Pubdate: Thu, 08 Feb 2001
Source: Chicago Tribune (IL)
Copyright: 2001 Chicago Tribune Company
Contact:  435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611-4066
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Author: Todd Lighty

COP COULD `WORK MIRACLES' FOR DRUG RING, WITNESS TESTIFIES

A confessed drug dealer testified in federal court Wednesday that former 
Chicago Police Officer Joseph Miedzianowski twice kept him from going to 
jail and that he had come to believe the gangs cop could perform miracles.

In a February 1998 letter, drug dealer Juan Martir wrote of his faith in 
Miedzianowski's ability to interfere in criminal cases. "You're the best 
lawyer money can buy," Martir wrote in the one-page letter, which he 
signed, "Casper, Your friend until the End."

When Assistant U.S. Atty. Brian Netols asked Martir what he had meant by 
that, Martir replied, "That meant that lawyers can only do certain things. 
Joe can work miracles."

Wednesday was the second day jurors in the drug conspiracy trial of 
Miedzianowski and four others heard from Martir, a gang member known as 
Casper the Ghost. Martir was a member of Miedzianowski's alleged drug ring 
and is one of 15 co-defendants who have pleaded guilty and are cooperating 
with the government.

Martir portrayed Miedzianowski as a corrupt cop who was an integral part of 
a Miami-to-Chicago drug ring.

Martir began writing letters to Miedzianowski and others shortly after 
authorities in Miami arrested him on drug charges.

In his letters, Martir had sought Miedzianowski's help in intervening with 
federal authorities.

In addition to the letters Martir wrote while in custody, prosecutors also 
entered into evidence a series of taped telephone calls between Martir and 
Miedzianowski.

The government, in part, has alleged that Miedzianowski used those phone 
conversations in an attempt to control Martir by making sure he would only 
inform on people in Miami.

Miedzianowski's lawyers have not had the opportunity yet to question Martir 
but portrayed him in opening statements Tuesday as a gang member facing 
life in prison who would tell lies against Miedzianowski.

Earlier Wednesday, Martir testified that Miedzianowski twice intervened 
when he was arrested in Chicago.

On one occasion, Martir said, city police stopped him after he had left the 
home of a drug dealer known as "Killer." Martir said police found a large 
amount of cash in his pockets and claimed to have found cocaine in his car.

On the way to the station, Martir testified, he told the officers that they 
"should call my friend Joe."

Martir said that within an hour he was freed.

Martir said he believed that the second time Miedzianowski intervened was 
in summer 1996, when police stopped Martir and another suspected drug 
dealer on the city's West Side. When Martir was arrested and the other man 
was let go, Martir requested the officer call Miedzianowski.

"A half-hour later, I was out," Martir testified.
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