Lawsuits accuse Chicago police, prosecutors and a judge of framing two men for the murder of an off-duty officer

Tyrone Clay, who spent nearly 12 years locked up while awaiting trial for the 2011 murder of Chicago Police officer Clifton Lewis, celebrates as he leaves the Cook County Jail after prosecutors dropped charges against him and co-defendant Edgardo Colon on the eve of a hearing on allegations of misconduct by prosecutors who handled the case. This week, Clay and Colon this week filed a civil rights lawsuit claiming they were framed for Lewis’ murder, while a third co-defendant, Alexander Villa, has petitioned to have his conviction overturned. (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Time)

Two men who were charged with the murder of Chicago Police Officer Clifton Lewis have filed lawsuits saying they were framed, while the lone man in prison for the murder says he has proof prosecutors hid evidence and lied to a judge.

Prosecutors dropped charges against Edgardo Colon and Tyrone Clay in June, nearly 12 years after the two men were arrested. The move to dismiss the cases was made just before a hearing was to be held on allegations that police and prosecutors failed to turn over evidence, including cellphone data indicating they were nowhere near the convenience store where Lewis was gunned down in 2011.