Pubdate: Mon, 12 Jun 2006
Source: Chicago Sun-Times (IL)
Copyright: 2006 The Sun-Times Co.
Contact:  http://www.suntimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/81
Author: Frank Main, Crime Reporter

EX-GANG ENFORCER BECOMES AN 'URBAN TRANSLATOR'

Wallace "Gator" Bradley -- former enforcer for the Gangster Disciples 
- -- is now a self-styled court interpreter.

Most interpreters translate foreign languages -- typically Spanish 
and Polish -- in Chicago's courtrooms.

But Bradley is serving as an urban translator of sorts for former 
Death Row inmate Aaron Patterson in his lawsuit alleging Chicago 
Police tortured a confession out of him.

Last month, Patterson's attorney, Frank Avila, asked a federal judge 
to let Bradley sit at their table to help his volatile client stay calm.

"Mr. Wallace Bradley has been assisting and it's kind of an analogy 
of a translator," Avila said. "He is familiar, well, he's familiar 
with Mr. Patterson and kind of different sensitivities of his personality."

Defense attorney amazed

Bradley can persuade Patterson to control his "unique personality," Avila said.

"Mr. Bradley and him come from a different subculture and they are 
familiar with each other's, let's say, emotional needs," Avila added. 
"So I'm using this analogy of having a translator in a different 
language. And I know that sounds kind of radical, but I think that's 
correct. And I think Mr. Bradley would be critical in communicating 
with my client."

Patterson was pardoned of murder in 2003 and released from prison. 
But prosecutors said he never gave up the life of a gang "prince" for 
the Black P Stones. He was charged in 2004 with dealing in drugs and 
guns, and was convicted last year. Prosecutors are asking the court 
to sentence him to a 30-year term on July 26.

In Patterson's bizarre criminal trial, he shouted in court and 
frequently was removed by marshals. He threatened his own lawyers and 
even attacked one of them.

Now he is back in court as his lawsuit against the city moves 
forward. He is among former inmates suing ex-police Cmdr. Jon Burge 
and his detectives for allegedly torturing murder confessions from them.

Avila became Patterson's attorney last month after his previous 
attorneys quit, citing "irreconcilable differences."

At a hearing last month, U.S. District Judge Geraldine Soat Brown 
would not let Bradley meet with Patterson in the Metropolitan 
Correctional Center because the U.S. Marshals Service expressed 
security concerns.

She did agree to let Bradley sit at the table with Patterson. "But it 
will be at opposite ends of the table from Mr. Patterson for security 
reasons," the judge said.

The arrangement amazed Patricia Bobb, a defense attorney representing 
Cook County Judge William Lacy, who is being sued for his role in 
Patterson's murder case when Lacy was an assistant state's attorney.

'Talking straight with Aaron'

"To say this is unusual would be an understatement," Bobb said. "I 
have never seen this in 33 years of practice. Patterson is clearly 
able to communicate and understand without anyone's aid. Mr. Bradley 
apparently wants to act as a lawyer even though he isn't a lawyer. 
All of us were stunned when Patterson's attorney described Mr. 
Bradley as an urban translator."

Bradley said Patterson asked him to help with the case despite their 
being ranking members of opposing gangs at one time.

"At this point there are not many guys that Aaron can trust," Bradley 
said. "I was with the GDs. Aaron was with the Stones. But members of 
both our organizations were tortured."

Bradley said he expects to bill Avila's law firm for his presence in 
the courtroom.

"I'm talking straight with Aaron," Bradley said. "I'm explaining you 
can't jump on your attorney. I will be like the legal assistant. I 
can think of no better client to have than Aaron."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman