Plaintiff:
Oscar Walden, Jr.
Incident date:
01/11/1952
Location:
10600 S. Torrence Ave.
Allegations:
Walden, Jr. was arrested by officers without any legal justification while riding a bus on his way to work. The officers were investigating the rape of a woman in the Roseland neighborhood that happened on Nov. 24, 1951. At the time of his arrest, Walden, Jr. had not been identified, either in person or by photograph, as the attacker in the rape. Officers then told the rape victim they'd arrested a "colored man" and wanted her to identify him. At the station officers questioned Walden, Jr. in front of the victim. The victim didn't say anything or identify Walden, Jr. as her attacker. Officers moved Walden, Jr. to another room and asked him where he was the night of the rape. During their questioning officers denied Walden, Jr. access to a lawyer and wouldn't let him call his wife. Officers then accused him of rape, kicked him in the shins and gave him a lie detector test before locking him in a cell for the night. The next day Officer Faculak lied to Walden, Jr., saying he'd failed the lie detector, in order to coerce him into a confession. Officer Faculak continued to threaten Walden, Jr. into confessing, saying he'd be transferred to another police station where "they are pretty rough" if he didn't admit to the rape. Officer Faculak promised leniency if he confessed but Walden, Jr. maintained his innocence. Officer Faculak then bent Walden, Jr.'s fingers back and scratched them to cause bleeding. Det. Sweitzer hit Walden, Jr.'s head a few times and said, "You are lying, nigger." Officers also took turns kicking Walden, Jr.'s shins. Officers next threatened to get a rope, strip Walden, Jr. naked and hang him from a high bar while they beat him with a rubber hose. Officers also said they would get his family evicted, arrested and put in different jails. Terrified, Walden, Jr. signed a false statement. Police also forced him to apologize to the victim in front of them. Walden, Jr. was charged and convicted of rape and sentenced to 75 years in prison. On Nov. 18, 1965, after serving 14 years of his sentence, Walden, Jr. was granted parole. On Jan. 13, 2003 Walden, Jr. received a pardon of innocence.