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May 12, 2008 6:04 pm US/Central
Wrongly Convicted Man Enjoying New Freedom
After 26 Years In Prison Alton Logan Still Getting Used To Huge Technological Advances
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
A Chicago man who spent 26 years behind bars for a crime he says he didn't commit will have to wait a little longer to find out if the state will try him again.
But as CBS 2's Mai Martinez reports, in the meantime, Alton Logan is enjoying every minute of his newfound freedom.
Logan has only been a free man since April 18, but in those few short weeks he's caught up on many of the things he dreamed about while in prison.
"I've been to a White Sox game, been to Navy Pier," Logan said.
He has also spent a great deal of time with his family, something he says was his top priority while serving a life sentence for a murder he says he didn't commit.
Logan had been serving a life sentence for the 1982 murder of a McDonald's security guard. Though he lost so many years of freedom, Logan says he's not bitter.
"Why be upset about something I have no control over? I had no control over this," Logan said. "Individuals that had control over it, I'm not upset at them. "
Attorneys Dale Conventry and Jamie Kunz knew Logan was innocent, because they were representing the real killer, Andrew Wilson, who admitted to them he had committed the murder.
But that information didn't become public knowledge until Wilson died in November 2007 and the attorneys finally told their story on "60 Minutes" March 9.
They said they kept the secret because they couldn't violate attorney-client privilege.
"I can understand what they are going through," Logan said. "Had they came forward, 9 times out of 10, they'd have got fired, got disbarred, and it still wouldn't have help."
Instead of dwelling on the past, 54-year-old Logan says he's looking forward to the future. He admits it's a bit overwhelming at times.
"It's been too many changes. Too many," he said. "When I went in there was no cell phones, computers. They were there, but they weren't household uses. I've got to get used to all that."
Logan's family is helping him as much as possible.
His younger brother even took charge of Logan's fast-forward fashion lesson.
"I'm going to keep him sharp," Eugene Logan said, laughing that he was taking all the credit for dressing Alton.
Logan can also credit himself for outing his brother's new relationship status with his long-time girlfriend.
"She calls me brother in-law, so I don't know," Eugene Logan said.
Alton Logan's not quite confirming the move just yet.
Logan's legal battles aren't quite over. He has to go back to court on July 7 to find out if the state will try him again or drop the charges.
If the charges are dropped, Logan can seek a pardon from the governor.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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