Podcasts > Criminal > Call Russ Ewing

Call Russ Ewing

By Vox Media Podcast Network

In the gripping episode of "Criminal," narrated by Phoebe Judge alongside guests such as Charles Thomas, Marijane Placek, and Ken Bedford, the dark saga of police brutality in Chicago is under the microscope. This particular installment investigates the systematic torture employed by John Burge and his detectives during their tenure at the police department—a chilling period from the 1970s to the 1990s. The episode brings to light the shockingly cruel techniques of electrocution, beatings, and suffocation utilized to extract confessions, primarily from Black men, revealing not just the actions of those directly involved but also a broader culture of racial bias within law enforcement.

Parallel to the harrowing details of these abuses, the episode paints a contrasting portrait of Russ Ewing, a figure of humanity whose reputation for safely escorting suspects to the police station became legendary. Ewing's dedication to protecting the rights of suspects earned him national admiration and underscored his role as a human rights defender. Additionally, the episode delves into the entrenched discrimination at the Chicago Fire Department, with Ewing once again at the forefront of efforts to draw attention to and combat systemic racial inequality. This narrative arch illuminates the pivotal role individuals like Ewing have played in fighting for justice and effecting change, presenting a powerful juxtaposition to the grim realities of corruption and abuse.

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Call Russ Ewing

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Call Russ Ewing

1-Page Summary

The torture of suspects under John Burge and his detectives at the Chicago Police Department in the 1970s - 1990s

John Burge and his detectives at the Chicago Police Department committed systematic torture to extract confessions, targeting mainly Black men. They employed devastatingly brutal interrogation methods that included electrocution, beatings, and suffocation. From the start of Burge's activities until his dismissal in 1993, over 100 individuals had suffered under this abuse, emphasizing the racial bias ingrained within the department's practices. Despite being fired, Burge avoided immediate criminal charges, prompting significant concern about accountability and justice in law enforcement.

Russ Ewing's methods for gaining people's trust and escorting them safely to the police station to avoid police abuse

Russ Ewing employed a compassionate approach to earn trust and ensure the safe surrender of suspects to police custody, thereby protecting them from potential abuse. Ewing's commitment to accompany suspects to the police station was a public promise that prevented officers from engaging in misconduct, a process he often made transparent through filmed documentation. He employed his unique communicative abilities to mediate tense situations, which became instrumental in peacefully handling over 100 cases. His efforts earned him national recognition as a defender of human rights and an advocate for the safe surrender of suspects.

The environment of police brutality and the code of silence in Chicago during this era, especially towards Black residents

The Public Defender's Office in Chicago exposed the alarming trend of police brutality targeted at Black suspects. An urgent appeal to the U.S. Attorney General and testimonies from legal representatives like Marijane Placek revealed the extent of the inhumane practices, including torture to extract forced confessions. These revelations illuminated the systematic abuse inherent within the system, sparking a call for greater accountability and transparency within Chicago's law enforcement.

Russ Ewing's role in exposing discrimination at the Chicago fire department and pursuing justice stories as a reporter

Russ Ewing not only challenged the status quo within the Chicago Police Department but also took a stand against the pervasive discrimination in the Chicago Fire Department. As one of the few Black firefighters, he experienced and exposed the racial injustices, such as segregation, denial of promotions, and misuse of disciplinary procedures against Black personnel. By sharing these experiences with the media, Ewing incited a call to action that ultimately pressured the department to revise its discriminatory policies. His commitment to justice and equality demonstrated the transformative power of individual activism in instigating institutional reform.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • John Burge and his detectives at the Chicago Police Department were involved in a dark chapter of systematic torture from the 1970s to the 1990s, primarily targeting Black men. They used brutal interrogation methods like electrocution, beatings, and suffocation to extract confessions, leading to over 100 individuals suffering from this abuse. Burge's actions highlighted deep-rooted racial bias within the department and raised concerns about accountability and justice in law enforcement. Despite being dismissed in 1993, Burge initially avoided immediate criminal charges, sparking significant public outrage and calls for reform.
  • Russ Ewing employed a compassionate approach to build trust with suspects and ensure their safe surrender to the police station. He made a public commitment to accompany suspects, preventing potential misconduct by officers. Ewing's communication skills helped de-escalate tense situations, leading to peaceful resolutions in over 100 cases. His efforts were recognized nationally for advocating for human rights and the safe handling of suspects.
  • The environment of police brutality in Chicago during the 1970s-1990s was marked by systemic abuse, especially towards Black residents. The code of silence within law enforcement perpetuated a culture where officers protected each other from accountability, hindering the exposure and prosecution of misconduct. This code of silence made it challenging for victims to seek justice and for whistleblowers to come forward without fear of retaliation. The combination of police brutality and the code of silence created a toxic environment that allowed abuses to persist unchecked for years.
  • Russ Ewing, in addition to his work in law enforcement, also played a significant role in exposing discrimination within the Chicago Fire Department. As one of the few Black firefighters, Ewing experienced and highlighted racial injustices within the department, such as segregation and denial of promotions. Through his experiences and advocacy, Ewing brought attention to discriminatory practices within the fire department, contributing to efforts to address systemic inequalities. Ewing's work as a reporter further amplified these issues, shedding light on stories of injustice and advocating for change.

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The torture of suspects under John Burge and his detectives at the Chicago Police Department in the 1970s - 1990s

Charles Thomas brings to light the heinous actions by John Burge and his group of detectives at the Chicago Police Department, explaining how they systematically used torture to extract confessions from suspects, primarily Black men, for homicides.

Torturous Interrogation Methods

Burge and his detectives resorted to torture methods that included attaching electrodes to the genitals of suspects, along with burning, beating, and suffocating them to coerce confessions. This egregious violation of human rights took place during a harrowing period of law enforcement history in Chicago.

Extensive Pattern of Abuse

By the time John Burge was dismissed from the force in 1993, more than 100 individuals had allegedly been subjected to such torture. The victims of these brutal practices were predominantly Black men, and the racially charged pat ...

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The torture of suspects under John Burge and his detectives at the Chicago Police Department in the 1970s - 1990s

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Clarifications

  • John Burge and his detectives were a group of law enforcement officers in the Chicago Police Department known for using torture methods to extract confessions from suspects, primarily Black men, during the 1970s-1990s. John Burge, the leader of this group, was eventually dismissed from the force in 1993 due to these actions, sparking concerns about accountability and justice within the legal system.
  • To "extract confessions from suspects" means to obtain admissions of guilt or involvement in a crime from individuals who are believed to have committed the offense. This process typically involves questioning or interrogation by law enforcement officials to elicit statements that incriminate the suspects. In the context of the text, it describes how John Burge and his detectives used torture methods to force suspects to confess to crimes, often through coercion and intimidation. The goal was to secure confessions that could be used as evidence in criminal investigations and prosecutions.
  • Attaching electrodes to the genitals of suspects was a torture method used by John Burge and his detectives at the Chicago Police Department. This involved placing electrically conductive pads on the genital area of the suspect and delivering electric shocks, causing extreme pain and distress. The purpose was to coerce confessions from the suspects through the use of excruciating physical torture. This brutal and inhumane practice was part of a larger pattern of abuse and misconduct that occurred during the 1970s to 1990s in Chicago.
  • The term "racially charged pattern of abuse" in this context indicates that the abuse and torture inflicted by John Burge and his detectives disproportionately targeted Black men. This pattern suggests a systemic bias and discrimination based on race within the Chicago Police Department during that period. The phrase underscores how race played a significant role in the selection of vict ...

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Russ Ewing's methods for gaining people's trust and escorting them safely to the police station to avoid police abuse

Russ Ewing, a renowned figure in the field of criminal justice, has developed unique methods for gaining the trust of suspects and ensuring their safe surrender to prevent potential police abuse.

Gaining Trust and Ensuring Safe Surrender

Ewing's journey in this unique role started when a mentally ill man, who was holding hostages, recognized Russ from TV and allowed him to facilitate a peaceful surrender. Ewing's promise to the suspects was clear: if they surrendered to him, he would escort them personally to the station and prevent them from being mistreated. He often documented these surrenders on film, which were broadcast on the evening news, creating a public record that aided in safeguarding them from police harm.

Authorities were aware that Russ was monitoring them closely, which in turn led to a reduction in misconduct and a stricter adherence to the rule of law among officials.

