Man sues after being jailed for murder on testimony from a blind eye-witness

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A man convicted of murder based in part on testimony from a legally blind eyewitness is suing the city and the police department. Harris filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in April alleging police fabricated evidence and coerced witnesses into making false statements, The Chicago Tribune reported Monday. The judge had based his ruling primarily on the testimony of Dexter Saffold, the eyewitness who picked Harris out of a police lineup and identified him in court, The Chicago Tribune reported. In December, his attorney Lauren Myerscough-Mueller argued that he was wrongfully convicted based on Saffold’s mistaken eyewitness testimony as well as “egregious misconduct” by the police who “fabricated evidence, including false witness statements and identifications through such tactics as coercion, threats, fact-feeding, and promises of leniency.” The judge vacated Harris’ convictions and the charges were dropped.