Frank Drew’s 24-Year Wrongful Conviction Lawsuit

Frank Drew Sues Evanston Police Over Wrongful Murder Conviction

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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The Anatomy of a Wrongful Conviction: How Frank Drew’s Freedom Was Stolen

Frank Drew spent 24 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. His 1998 murder conviction collapsed in 2022 when witnesses confessed they lied under police pressure. The Evanston Police Department allegedly ignored evidence pointing to Gregory Boyd, the real killer, and framed Drew instead (Evanston Roundtable).

Seven witnesses initially described the shooter as heavyset and left-handed—matching Boyd’s physique. Drew, however, was 130 pounds and right-handed. This glaring mismatch was overlooked for nearly 25 years while Boyd later murdered another man in 2008 (Loevy & Loevy). The system failed everyone except those who orchestrated the injustice.

Police Coercion Exposed: 24 Years of Stolen Life

Evanston detectives interrogated a teenage Drew for 18 hours without legal counsel. Officers Jamraz, Hutton, and Kostecki allegedly beat him until he signed a confession drafted by prosecutor Steven Goebel (Loevy & Loevy). Jail medical records corroborate injuries from the assault yet no one investigated the abuse.

Coerced confessions often stem from psychological warfare. Detectives used isolation and false evidence to break Drew’s resolve. His mother’s requests to see him were denied which intensified his desperation. These tactics mirror systemic issues in Illinois law enforcement where accountability evaporates like morning dew.

Gregory Boyd’s Deadly Release: A Systemic Failure

Cops jailed Boyd two months after Walker’s murder but let him walk despite seven witnesses identifying him. He murdered Javor Brooks in 2008 which raises a haunting question: How many lives were ruined by Evanston’s negligence? The answer lingers like an untreated wound.

Boyd’s physical profile matched witness accounts yet detectives fixated on Drew. Authorities dismissed Boyd’s criminal history even though it screamed guilt. This tunnel vision reflects nationwide patterns where expedient convictions trump truth-seeking (Kansas City Star).

$50 Million Precedent: The Cost of Wrongful Convictions

A Chicago jury awarded $50 million in 2022 to a man exonerated after 10 years. Drew’s 24-year ordeal could eclipse that figure given the staggering time disparity (Evanston Roundtable). Taxpayers ultimately foot the bill for police misconduct—a bitter pill swallowed too often.

Compensation isn’t just about money. It’s about forcing institutions to confront their rot. Each settlement peels back another layer of systemic decay. Drew’s lawsuit challenges Cook County’s culture of impunity where officers act like they own the law.

Frank Drew’s Legal Battle: Seeking Justice After Prison

Drew’s federal lawsuit names eight officers plus prosecutor Steven Goebel. It accuses them of fabricating evidence and withholding Brady material. Notably the case targets Cook County’s failure to train staff on ethical interrogation methods (Federal Court Filings).

A win could reshape Illinois policing. The real victory lies in preventing future tragedies. Drew’s fight isn’t just personal—it’s a beacon for others crushed by the same corrupt machinery.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.