Innocent man in prison for decades while lawyers conceal their client’s confession
The land of the Free?
For nearly 26 years, the affidavit was sealed in an
envelope and stored in a locked box, tucked away with the lawyer’s
passport and will. Sometimes he stashed the box in his bedroom closet, other
times under his bed.
It stayed there — year after year, decade after decade…
It said…an innocent man was behind bars. His name was Alton Logan. He did not kill a security guard in a McDonald’s restaurant in January 1982.
“In fact,” the document said, “another person was responsible…”
But, the ethics of lawyer-client privilege - as defined by the great state of Illinois in the Land of Justice for All - allowed two public defenders to keep hidden the evidence that could free an innocent man.
It stayed there — year after year, decade after decade…
It said…an innocent man was behind bars. His name was Alton Logan. He did not kill a security guard in a McDonald’s restaurant in January 1982.
“In fact,” the document said, “another person was responsible…”
But, the ethics of lawyer-client privilege - as defined by the great state of Illinois in the Land of Justice for All - allowed two public defenders to keep hidden the evidence that could free an innocent man.
Posted: Sun - April 13, 2008 at 12:59 PM