Federal jury awards $750,000 to man framed by ex-CPD detective Guevara

Jury finds Guevara coerced confession, manipulated evidence in 1988 murder case

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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A federal jury has found that disgraced former Chicago police detective Reynaldo Guevara coerced a confession and manipulated evidence in a 1989 murder case, awarding $750,000 to a former Latin Kings gang member who spent 17 years in prison for the crime. The jury rejected the plaintiff's request for $40 million in damages, awarding only $750,000 in compensatory damages, which the city must pay, and no money in punitive damages against Guevara himself.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issues of police misconduct, false confessions, and wrongful convictions in Chicago, as well as the significant financial toll these cases have taken on the city through lawsuits and settlements. It also raises questions about the role of the state's attorney's office in addressing past injustices.

The details

The jury found that Guevara fabricated information from confidential informants, coerced Rios's confession, and withheld evidence from Rios' criminal trial that he'd beaten a key witness. Rios's attorneys contend the case had gone cold when Guevara, a gang crimes specialist, inserted himself into the investigation and orchestrated a frame-up. Rios spent 17 years in prison before being paroled in 2007 and waited over 15 years to file for a new trial.

  • Rios was convicted of the June 27, 1989, shooting death of rival gang member Luis Morales.
  • Rios was paroled in 2007 after spending 17 years in prison.
  • Rios filed for a new trial over 15 years after his release from prison.
  • The federal jury trial took place in February 2026.

The players

Reynaldo Guevara

A disgraced former Chicago police detective who was found liable for coercing a confession and manipulating evidence in the 1989 murder case.

Jaime Rios

A former Latin Kings gang member who spent 17 years in prison for a murder he claims Guevara framed him for.

Stephen Richards

The lead attorney representing Rios, who said Rios felt 'vindicated' by the jury's verdict.

Kim Foxx

The Cook County State's Attorney whose office eventually agreed to Rios's request for a new trial and a certificate of innocence.

Timothy Scahill

The attorney representing Guevara, who blamed Foxx's office for Rios's eventual exoneration.

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What they’re saying

“You will see Reynaldo Guevara was not an honest cop. He was not just seeking to do good things … he was perceived as a thug, a corrupt officer. Not an officer who was out to seek the truth.”

— Stephen Richards, Rios's lead attorney (Chicago Tribune)

“The Fifth Amendment protects innocent people. It protects people from government overreach (and) overzealous prosecutors. Are there reasons why an 82-year-old retired man might be fearful he might be subjected to an unjust prosecution? I would submit to you there are a lot of reasons, and none of them have to do with him being guilty of anything.”

— Timothy Scahill, Guevara's attorney (Chicago Tribune)

“Guevara was found liable on almost every claim. Our witnesses were believed, while his evidence was not.”

— Stephen Richards, Rios's lead attorney (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on the amount of attorneys' fees the city must pay to Rios's legal team.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing issues of police misconduct, false confessions, and wrongful convictions in Chicago, as well as the significant financial toll these cases have taken on the city. It also raises questions about the role of the state's attorney's office in addressing past injustices and the need for greater accountability and reform within the criminal justice system.