’t take it”, and after undergoing repeated torture he confessed to having committed murder. Holmes ended up spending 30 years in prison for his confession.

On Thursday Melvin Jones testified that in the 1980's Burge applied electric shocks to his feet, inner thighs, and genitals. Jones also described how Burge put a cocked gun to his head and hit him on the top of his head with a stapler. In his testimony Jones said of Burge “He said he was going to blow my black head off.”

The trial will continue on Tuesday, June 1st. The Midwest Coalition for Human Rights will post weekly reports on the trial every Friday throughout its duration.

For more information on the Chicago Police Torture Cases see Midwest Coalition for Human Rights resources.

This week's news on the Jon Burge trial:

Chicago Tribune: 13 prospective jurors in Burge trial dismissed – May 24, 2010

Chicago Sun Times: Witness: Burge put me through hell with shock treatment, suffocation - May 26, 2010

Chicago Tribune: Federal Trial of Burge Opens with Torture Allegations – May 26, 2010

Chicago Sun Times: Witness testifies of electric shock to groin area in Burge trial - May 27, 2010

Huffington Post: Jon Burge Trial: Police Torture Described By First Witness As Trial Begins – May 27, 2010

National Public Radio: Ex-Chicago Police Officer on Trial for Torture – May 27, 2010