Gallows humor? Accused cop killers say some email between police bosses raises red flags

Maxine Hooks, mother of slain Chicago Police Officer Clifton Lewis, and his fiancee Tamara Latrice Tucker at the officer’s funeral at the United Missionary Baptist Church, 4242 W. Roosevelt. Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012. (Brian Jackson, Sun-Times Media)

It did not take long for the Chicago Police Department to blame Spanish Cobras for Officer Clifton Lewis’s murder.

Within a week of the 2011 killing, CPD had arrested three of the gang’s members, calling them the gunmen and getaway driver. But prosecutors found the case against one of the alleged shooters — Alexander Villa, known as “Flip” — was lacking and refused to file charges.