Post by benson on Jul 12, 2017 16:09:01 GMT
Drug convictions for two more tossed as result of Chicago cop's corruption
Two men with separate drug convictions tied to disgraced former Chicago police Sgt. Ronald Watts had their convictions tossed out of court this week, making them the latest to have their names cleared because of Watts' corruption.
Both men — William Carter, 31, and Bruce Powell, 50, — had been released years ago from prison after completing their sentences for drug convictions tied to Watts and his crew.
Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx's office sought the dismissals as part of a continuing review of Watts-related cases by its Conviction Integrity Unit, spokeswoman Tandra Simonton said Tuesday. LeRoy Martin Jr., the presiding judge at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, granted the request Monday.
"The code of silence and a failure of discipline allowed (the Watts team) to run roughshod," said attorney Joel Flaxman, who represented Carter and Powell in the court proceedings.
The Chicago Tribune has written several front-page stories since last year detailing the fallout over Watts' nearly decadelong run of corruption. At least three other defendants had their convictions thrown out previously based on allegations that they were framed by Watts and his team.
www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-two-convictions-tossed-ronald-watts-met-20170711-story.html
Two men with separate drug convictions tied to disgraced former Chicago police Sgt. Ronald Watts had their convictions tossed out of court this week, making them the latest to have their names cleared because of Watts' corruption.
Both men — William Carter, 31, and Bruce Powell, 50, — had been released years ago from prison after completing their sentences for drug convictions tied to Watts and his crew.
Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx's office sought the dismissals as part of a continuing review of Watts-related cases by its Conviction Integrity Unit, spokeswoman Tandra Simonton said Tuesday. LeRoy Martin Jr., the presiding judge at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, granted the request Monday.
"The code of silence and a failure of discipline allowed (the Watts team) to run roughshod," said attorney Joel Flaxman, who represented Carter and Powell in the court proceedings.
The Chicago Tribune has written several front-page stories since last year detailing the fallout over Watts' nearly decadelong run of corruption. At least three other defendants had their convictions thrown out previously based on allegations that they were framed by Watts and his team.
www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-two-convictions-tossed-ronald-watts-met-20170711-story.html