Cortez Brown

Cortez Brown is an Illinois man who was convicted in 1992 for the murders of two supposed rival gang members. On November 25, 2008, he filed a petition to have his murder conviction overturned.Chicago Tribune: Man who alleges torture appeals murder convictions (November 25, 2008)

Brown alleges that he was beaten while detained by detectives working under the disgraced former Chicago police commander Jon Burge.Chicago Tribune: Man who alleges torture appeals murder convictions (November 25, 2008)

Victor Safforld was arrested in 1990 for a traffic violation and taken to Area 1 Chicago Police Department, which at the time was run by Jon Burge. Safforld says he was beaten by three detectives until he signed a confession to two murders under the false name of Cortez Brown.Campaign to End the Death Penalty: Justice for Cortez Brown: Tortured, Innocent, and Wrongfully Convicted

Safforld was convicted of the murders and sentenced to death. Brown and his supporters cite contradictory witness testimony regarding his presence at either crime as being one of many problems with his case.Campaign to End the Death Penalty: Justice for Cortez Brown: Tortured, Innocent, and Wrongfully Convicted

In 2003, after 13 individuals who had been on death row were exonerated, and days before he left office, George Ryan commuted the sentences of all 156 of the death penalty cases pending in Illinois.BBC News: Governor clears Illinois death row (January 11, 2003)