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Southside #4
Cellmates
One prisoner’s ninety-year murder conviction becomes another prisoner’s crusade in this ongoing true account of an unlikely friendship forged behind bars and the enduring power of hope.
For seventeen years and counting, Robert Chattler has made good on his promise to help exonerate his former cellmate, Lee Harris, who he believes was baited and duped by Chicago PD and buried by the false testimony of a bribed witness. In this emotional story of courage and trust, suspicion and sacrifice, the award-winning journalist Tori Marlan reveals the uncanny friendship powering an impassioned fight for justice.
Tori Marlan’s Cellmates is part of Southside, a collection of five true stories about racism and reform, crime and corruption, justice and injustice in Chicago—from the Pulitzer Prize–winning team at The Marshall Project. With original photography by Carlos Javier Ortiz and Joshua Lott. Each story can be read—or listened to—in a single sitting.
For seventeen years and counting, Robert Chattler has made good on his promise to help exonerate his former cellmate, Lee Harris, who he believes was baited and duped by Chicago PD and buried by the false testimony of a bribed witness. In this emotional story of courage and trust, suspicion and sacrifice, the award-winning journalist Tori Marlan reveals the uncanny friendship powering an impassioned fight for justice.
Tori Marlan’s Cellmates is part of Southside, a collection of five true stories about racism and reform, crime and corruption, justice and injustice in Chicago—from the Pulitzer Prize–winning team at The Marshall Project. With original photography by Carlos Javier Ortiz and Joshua Lott. Each story can be read—or listened to—in a single sitting.
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2018
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86 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 7, 2019
This story is about two cellmates and how one tries to help the other when it comes to getting out of jail. It also details the reasons for both men being in jail. It is a nice look and good reporting.
January 19, 2022
Lee's propensity for lying, people-pleasing tendencies, and misplaced trust in the police landed him in prison with a 90-year sentence. The thing is, he wasn't even near the crime scene when it happened.
More corruption from the Chicago police department means that while many people know Lee is innocent and have been working toward his release for over a decade, he was still in prison as of 4 months ago.
It was hard to feel sympathetic at first; I mean, the man talked his way into prison for the promise of money. But then, reading how techniques and bribery were used to get and keep him there makes his initial deceptions pale in comparison.
Ugh!
More corruption from the Chicago police department means that while many people know Lee is innocent and have been working toward his release for over a decade, he was still in prison as of 4 months ago.
It was hard to feel sympathetic at first; I mean, the man talked his way into prison for the promise of money. But then, reading how techniques and bribery were used to get and keep him there makes his initial deceptions pale in comparison.
Ugh!
July 9, 2023
Interesting
I can understand why this story was shared. Robert’s choice to devote so much time, money, and energy to someone he briefly shared a cell with is remarkable. Very few people would keep up with that commitment. And nothing about their time together indicates that Robert should be willing to help Lee. His actions go so far beyond being a nice person. Lee’s story of self-sabotage is sad and confusing. Poverty can lead to poor decisions. That’s the only thing I could think of to justify Lee’s foolishness. I love true crime stories that go back and uncover failures in a case. It’s rewarding to see the wrongly convicted set free. I was disappointed to not get that from this case. I wanted to see all of the efforts lead to Lee’s exoneration. I will keep an eye out for progress on his case.
I can understand why this story was shared. Robert’s choice to devote so much time, money, and energy to someone he briefly shared a cell with is remarkable. Very few people would keep up with that commitment. And nothing about their time together indicates that Robert should be willing to help Lee. His actions go so far beyond being a nice person. Lee’s story of self-sabotage is sad and confusing. Poverty can lead to poor decisions. That’s the only thing I could think of to justify Lee’s foolishness. I love true crime stories that go back and uncover failures in a case. It’s rewarding to see the wrongly convicted set free. I was disappointed to not get that from this case. I wanted to see all of the efforts lead to Lee’s exoneration. I will keep an eye out for progress on his case.
October 13, 2024
Words are cheap. People lie. They lie to avoid conflict or awkward situations, to appease others, or to gain an upper hand.
Another example of the big issues within Chicago but we got a silver lining story in this collection. Robert and Lee were cell mates and between the time shared together a friendship was born. One day, Robert is released and while he tries to get his life together and work within his father's company he never really forgot about Lee.
Lee has always kept repeating the same story of been imprisoned due to a false confession (which seems to be a common thing in Chicago). Despite everything, Robert believes him and it's trying to find lawyer and groups that could help Lee get a new trial or petition to take a look on his case.
Another example of the big issues within Chicago but we got a silver lining story in this collection. Robert and Lee were cell mates and between the time shared together a friendship was born. One day, Robert is released and while he tries to get his life together and work within his father's company he never really forgot about Lee.
Lee has always kept repeating the same story of been imprisoned due to a false confession (which seems to be a common thing in Chicago). Despite everything, Robert believes him and it's trying to find lawyer and groups that could help Lee get a new trial or petition to take a look on his case.
September 23, 2018
Friends for Life
This story is about 2 inmates, they have nothing much in common, but come through for each other when nobody else would. Great story of friendship and another reminder to never get in trouble if I ever go to Chicago.
