Ex-cop’s torture trial stalls

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CHICAGO – A federal judge agreed Thursday to postpone the trial of a former Chicago police commander charged with lying about the use of torture on suspects so the defendant can undergo treatment for prostate cancer.

The case against Jon Burge, which includes emotional allegations about police conduct that have simmered in Chicago for decades, had been set to go to trial on Jan. 11. Judge Joan Humphrey Lefkow rescheduled it for May 10.

Defense attorneys fought off an effort by prosecutors to move up the trial to Nov. 30, saying they were too busy with cases already scheduled for December.

Lefkow made it clear she was reluctant to grant the defense’s request for postponement. She said she could imagine Burge’s attorneys coming back in May to ask for additional time, saying their client was in a weakened condition after his treatment.

“I can see this being put off and put off,” the judge said. She warned the defense attorneys that “if you come back and say I can’t do it I’m going to scrutinize that very carefully.”

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