Euka Wadlington framed by Feds. Still serving life after four witnesses sign affidavits admitting fa
Wadlington, who managed a nightclub in Chicago, was arrested following a failed drug sting in which a confidential informant attempted to induce him to sell cocaine to an undercover agent.
According to Wadlington, he refused the request for months, but finally agreed to a meeting. He had a longstanding debt to the informant, a well known drug dealer who had loaned him $3,000 to start a car wash business years before.
Wadlington was arrested at the meeting location despite having no drugs or weapons and just three dollars in his pocket. At Wadlington’s trial, according to the prosecutor and government witnesses, Wadlington was the leader of a drug organization for the past six years selling powder and crack cocaine.
Wadlington was never caught with any drugs and no drugs were ever seized. The case was based entirely on the testimony of cooperating witnesses who testified in exchange for immunity or reduced sentences.
Since the trial, four witnesses have come forward and signed affidavits supporting Wadlington’s claims of innocence and prosecutorial misconduct. One of the key witnesses stated that his false accusations at Wadlington’s trial were coerced by federal agents who told him he could avoid a life sentence only by implicating Wadlington.
Two members of the drug-dealing conspiracy gave sworn statements that Wadlington was not a member, much less the leader. The appellate court also found the prosecutor improperly used grand jury subpoenas to secure interviews with witnesses.
Wadlington has exhausted all of his appeals, which were unsuccessful despite the witness recantations.
Wadlington has helped hundreds of incarcerated men obtain their GEDs. He has taught literacy classes, grammar and creative writing courses, He has worked with the warden to create re-entry programs and has started partnerships with local universities to allow students to play chess with inmates.
When he is released, Wadlington wants to return to his South Side neighborhood, Englewood, to run educational programs for youths and adults.
Read full story at ACLU Special Report. A Living Death: Life Without Parole for Nonviolent Offenses.
and in Huffington Politics.
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As voters, citizens, taxpayers and bystanders, we as a society have inhumanely punished thousands of nonviolent people. Currently Washington DC and 30 states have compensation statutes for wrongfully convicted inmates. Congress’ recommended amount is $63,000 for each year served. On the other hand, overly sentenced victims who in many cases have suffered equally or worse typically receive $20 and a bus ticket if they are fortunate enough to ever be released.
Select the link below to donate directly to Wadlington to help him with legal and other expenses. Most of these inhumanely sentenced inmates don't remember the last time they were able to buy personal items or snacks from the commissary. No donation is too small. JPAY is used for state inmates and Western Union for federal.
No Harsh Justice inmate has ever been convicted of a violent crime.
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