Techniques of Compassion and Guarantee

Russ's empathetic and reasoned approach, highlighted by his affirmation that "any kind of living is better than any kind of dying," allowed him to disarm and gain trust from individuals. During an incident with a mental patient holding hostages, he applied this philosophy, leading both of them to walk out safely together.

Ewing was known to be present with the individuals all the way to the police station, at times riding in police cars to ease the suspects' fears. It wasn't uncommon for him to physically link arms with them, showcasing his commitment to their protection. His ability to connect with potentially dangerous individuals on a human level increased his success rate in safely disarming suspects, exemplified by an incident where he disarmed a murder suspect by discharging the suspect’s gun into the ceiling.

Ken ...

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Russ Ewing's methods for gaining people's trust and escorting them safely to the police station to avoid police abuse

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The environment of police brutality and the code of silence in Chicago during this era, especially towards Black residents

The Chicago public defender's office has highlighted the dark legacy of systematic torture towards Black suspects, painting a disturbing image of law enforcement practices during the era in question.

Public defender's office writes to the U.S. Attorney General

The Public Defender's Office in Chicago takes the extraordinary step of writing to the U.S. Attorney General to bring attention to a grave issue: the systematic torture of Black suspects at the hands of police. They detail practices that are not only inhumane but also fundamentally compromise the justice system.

Beatings and torture to extract confessions

Public defender Marijane Placek’s testimony provides a harrowing glimpse into the era, confirming the brutal treatment of clients by police. Placek refers to it as a disgrace within the criminal justice system, highlighting that such barbarism was "well known." She recounts a specific incident where a client, driven to desperation by the torture inflicted upon him, scratched a message into a wooden bench explaining that his confession was the direct re ...

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The environment of police brutality and the code of silence in Chicago during this era, especially towards Black residents

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The text does not provide specific details on initiatives for accountability and transparency in addressing police brutality and the code of silence in Chicago during the highlighted era. This lack of information suggests a need for further exploration into what measures, if any, were taken to hold law enforcement accountable and ensure transparency in handling cases of systematic torture and misconduct. Clarifying this aspect could shed light on the efforts made to address these grave issues within the criminal justice system.
  • The public defender's decision to write to the U.S. Attorney General signifies a significant escalation in addressing the issue of police brutality and torture. This action aim ...

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Russ Ewing's role in exposing discrimination at the Chicago fire department and pursuing justice stories as a reporter

Exploring the impactful role of Russ Ewing, one of Chicago's few Black firefighters who took a stand against discriminatory practices within the fire department. His courageous efforts to bring these issues to light resulted in much-needed changes.

Challenges as a Black Firefighter and the Fight for Equality

Russ Ewing was not just a firefighter; he was a beacon of change in a department fraught with prejudice. He did not stay silent about the racism he and his fellow Black firefighters faced. They were segregated within their own stations, rarely given promotions, and witnessed white firefighters with misconduct issues being sent to predominantly Black stations as a form of penal reassignment.

Instead of accepting the status quo, he acted. Despite the risks, he began anonymously sharing the troubling realities he faced within the department to the Chicago Defender, a local Black newspaper. Eventually, Ewing made the bold choice to shed his anonymity, which amplified the media's attention on the issue.

Using Media as a Catalyst for Reform

Ewing understood the power of visibi ...

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Russ Ewing's role in exposing discrimination at the Chicago fire department and pursuing justice stories as a reporter

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Segregation within fire stations referred to the practice of separating Black and white firefighters within the same department. This segregation extended to living quarters, dining areas, and even work assignments, creating a clear divide based on race. Black firefighters often faced isolation and unequal treatment compared to their white counterparts due to these discriminatory practices.
  • Penal reassignment in the context of the Chicago Fire Department involved transferring white firefighters with misconduct issues to predominantly Black stations as a form of punishment or discipline. This practice was seen as a discriminatory and unjust way to address disciplinary problems within the department. It exacerbated existing tensions and inequalities among firefighters based on race. The reassignments were part of a broader pattern of discriminatory practices that Russ Ewing and other Black firefighters sought to challenge and change.
  • The Chicago Defender was a prominent African American newspaper that played a crucial role in advocating for civil rights and social j ...

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