Detainee Who Claims He Was Forced To Confess To Murder Gets Chance To Prove Innocence
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Jose Maysonet says he was forced to confess to murder by a Chicago detective who savagely beat him. And Wednesday, he may get a chance to prove his innocence, CBS 2 Investigator Pam Zekman reports.
Maysonet was sentenced to life in prison in 1995. Convicted of murdering two brothers. He's spent nearly half his life behind bars.
He says he's innocent. "No. I didn't. I didn't commit the crime."
Maysonet claims he falsely confessed after Chicago Police Detective Reynaldo Guevara squeezed his testicles and beat him with a flashlight and phonebook.
"It got to the point where I was screaming," Maysonet says. "You know I thought I was going to get killed."
Guevara, who retired in 2005, has a history of misconduct. Four men who claim he framed them have already been released from prison because of his conduct.
"He had an arsenal of tactics that he used to frame people for crimes that they did not commit," said Maysonet's attorney Jennifer Bonjean.
After 20 years in prison Maysonet first learned that his defense lawyer also represented Detective Guevara.
At his trial, he was represented by attorney Richard Beuke. Maysonet's new lawyer claims in court filings that Beuke committed malpractice because he was simultaneously defending Guevara in a child custody case.
"And if you can't even rely on your attorney to have your back, have your best interests. What is this system," Bonjean says.
Beuke, during a 2015 deposition, couldn't recall what he had told Maysonet.
"I don't know that it happened. I don't know that it didn't happen," Beuke said at the time.
"I can't think of a greater betrayal than having your own attorney having his interests lie with your opponent," Bonjean added.
Meanwhile, Maysonet is still serving a life sentence. Bonjean filed a complaint against Beuke with the state's Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.
That matter is still under review. Beuke and Guevara didn't return messages. Wednesday, a hearing may determine if Maysonet gets a new trial.
