Philip Anderson's fight for justice takes a significant turn as he files a federal lawsuit against several members of the Chicago Police Department and the City of Chicago. On February 16, 2025, Anderson filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, naming Detective Gregory Jones, Detective Roberto Garcia, Officer Andrew Craig, unknown detectives, and the City of Chicago as defendants.
The case stems from a wrongful conviction saga that began on April 1, 2013, when Jonathan Hoskins was murdered in Chicago. Witnesses described seeing a man in dark clothing at the scene but could not identify him. Despite this lack of evidence and an alibi placing Anderson elsewhere at the time of the crime, he was convicted of first-degree murder on May 5, 2016. The conviction was overturned on appeal due to coerced witness testimonies and police misconduct. In May 2024, after years of legal battles and a retrial ordered by an appellate court in March 2023, Anderson was acquitted.
Anderson's lawsuit accuses Detectives Jones and Garcia of fabricating evidence and coercing witnesses to falsely identify him as the shooter. The complaint details how these officers allegedly pressured Charles Ambrose into signing statements implicating Anderson despite Ambrose's inability to recognize anyone involved in the shooting. Furthermore, Officer Craig is accused of falsifying reports that unnamed individuals identified Anderson as "LP," the shooter.
The plaintiff claims his due process rights were violated under the Fourteenth Amendment due to these fabricated reports and coerced identifications. The complaint also highlights how unknown detectives threatened witness Tyson Kirkman with parole violations unless he identified Anderson as the shooter. These actions allegedly contributed significantly to Anderson's wrongful conviction.
In addition to seeking compensatory damages for emotional distress and lost years behind bars, Anderson is pursuing punitive damages against all defendants for their alleged malicious prosecution and misconduct. He also demands coverage from the City of Chicago for any compensatory damages awarded due to its officers' actions within their employment scope.
Representing Philip Anderson are attorneys Stephen L. Richards and Joshua S.M. Richards. The case is assigned Case ID: 1:25-cv-01619 with proceedings overseen by judges yet unnamed.