(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A federal civil rights lawsuit brought against Chicago Police Department and the city begins Tuesday as a man who was a child at the time of his murder conviction seeks damages after he said he was framed by police.
Adam Gray was 14 years old in 1993 when fire in a South Side two-flat killed two people. A girl who lived in the building told police he had threatened her, because she was dating his friend.
A store clerk said she sold the boy gasoline. The boy confessed.
Gray was charged as an adult with first-degree murder and aggravated arson. He was sentenced to life in 1996.
Both witnesses later recanted. They said they had been pressured by police. Gray said he confessed under pressure after a 7 hour interrogation.
Lawyers presented evidence questioning the science used by arson investigators.
In 2017, Gray’s conviction was vacated and he was freed. He’d been locked up for 24 years. Gray was later awarded about $225,000 in compensation. Now, he’s seeking damages.
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