Page 10 - 2018 July Newsletter

June 22 was an extremely sad day for all members of the Chicago Police Department, active and re- tired. On this day, Judge William Hooks ordered the release of Jackie Wilson, one of two brothers convict- ed for the murders of two Chicago Police Officers on Feb. 9, 1982.
I knew that there was a possibility of this happen- ing when it was assigned to his courtroom. From day one, Judge Hooks made it clear that he did not want police officers attending this hearing. He would an-
nounce daily at the Wilson hearing that all Chicago Police Officers must secure their weapons in the lock boxes provided downstairs. There was also a written order taped to the front door of his court- room. All officers, retired and active, who failed to heed this order would be immediately arrested.
This deterred many officers from attending the hearing.
On June 21, I had attended a four-hour hearing along with sev- eral members of the Fahey family. The judge gave hundreds of reasons why Wilson should be given a new trial but failed to give reasons why he should not:
• TheWilsonBrothersweretwiceconvictedincourtforthemur- der of both officers;
• There were independent witnesses who identified both killers;
• Thirty-six years later, it is almost impossible to locate prior wit-
nesses;
• JackieWilson’sdefensewasthathewasinshockandunaware
of what really happened. He was in such shock he disarmed
one of the police officers and drove away.
By the comments made by Judge Hooks, it was very apparent
that he could not be fair in his ruling. Judge Hooks failed to rec- ognize the impact once again having to attend a trial would have on the Fahey family. He has sympathy for the offender and not the victims, where it should be!
Judge Hooks made a comment about how nearly four decades behind bars had aged Wilson “beyond his chronological years.” What about the brutalities these two had inflicted upon the vic- tims and their families that continue today? Is this a comment that a judge should be making?
After the hearing was over, members of the Fahey family were approached by news media and asked if they were disappointed by the decision. It is not surprising that a question of this type was asked. The media today unfortunately doesn’t report the entire story. One omission can change everything.
All members will be informed of when the new trial will take place. When a judge releases someone twice convicted of the mur- der of two Chicago Police Officers on an I Bond, it should concern allofus.d
First Vice President’s Report
Travesty of justice
PAT MURRAY
10 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JULY 2018