Perjury Charges Warned for Witness Who Says Chicago Police Detective Forced Him to Lie
New State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s Office Investigates
Wilfredo Torres, a man who claims he was framed for murder by former Chicago Police detective Reynaldo Guevara, is facing ominous signs for the future of wrongful conviction cases under new State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke.
Warning of Perjury Charges
On Tuesday, Torres was set to take the stand in a post-conviction hearing in the 1990 murder of his friend, 15-year-old Peter Cruz. Nearly 35 years ago, Torres claims he identified Tyrece Williams as Cruz’s shooter after Guevara showed him Williams’ picture and told Torres to pick Williams out of a photo lineup, then threatened him and punched him in the gut when he refused. However, Assistant State’s Attorney Linda Walls, head of the state’s attorney’s post-conviction unit, warned Torres that he should not take the stand without consulting with a lawyer because the office would investigate him for potential perjury charges.
Intimidation Tactics
Bonjean, Torres’s defense attorney, believes the threat of charges was intended to intimidate recanting witnesses from coming forward. “If my client comes into court and speaks truthfully about the misconduct of Ray Guevara, that it is in fact the state’s intention under this new administration, that they will investigate him for perjury and he will face imprisonment?” she asked the judge. “Are we going back to the dark days of threatening recanters with imprisonment to keep people in prison longer?”
Cook County’s Reputation
Under the previous State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office saw hundreds of convictions overturned based on misconduct by police and prosecutors. However, it remains to be seen whether this pace of justice will continue under O’Neill Burke. During her campaign, O’Neill Burke was criticized for her role as the prosecutor in a juvenile court case in which an 11-year-old boy was convicted based on a false confession.
Consequences
Veteran Cook County defense attorney Kulmeet “Bob” Galhotra believes that going after witnesses who recant their testimony would be a heavy-handed move, especially in cases where allegations of police misconduct are involved. “I think, especially where you have accusations of police misconduct, it would come off as pretty heavy-handed,” he said.
Conclusion
The investigation of Torres for potential perjury charges sends a chilling message to witnesses who come forward to recant their testimony. It is unclear whether this is a deliberate tactic to intimidate witnesses and silence them, or if it is simply a mistake on the part of the office. However, one thing is certain: it will be up to Judge Howard to decide whether Torres is allowed to take the stand and tell his story, or if he will face the threat of perjury charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is Wilfredo Torres facing perjury charges?
A: Torres is facing perjury charges because Assistant State’s Attorney Linda Walls believes that he may be committing a Class 3 felony by testifying in court.
Q: Why is this a concerning development?
A: This development is concerning because it could intimidate witnesses who come forward to recant their testimony, potentially silencing them and preventing them from speaking the truth.
Q: What is the current state of wrongful conviction cases in Cook County?
A: Under the previous State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office saw hundreds of convictions overturned based on misconduct by police and prosecutors. However, it remains to be seen whether this pace of justice will continue under new State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke.
Q: What is the impact of this development on Cook County’s reputation?
A: This development could damage Cook County’s reputation as a place where justice is served and wrongful convictions are overturned. It could also undermine public trust in the criminal justice system.
