On Monday, civil rights lawyer Jennifer Bonjean accused Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke of using intimidation tactics against witnesses in police misconduct cases. Bonjean alleged that O’Neill Burke instructed prosecutors to threaten her client, Wilfredo Torres, with perjury charges to discourage him and others from recanting testimony in such cases. Bonjean claimed these actions were meant to send a message to defense attorneys handling wrongful conviction cases that there’s “a new sheriff in town.” O’Neill Burke assumed office just a month ago.
The accusations arose during a court hearing before Judge Carol Howard. The case involved Tyrece Williams, who was convicted in 1991 for the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Peter Cruz in Logan Square. Williams is seeking a new trial, partially based on Torres’ claim that police forced him to falsely identify Williams as the killer.
Initially, Torres was scheduled to testify in December, shortly after O’Neill Burke was sworn in. However, during a hearing last month, Assistant State’s Attorney Linda Walls, head of the post-conviction unit, advised Torres to consult a lawyer before testifying. Walls stated that her office might investigate his claims and that there could be legal consequences for committing perjury under oath.
“As an assistant state’s attorney, I cannot allow a citizen to commit a felony without having legal counsel,” Walls had said, according to the Sun-Times. Following this development, Torres hired Bonjean to represent him.
Torres’ testimony is central to Williams’ request for a new trial. The case highlights ongoing tensions between the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office and advocates working to overturn wrongful convictions tied to police misconduct.
So clearly no interest in actually getting the truth or justice- just in protecting the FOP and everyone else whose careers and paychecks advance by locking people up… absolutely disgusting.