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Apr 30, 2008 10:24 pm US/Central
Teen In Ryan Harris Case Allegedly Beaten By Cops
Elijah Henderson Was Falsely Accused In Murder Of Englewood Girl A Decade Ago
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
A young man falsely accused of murdering Ryan Harris 10 years ago was allegedly beaten by police and is now back in custody.
CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports the teen's family is outraged that someone victimized for so long is being victimized once again.
Elijah Henderson was 8 years old when he was charged with a murder he did not commit. Now, 10 years later, his suit against the city settled for $6 million, he sits in jail on the very day he was due to go to court to discuss how that money was to be paid out.
Elijah's grandmother and aunt waited outside the 6th District Police Headquarters where he was being held Wednesday night. They want to know why he's being held 24 hours after he was first arrested, and when he'll be released.
"They beat him with their fists, stomped him. They beat him," said Henderson's grandmother, Rosetta Crawford. "My neighbors saw. They slam dunked him on top of car, he's naked, pair of shorts… and then my other neighbor saw them pick him up and slam dunk. In some kind of way he was trying to get away because this boy is very scared."
They'd come to the Hendersons' home chasing Elijah's father who'd allegedly fled a traffic stop. When Elijah tried to protest, they turned to him. His sister says she tried to protect him.
"He picked me up and slammed me on my brother's bed," Candice Henderson said. "I couldn't even breathe… that's why my back hurts now, because he kept slamming me all over my brother's room."
Elijah's cousin was in the jail cell with him.
"I held my cousin for two hours last night," Keith Johnson said. "They didn't care. They didn't care about nothing. He was bleeding from his arms, his face, his feet… his toe will probably have to get amputated."
Police spokesperson Monique Bond says all those in the house were combative and refused to follow commands, but denies anyone was beaten.
"There's really nothing more we can say until the Independent Police Review Authority has had an opportunity to at least be notified of the allegations," Bond said.
It has been 10 years since the death of Ryan Harris shocked this community, which was shocked again when a 7-year-old and 8-year-old were charged with the murder. Shockwaves rippled again when it was found the two boys had nothing to do with the murder, and it was the work of a convicted sex offender.
Bond Wednesday night scoffed at the idea that police somehow were out for retaliation when they went to the Hendersons' house. She said police did not know who was living in the home when they went in.
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