CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago alderpersons have recommended a more than $11 million settlement for a man who spent two decades in jail after he was wrongly convicted of a 1991 murder.
Anthony Jakes was 15 years old when he was arrested for the murder of a 48-year-old man during an armed robbery.
He has since said that the confession and statements used as evidence against him were coerced by detectives Michael Kill and Kenneth Boudreau. They trained under the notorious Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge. A court eventually ruled him innocent, and Jakes subsequently filed a federal lawsuit.
Deputy Corporation Counsel Jessica Felker told the Council Finance Committee this case should be settled.
“Jakes will present evidence of others who have Boudreau or Kill coerced them,” Felker said. “The law department recommends settling this case for $11.6 million.”
She said Boudreau has been named in several other wrongful conviction cases and has six cases remaining against him.
The committee agreed with the law department’s recommendation to settle with Jakes. The matter will go before the full council on Wednesday.
The panel has also approved other settlements, including a $500,000 settlement for a former victim of railroading by former Chicago Police Sgt. Ronald Watts.
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