I write to supplement the information published in “’82 death sentence tossed out, Lawyer cited for ignoring `wealth’ of evidence; now he’s a judge” (Page 1, June 16). I agree with the accurate reporting of the Supreme Court’s decision by the authors, Ken Armstrong and Steve Mills. The decision did find that Judge Patrick McGann’s performance as a lawyer in the Willie Thompkins sentencing hearing was ineffective assistance of counsel, justifying a new sentencing hearing.
I want to add what I and many other lawyers know about Judge McGann. As a lawyer, I have known Judge McGann, appearing before him when he was assigned to the Circuit Court’s Law Division and through Bar Association educational activities. He is an excellent judge, a very fair man, and he is committed to improving the quality of justice in Cook County by his efforts on the bench and through purely voluntary outside activities. People in Cook County should be proud that he has served as a judge in our system with distinction since 1988. His performance as a judge has been impeccable.
Armstrong and Mills correctly noted that Judge McGann uniformly receives high marks from various judicial evaluation committees. Those committees are correct in their evaluations, despite the very unfortunate 1982 case involving Mr. Thompkins.
I appreciate the Tribune’s continued reporting of capital penalty cases.
