Charges dropped against third defendant in murder of Chicago officer Clifton Lewis

CHICAGO — Cook County prosecutors on Wednesday dropped charges and a judge overturned the conviction of a man who faced a lifetime in prison for the 2011 shooting death of a Chicago police officer.

Alexander Villa was convicted in a 2019 jury trial and sentenced last year but asked Judge Carol Howard to overturn his conviction, claiming prosecutors hid evidence during trial that would have proven his innocence. Two other defendants, Edgardo Colon and Tyrone Clay, have already had their charges dropped and walked free last year.

The state’s attorney’s office said that after Villa was convicted, the office discovered evidence that had not been previously or timely provided to the defense team.

“This information is potentially exculpatory, material, and relevant to a jury’s evaluation of the case, and therefore, we are compelled to agree to vacate this conviction and dismiss the charges,” the Cook County State’s Attorney said in a statement. “… prosecutors have the responsibility to not only find justice for the harmed but also uphold the constitutional rights of the accused. In this instance, we fell short.”

Dozens of Villa’s family and friends who attended the hearing at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse erupted in cheers and applause when his conviction in the shooting death of Officer Clifton Lewis was overturned.

“I’m still processing everything. I’m sure he’s in a state of shock as we speak. It has been 11 years since I held my brother,” Villa’s sister, Melissa Villa, told reporters outside the courtroom. “We’re happy that justice prevailed and our heart is with the Lewis family. From the very beginning, we have stated … that Alex was innocent, and it showed today that he’s innocent.”

Lewis was off-duty, working a second job as a security guard at a convenience store in the Austin neighborhood, when he was shot and killed during a December 29, 2011 robbery. In his eight years with the Chicago Police Department, he’d won 81 awards, including 70 honorable mentions and four department commendations, the department has said.

“One of the co-defendants had never communicated with my client and the other co-defendant,” said Villa’s attorney, Jennifer Blagg. “The Chicago Police Department knew that. The Cook County State’s Attorney knew that. And what did they do? They destroyed the evidence.”

The Fraternal order of Police president and the attorneys representing the Lewis family expressed their dissatisfaction with the judge’s ruling.

‘We are upset. We are saddened by what has happened, and I wish to God there’s some way that Mr. Villa to be held responsible,” said James McKay, the attorney representing Lewis’ family.

The FOP president called for Villa to be retried and re-indicted in the case, but it was unclear Wednesday whether prosecutors will reopen the case.

“Kim Foxx never said anything about this kid being innocent, because he’s not,” John Catanzara said Wednesday after court. “He killed Cliff. He needs to go to prison for it. And we’re not going to stop until that happens again.”

Villa is being held at the Lawrence Correctional Center in Sumner, Illinois. Attorneys expect him to be released Thursday.

Full statement from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office:

“After the sentencing of Alexander Villa for the 2011 murder of Officer Clifton Lewis, our office discovered evidence that had not been previously or timely provided to the defense. This information is potentially exculpatory, material, and relevant to a jury’s evaluation of the case, and therefore, we are compelled to agree to vacate this conviction and dismiss the charges. We acknowledge the pain and frustration this causes the family of Officer Lewis, who deserves to be remembered for his dedicated service to the Chicago Police Department and the City of Chicago rather than for procedural errors that have marred our pursuit of justice and accountability. While this is heartbreaking, prosecutors have the responsibility to not only find justice for the harmed but also uphold the constitutional rights of the accused. In this instance, we fell short. We are actively working to learn from the chain of events that has led us to this point so that we can make necessary improvements to our systems and ensure this does not happen again.”

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