Citing evidence of torture, judge orders man convicted of double-murder released

He was convicted of a double murder and was supposed to serve life in prison. But on Thursday a Cook County judge ordered Jaime Hauad, 37, released after serving 21 years behind bars.

The mitigating circumstances: evidence that supports Hauad's claim that he was tortured while being interrogated by Chicago Police detectives following his arrest for the gang-related shooting deaths in 1997.

The Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission - created by lawmakers initially to investigate cases of alleged torture associated with former Chicago Police Cmdr. Jon Burge - determined last year that Hauad's claim of torture was credible.

Two key pieces of evidence to support the allegation were Hauad's sneakers. Police are accused of using an industrial-strength paper cutter to lop the tips off the shoes and threatening to cut off his toes if he didn't confess.

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