Two gang members were framed for a 1997 murder in an act of revenge by a former Chicago police officer who federal prosecutors called the “most corrupt” cop ever prosecuted at the downtown federal courthouse, according to testimony at a hearing that could lead to a new trial for brothers Juan and Rosendo Hernandez.
In the spring of 1997, Chicago Police Officer Joseph Miedzianowski believed Juan Hernandez had stolen marijuana from a dealer who worked for Miedzianowski, said Fred Rock, who was a star witness against Miedzianowski two decades ago when the former gang unit detective was on trial for using his badge to run a Miami-to-Chicago drug ring.
