Cook County States Attorney was 'livid,' fired prosecutor over alleged perjury in cop shooting

The Chicago Tribune reports:

Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez fired a veteran prosecutor Monday for allegedly lying under oath at a court hearing and said she planned to refer the matter to state authorities to decide if criminal charges should be brought.

Describing herself as "appalled ... livid ... outraged," Alvarez called the alleged misconduct by Assistant State's Attorney Joseph Lattanzio unprecedented and vowed that her office would review every prosecution in which he took a statement from a defendant.

"This is a line that ... will not be crossed," declared Alvarez, facing a fight for re-election next spring. "(It) is totally, totally unacceptable. Any law enforcement officer who lies under oath has defied that public trust and is subject to the same legal consequences as any citizen would be."

The stunning turn of events could result in the unraveling of the arrest of a suspect in the 2012 shooting of Chicago police Officer Del Pearson, who nearly died from his wounds.

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