A former Chicago police detective says it's "wrong" that his one-time boss is being prosecuted for allegedly lying about the torture of murder suspects decades ago.
Michael McDermott worked for the police department for 25 years, 15 of them under former police Lt. Jon Burge.
Burge is a key figure in an investigation into alleged police torture in the 1970s and 1980s. He's pleaded not guilty to obstruction of justice and perjury charges.
At a hearing Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow granted McDermott immunity from prosecution as he testifies at Burge's upcoming trial.
McDermott told reporters afterward prosecutors are wrong to conduct an investigation after so many years.
Jury selection in Burge's trial is scheduled to begin May 24.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
Michael McDermott worked for the police department for 25 years, 15 of them under former police Lt. Jon Burge.
Burge is a key figure in an investigation into alleged police torture in the 1970s and 1980s. He's pleaded not guilty to obstruction of justice and perjury charges.
At a hearing Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow granted McDermott immunity from prosecution as he testifies at Burge's upcoming trial.
McDermott told reporters afterward prosecutors are wrong to conduct an investigation after so many years.
Jury selection in Burge's trial is scheduled to begin May 24.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
