Chicago murder convict seeks new trial

CHICAGO, May 19 (UPI) -- A convicted murderer seeking a new trial testified in Cook County Circuit Court officers beat him and extracted a false confession.

Victor Safforld, 38, was sentenced to death for the 1990 Gangster Disciples-related murders of Delvin Botler and Curtis Sims, which then-Gov. George Ryan commuted to life imprisonment. Safforld is currently seeking a new trial for the murders he says he did not commit.

Safforld, also known as Cortez Brown, testified Monday that after his arrest, he was beaten by Detectives Anthony Maslanka and James O'Brien, both under former Chicago Police Cmdr. John Burge's command, The Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune reported.

"I'm still afraid these officers may do something to my family or to me while I'm in jail," Safforld testified before Judge Clayton Crane. The officers also testified but invoked their 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination.