Despite scumbags like former Chicago Police Commander John Burge, there are many honorable police officers out there trying to do the right thing and the victory in a civil suit for Mike Callahan over Illinois State Police superiors is a great thing. Despite facing significant career sanctions he continued to investigate a murder investigation where it’s pretty apparent those convicted are innocent of the crime. In somewhat limited dealings, I’ve always been impressed with the professionalism of Illinois State Troopers and Callahan only increases that impression.
Without people like Callahan we’d have more people in prison who don’t deserve it–which is as much of a crime as was what they were accused.
After the verdict, Callahan, standing next to his wife Lily, called the verdict a vindication of his work.
“Obviously, I’m glad. Now that it’s over, it’s a big relief,” Callahan said. “The last five years have been rough; it was like a roller coaster going up and down.”
Callahan was assigned in 2000 to take a second look at the July 5, 1986, slayings of Karen and Dyke Rhoads in the eastern Illinois city of Paris.
But when his investigation focused on a Paris businessman who had donated thousands of dollars to the re-election campaigns of former Gov. George Ryan and former Atty. Gen. Jim Ryan, he was transferred, Callahan alleged. The Tribune is not naming the businessman because he has not been charged.
Two years ago, Callahan began raising questions about the men convicted in the murder, Gordon “Randy” Steidl and Herbert Whitlock. Steidl, who was sentenced to death, was released last May after prosecutors dropped his charges.
An Edgar County judge will decide if Whitlock merits a new trial.
Whether the man he was investigating has anything to do with the murders is a completely different issue.