Man alleging '83 torture by Burge crew gets new trial - Been in prison 24 years

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http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/604742,CST-NWS-burge16.article

October 16, 2007

BY ERIC HERMAN Criminal Courts Reporter [e-mail]
In an unprecedented move, a Cook County judge threw out the murder convictions of a man who said he was tortured into confessing by detectives working under former Chicago Police Cmdr. Jon Burge.

The ruling by Judge Thomas Sumner marks the first time a judge in the Cook County Criminal Courts building has vacated a conviction based on allegations of torture under Burge. James Andrews, 45, has been incarcerated for the last 24 years -- and will now get a new trial.

"This is a wonderful day. We're ecstatic," said Joan Alford, one of Andrews' three sisters, who attended Monday's court hearing.

Wearing a white shirt, dark pants and leg irons, Andrews turned and smiled at his sisters after Sumner's ruling. The judge set bond at $300,000 -- and Andrews could go free if his family comes up with 10 percent, or $30,000.

Alford said she was not sure if the family could come up with the money. "That's a lot," she said.

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1. Defense attorneys have complained about this over twenty years n/t