Another issue concerning the Burge verdict

[the_archfiend]

No, this has nothing to do with the actual torture, for once. What disturbs me nearly as much is the idea that Jon Burge didn't just torture suspects to elicit forced confessions; by doing so, he also let the actual perpetrators of such crimes safely fade into the background while innocent men took their place in prison. 

Even if Burge actually had the perpetrators dead to rights, he also handed them a Get of out Jail Free card that they could use years later.  
 
Unsurprisingly, a grand jury might be taking a second look at some of Burge's subordinates.

Comments

[savageparrot.livejournal.com]

Torture is such a shit way of getting information out of people. All you get is what you want to hear because they'll say anything to stop the pain. It's the futility as much as the unnecessary pain that makes it so unforgivable IMO.

[the-archfiend.livejournal.com]

Burge, IMHO, was more intent on making a splash as a homicide detective who got results (read: confessions) than in arresting the actual perpetrators of the crimes he was allegedly investigating.

In short, he was *completely* cynical about what he did and deserves no sympathy. He didn't give the people he tortured any quarter, so why should he deserve any in response?