United States v. Brian Wilbourn, No. 07 CR 843 (Judge Lefkow)
Brian Wilbourn was charged together with fourteen other residents and former residents of Chicago’s Cabrini Green Housing Project with being part of a federal drug conspiracy. Although Wilbourn was willing to plead guilty and admit his part in drug-selling in the Cabrini stairwells, the government refused to drop the twenty-year minimum sentence and thus forced Wilbourn to take his case to trial.
At trial, Goodman caught the key government cooperating witness in provable perjury, forcing the trial judge to dismiss the conspiracy counts against Wilbourn and his co-defendants. The government is currently seeking permission from the Obama Justice Department to appeal this decision.
Chronology of articles and documents:
(3) Judge Lefkow Order granting new trial
(4) Tribune story of new trial