The Howard Morgan case highlighted racial tensions and allegations of excessive force within the Chicago Police Department, drawing national activist attention.
Key Facts
- Times Morgan was shot
- 28 times
- Officers involved
- 4 active Chicago police officers
- First trial verdict
- Not guilty of battery or discharging a firearm (2007)
- Second trial conviction
- Guilty of attempted murder (January 2012)
- Sentence imposed
- 40 years in prison (April 2012)
- Clemency granted
- January 2015 by Governor Pat Quinn
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Howard Morgan, a retired Chicago police officer, was stopped by four active duty Chicago police officers on February 21, 2005. A confrontation ensued, resulting in the officers firing at Morgan. No charges were filed against the officers despite Morgan sustaining 28 gunshot wounds.
The four officers — John Wrigley, Eric White, Timothy Finley, and Nicolas Olsen — shot Morgan 28 times. Morgan was charged with aggravated battery, discharging a firearm, and attempted murder. In a 2007 trial he was acquitted of battery and discharging a firearm, but no verdict was reached on attempted murder.
Morgan was retried for attempted murder and convicted in January 2012, receiving a 40-year prison sentence. The case sparked outrage among activists across Chicago and the nation. In January 2015, outgoing Illinois Governor Pat Quinn granted Morgan clemency.