IL Alton Logan: Murder charges dismissed in 1982 case

From the Chicago Tribune--

Murder charges dismissed in 1982 case
South Side man Alton Logan spent 26 years in prison until another man
allegedly confessed; seeks apology from Mayor Richard Daley

By Matthew Walberg | Chicago Tribune reporter
12:04 PM CDT, September 4, 2008

Alton Logan, a South Side man who spent 26 years in prison for a
killing to which another man allegedly confessed, will not have to
face another trial on the charges, a Cook County judge ruled Thursday.

Judge James Schreier said, based on the evidence presented about the
case, he believed the Illinois attorney general's office did the right
thing by dismissing the case.

"From all that I have heard, Mr. Logan, you did not commit this
murder," Schreier said, referring to Logan's conviction of murdering a
security guard in a McDonald's restaurant. He was released on bail in
April after two attorneys revealed that one of their clients had
admitted to fatally shooting the guard in January 1982.

Schreier called Logan's conviction and 26 years in prison regrettable
and said, "You have, to borrow a phrase, endured a season in
purgatory, but now to borrow a saying, your long nightmare is over.
Hopefully, you will enjoy a long life as a free man and hopefully see
your White Sox in another World Series."

Logan's family and friends, who had packed the courtroom along with
members of the news media, erupted in cheers after the judge concluded
his remarks.

After court, Logan walked out to the building's lobby, his arms around
his aunt, Barbara Cannon, and one of the lawyers that represented him,
Assistant Public Defender Harold Winston.

"I'm happy that I can finally get on with my life, try to do some of
the things I want to do."

Asked what he wanted to do, Logan said, "Live."

"I've been telling everybody for the last 26 years, 'I didn't do
this,' " Logan said. "And finally they did the right thing."

The judge's comments in court were preceded by those of Assistant
Atty. Gen. Richard Schwind, who told the judge that after
investigating the case the state concluded it could not meet the
burden of proof and therefore dropped all charges against Logan, 54.

Logan said that now he can get a job, perhaps in construction or
plumbing, which was his trade.

Even though he was out on bail while the Illinois attorney general's
office reviewed the case, it was difficult for him to find work.

"People were hesitant to hire me because they didn't know what the
outcome was going to be," Logan said. "Now that they know the outcome,
it shouldn't be that hard."

Logan said that his days of sitting in court are far from over—except
that now he plans to be on the offensive. He said he believes he was
railroaded nearly three decades ago, and plans to sue the county for
compensation for his lost years.

"I'm planning on litigation, so I can't go into the reasons why I know
this [about being railroaded], but I know this."

His first step will be to petition the governor's office for a pardon,
which he said he will do immediately.

He was alternately jubilant and emotional as he soaked in his freedom.
At one point, he interrupted his comments to reporters to take a phone
call from his younger sister.

"Hey, sis, it's over, sis," He said. "Did you hear what I said? It's
over with. I'm free, I no longer have to deal with it."

And he cried as he thanked the public defenders that helped to win his
freedom, and his family for sticking with him.

"If it hadn't been for them believing what I was telling them, I'd
still be there," he said, breaking down in tears. "My family has been
with me all this time because they knew the truth. Without family
behind me . . . I don't think I could have made it. I wouldn't have
made it."

His aunt, Barbara Cannon, said she was always certain Logan would
eventually be cleared.

"I knew it was coming—I just didn't know when," Cannon said. "But we
prayed this before we got out of the car today, and we asked the Lord
to let this be the last day. And he heard us, even in the rain, he
heard us. God is good."

Winston said Logan can expect about $200,000 in compensation, but
Logan said that he would also like an apology—and he wants it to come
from Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.

"At the time of my conviction, Richard M. Daley was the state's
attorney," Logan said. "He was the man that signed the death
certificate. That's the only apology I want, but I know I'll never get
it."

mwalberg @tribune.com

Copyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-alton-logan-web-sep05,0,2318126.story

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Indigo Ace (05.09.2008 20:44)