Destroy/conceal/fabricate evidenceForced confessionThreats/intimidationFalse arrest or reportPhysical forceOther charges filed
Plaintiff:
Eric Caine
Incident date:
05/01/1986
Location:
727 E. 111th St.
Allegations:
Caine was convicted of the double homicide of an elderly Hispanic couple in South Chicago in 1986. Among the officers present at the crime scene was Lt. Burge, who worked with other area police officers to charge Caine with a crime he did not commit. The officers forced Caine and his co-defendant into making false confessions by using psychological and physical torture. While alone in an interrogation room, Caine's co-defendant scratched into the bench that he had been tortured and that his statements to the police were false. After hours of torture, the co-defendant signed a false statement about his involvement in the murders. He also claimed, through instruction from Burge and other officers, that Caine had been present at the murder scene. Caine was arrested at his mother's home based solely on the co-defendant's coerced statement. In the interrogation room, Caine insisted he knew nothing about the killings. Officer Madigan proceeded to coach Caine with details of the murder for his statement. When Caine refused to sign the prepared statement, Madigan struck him with a cupped hand on the side of his head, rupturing his eardrum. In pain from the ruptured eardrum and fearing additional torture, Caine signed the statement. Caine was convicted of murder, home invasion and residential burglary. He spent 25 years in prison until he was ultimately exonerated.