Chicago Man Granted New Trial after Appeals Court Affirms Coerced Murder Confession

In a recent Illinois Appellate Court decision, Jackie Wilson’s 1982 conviction of armed robbery and murder was overturned, granting him a new trial. After what resulted in the “biggest manhunt in Chicago’s history,” Wilson maintained that two police detectives who interrogated him, beat and tortured him into confessing to the crimes. In 2018, after 36 years in prison, Wilson was granted a new trial after Circuit Court Judge William J. Hooks ruled that his confession had indeed been forced. That decision was appealed, leading to the Cook County judge’s affirmation to overturn Wilson’s conviction and grant him a retrial.

If you or a loved one suffered harm due to violations of your rights, reach out to a Grant & Eisenhofer civil rights lawyer to determine whether you can file a lawsuit. Grant & Eisenhofer’s civil rights attorneys can help investigate your claim and may be able to help you seek compensation for your damages.