Former Death Row Inmate Campaigns for Illinois House

Associated Press ^ | Mar 14, 2004 | Don Babwin

[BenLurkin]

CHICAGO (AP) - There is no question Aaron Patterson hasn't lived in the district he wants to represent in the Illinois House for the required two years. He was only released from death row 14 months ago. The 39-year-old Patterson may be the most unusual candidate on Tuesday's primary ballot. A former gang member, he is using other gang members to spread the word about his campaign.

"We're trying to do something to change the whole dynamics of politics," said Patterson, who was convicted of killing an elderly Chicago couple in 1986 and served 17 years before being pardoned by former Gov. George Ryan.

Patterson is trying to unseat state Rep. Patricia Bailey, a Chicago Democrat. "I'm trying to be the voice of the voiceless," he said.

On the campaign trail, he prefers to be called a "revolutionary" rather than a politician. Then there was the time he went out into the community to urge people to vote and got arrested on misdemeanor charges that included impersonating a government official.

Patterson has been voicing his concerns about injustice for years, first as an inmate. He maintained his innocence throughout his prison sentence, alleging police tortured him into confessing to the crime.

Now one of his top priorities is curbing police and prosecutorial misconduct and reforming the state's criminal-justice system.

Patterson is a long-shot candidate. He's raised less than $3,000, and Bailey counts among her supporters such powerful mainstream politicians as House Speaker Michael Madigan, also a Chicago Democrat.

But Patterson likes his chances, he says, because of involvement by "oppressed people" who are "not part of the American dream. This election right here is going to give them the opportunity to be heard."

AP-ES-03-14-04 1521EST

[BenLurkin]

The democrat party. No wonder they want convicted felons to have the vote. They ARE convicted felons.

[ladyrustic]

This guy deserves a bullet to the brain, nothing more.

[Afro_conservative]

wow so prolife of you

[Unicorn]

Sounds about right.

[jocon307]

"...pardoned by former Gov. George Ryan. "

So did he do the crime, or not? The fact that he was pardoned doesn't, on its face, indicate that he was innocent.

[ladyrustic]

If he'd killed your elderly parents you would likely think differently about it.

[BibChr]

[Before reading article]

So, I'm guessing Democrat.

Dan

[BibChr]

[After reading article]

Figures.

Dan

[Afro_conservative]

No, I wouldn't. God takes care of those that kill his flock. We are here just to keep them away from others.

[facedown]

So did he do the crime, or not? The fact that he was pardoned doesn't, on its face, indicate that he was innocent.

"He was pardoned because Ryan decided the evidence was insufficient."

Aaron Patterson: from big house to statehouse?

[ladyrustic]

And we're not doing a very good job of keeping him away from others now, are we? He's running for office for heavan's sake.

I agree with you that God takes care of those who kill his flock. But God isn't against the death penalty, if we are to believe what the bible says.

By all rights this scum should have been lawfully executed. That he is now out and about, and running for a public office is a disgusting travesty. He should be dead.

[Afro_conservative]

New Testament brought about some new rules. I agree he shouldn't be out, if he is a murderer, but from what I know he was pardoned b/c dna showed he didn't do what they say he did. However known gangbangers should be in prison for the terrorism they put forth on those that live in urban environments.