Inmate: I confessed to end Chicago police torture

[May 19, 2009]  CHICAGO (AP) -- An inmate seeking a new murder trial claims he was tortured so badly by Chicago police officers in the 1990s that he would have signed anything, including his murder confession.

Cortez Brown testified before a judge Monday at a hearing to decide whether he'll get a new trial.

Brown was convicted of first-degree murder in 1992. He says he only confessed to the crime after detectives in former Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge's unit beat him.

At least two officers who worked under Burge invoked their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during questioning.

Brown's attorney cited a special prosecutor's report saying there was a history of police torture under Burge, who wasn't required to attend the hearing.

[Associated Press]

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