News

Chicago must pay $5.6 million to ex-gang member's lawyers

Posted January 02, 2018 6:00 am

The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) - The city of Chicago has been ordered to pay nearly $5.6 million in legal fees for a former street gang member who alleged police framed him in a 1984 double murder.

Nathson Fields was awarded $22 million in 2016 after he alleged in a lawsuit that police violated his civil rights by withholding evidence from defense attorneys that could have pointed away from him as the killer of two rival gang members.

Fields was convicted in 1986 of murder. The one-time El Rukn member was released in 2003 and acquitted in a 2009 retrial.

The city could owe tens of thousands of dollars more in legal expenses for Field's attorneys. But U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly hasn't finalized those figures.

Chicago Law Department spokesman Bill McCaffrey said Tuesday the city plans to appeal, calling the fees "excessive."

Article Comments

Article Categories
Chicago Content Providers News Region

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.