Biography
Manuel Santiago was a Pontiac prisoner prosecuted over the July 1978 prison rebellion. The Pontiac Prisoners Support Coalition reported in February 1980 that he and his co-defendant were already serving prison terms when a McLean County jury acquitted them of aggravated battery but convicted them of mob action and misdemeanor battery. Supporters challenged the prosecution as a frame-up based on unreliable prisoner testimony. Judge Luther H. Dearborn had postponed sentencing until March.
Manuel Santiago was a Pontiac prisoner prosecuted over the July 1978 prison rebellion. The Pontiac Prisoners Support Coalition reported in February 1980 that he and his co-defendant were already serving prison terms when a McLean County jury acquitted them of aggravated battery but convicted them of mob action and misdemeanor battery. Supporters challenged the prosecution as a frame-up based on unreliable prisoner testimony. Judge Luther H. Dearborn had postponed sentencing until March.
Pontiac Prisoners Support Coalition Newsletter, No.11 (February 1980), PDF page 1; Pontiac Prisoners Support Coalition Newsletter, No.11 (February 1980), PDF page 2; Pontiac Prisoners Support Coalition Newsletter, No.11 (February 1980), PDF page 3.
Defense counsel: Buddy Clark; Shelley A. Bannister.
Source-reported institution: Pontiac Correctional Center.
