FBI investigates Chicago Police Shooting of Railroad Officer: Black Man Shot 25 Times - still alive

The FBI has been called in to look into a shootout between Chicago police and an off-duty railroad officer back in February. Howard Morgan was shot 25 times. Police say he pulled a gun on officers and is now charged with attempted murder. There were people who saw Howard Morgan's bullet-riddled body two months ago who did not think he would live long enough to wage a court battle for his innocence. But Morgan has survived a hail of Chicago police bullets. Now, he is demanding his right to bail, even though he is physically unable to appear in court. Morgan, a 54-year-old railroad cop is recovering from as many as 25 bullet wounds inflicted by Chicago police eight weeks ago. Morgan is charged with four counts of attempted murder and is being held without bail, shackled to his bed at Cook County's Oak Forest Hospital. His wife wants a bail amount set so she can pay it and transfer Morgan to a better hospital. "He has medical insurance -- the best medical insurance -- and he would be able to go to another facility," said Rosalind Morgan, suspect's wife. On February 21, Morgan -- a retired Chicago officer -- was stopped for a traffic violation by four uniformed city cops. Police investigators claim Morgan pulled a gun and began shooting before the officers returned fire. One city officer was hit in his bullet-proof vest and two others suffered graze wounds. "It's a question of police officers shooting police officers. The issue is not whether or not police officers shot police officers, but why?" said Leo Holt, defense attorney. In court Wednesday, Judge Kathleen Pantle denied Holt's motion to set bail, saying to do so without Morgan in court would violate the defendant's constitutional rights.  [more]