Freedom Closer for Aaron Patterson; Bond Funds Needed
By Kari Lydersen

In the almost 15 years he has been in prison, Death Row inmate Aaron Patterson's case has gained widespread local, national and international attention.

Patterson, who claims he is innocent of the 1986 double murder for which he was convicted and sentenced to die, has gained supporters in Europe and around the U.S. who have been vocally calling for a new trial. No physical evidence links Patterson to the crime, and key witnesses whose testimony resulted in his conviction have since recanted and said they were coerced into testifying. Patterson alleges he was tortured by former Area Two police commander Jon Burge and his underlings, and that an unsigned confession that was used to convict him was fabricated. Burge was fired from the force after an internal investigation found him guilty of the systematic torture of over 40 African-American men.

Currently, Patterson's lawyers and a coalition of Chicago lawyers and activists are calling for a special prosecutor to investigate torture and cover-ups at Area Two, and to investigate conflict of interest by State's Attorney Dick Devine in the matter. Devine was formerly partner in a law firm that represented Burge in a civil suit resulting from the torture allegations. Devine's office and the Chicago Police Department News Affairs said they could not comment on Patterson's case since it is the subject of ongoing litigation.

Patterson was awarded a new evidentiary hearing by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2000, and since then the wheels of justice have been slowly turning. The hearing was finally held this winter, and on March 11 a judge is scheduled to hand down the decision on Patterson's request for a new trial.

"It looks good," said his mother, JoAnne Patterson. "The state can still appeal, but we're hoping he will be out soon."

If Patterson is awarded a new trial, he will need to meet bond to be released from jail while the proceedings are ongoing. The Aaron Patterson Project, a committee of his family, friends and supporters, has been rallying to raise an estimated $100,000 for his bond. (One must raise 10 percent of the bond to be released while a trial is pending). On Feb. 22, nationally-known rapper Common, who grew up on the South Side near Patterson, will headline a forum and benefit for Patterson's bond. The forum, which is being held in the gym at Malcolm X College (1901 W. Van Buren), will also feature DePaul Law School professor Michael Goodwin and Fred Hampton Jr., son of the famed slain civil rights leader and a well-known activist in his own right.

The event will be hosted by WVON radio host Monique Carradine. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and tickets are $15.

"We need to get him out," said JoAnne Patterson.