Ruling clears way for questioning of Daley in torture case

CHICAGO (AP) - A federal judge has ruled a lawsuit accusing former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley of ignoring evidence of police torture by ex-police commander Jon Burge can go forward.

Judge Amy St. Eve's ruling Tuesday means Daley may be forced to give sworn testimony about what he knew of torture revealed when Daley was Cook County state's attorney.

Daley has been ordered to give a sworn deposition in other lawsuits over torture claims, but the city settled those cases before he was questioned.

St. Eve's ruling concerns a lawsuit alleging Alonzo Smith was beaten by detectives under Burge's command during an investigation into a 1983 slaying. He sued in March after a judge found enough evidence of torture for a new trial, prompting prosecutors to dismiss the case.

A Daley spokeswoman had no immediate comment.