This story is about 2 inmates, they have nothing much in common, but come through for each other when nobody else would. Great story of friendship and another reminder to never get in trouble if I ever go to Chicago.
July 4, 2020
NOTE: There is no "HEA"; as of at least summer 2019, Lee Harris was still incarcerated.
Robert Chattler met Lee Harris when he became his cellmate, hence the title, in prison. I guess it was just by chance, because Joliet is a max security prison, and Chattler didn't even need to be in max security. Harris was super nice and super friendly to Chattler, making his time in Joliet scores better than it would've been without his friendship, and in return Chattler promised to help Harris get exonerated. This story talks about their friendship, as it is, and Chattler's 17 year non-stop crusade for Harris' freedom.
Lee Harris was one of the strangest people I have ever read about. One on hand he was a hard worker and community activist. But he spent his down time as a small time drug dealer and thief. Then there was the fact that he was, IMO, a cross between a pathological and a sociopathic liar. He lied with no conscience, remorse, before or afterthought, and most often with no reason. The author of this story talks about how even though Harris was a small time thief, for the most part his lies were "harmless". She goes on to highlight how Harris was railroaded by police in Chicago, "False Confession Capital", which clearly wasn't hard to do because Harris helped to railroad himself by changing his story about 100 times just to get the reward money; it didn't help that he's also not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
Ultimately, I am unsure how to feel about this story. The author tries hard to make this about the unfair deal handed to an innocent man, and the great, enduring friendship that has kept him going. But Lee Harris not only continued to lie, but the lies grew in magnitude: he went from hearing about the crime to actually being a participant. In the end, I'm not completely convinced that he wasn't involved. As for Robert Chattler, he has allowed this case to take over his entire life in disturbing proportions. I didn't feel too sorry for either one of them. And either Harris will be finally exonerated after at least 20 years, or he'll be fully implicated and Chattler will go completely mad.
Robert Chattler met Lee Harris when he became his cellmate, hence the title, in prison. I guess it was just by chance, because Joliet is a max security prison, and Chattler didn't even need to be in max security. Harris was super nice and super friendly to Chattler, making his time in Joliet scores better than it would've been without his friendship, and in return Chattler promised to help Harris get exonerated. This story talks about their friendship, as it is, and Chattler's 17 year non-stop crusade for Harris' freedom.
Lee Harris was one of the strangest people I have ever read about. One on hand he was a hard worker and community activist. But he spent his down time as a small time drug dealer and thief. Then there was the fact that he was, IMO, a cross between a pathological and a sociopathic liar. He lied with no conscience, remorse, before or afterthought, and most often with no reason. The author of this story talks about how even though Harris was a small time thief, for the most part his lies were "harmless". She goes on to highlight how Harris was railroaded by police in Chicago, "False Confession Capital", which clearly wasn't hard to do because Harris helped to railroad himself by changing his story about 100 times just to get the reward money; it didn't help that he's also not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
Ultimately, I am unsure how to feel about this story. The author tries hard to make this about the unfair deal handed to an innocent man, and the great, enduring friendship that has kept him going. But Lee Harris not only continued to lie, but the lies grew in magnitude: he went from hearing about the crime to actually being a participant. In the end, I'm not completely convinced that he wasn't involved. As for Robert Chattler, he has allowed this case to take over his entire life in disturbing proportions. I didn't feel too sorry for either one of them. And either Harris will be finally exonerated after at least 20 years, or he'll be fully implicated and Chattler will go completely mad.
July 1, 2023
Robert Chattler life had gone downhill after he got addicted to drugs. He developed a friendship with Lee Harris when they become cellmates in Joliet Correction Center. Once Robert was released, he kept his promise to help Harris with his appeals for wrongful conviction. However, after years of fighting no progress had been made.
* * * * *--------------* * * * *--------------* * * * *
This is another short story which seeks to personalize the bleak problems with the Cook County legal system by giving it a specific face. The long process of making appeals, securing money for added labs or extra investigations, and retracting confessions is complicated. Despite evidence of corruption at the Chicago Police Department each arrest must be looked at individually. It often takes outside help to make any headway which is difficult for current prisoners. That said, this is a rather muddy case to use as an example. Lee Harris may have been the victim of torture or manipulation, but he also seemed to make up lies to seek reward money and please others. The activism efforts are not making progress making them seem inconsequential or unhelpful in general. That makes the target audience and intention of the narrative unclear.
* * * * *--------------* * * * *--------------* * * * *
This is another short story which seeks to personalize the bleak problems with the Cook County legal system by giving it a specific face. The long process of making appeals, securing money for added labs or extra investigations, and retracting confessions is complicated. Despite evidence of corruption at the Chicago Police Department each arrest must be looked at individually. It often takes outside help to make any headway which is difficult for current prisoners. That said, this is a rather muddy case to use as an example. Lee Harris may have been the victim of torture or manipulation, but he also seemed to make up lies to seek reward money and please others. The activism efforts are not making progress making them seem inconsequential or unhelpful in general. That makes the target audience and intention of the narrative unclear.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2020
I wish this would have gone a bit more in depth as to how Lee Harris got involved in talking about the crime he was accused of (did the cops literally just say, go to the detectives and tell them this story? Were those two specifically trying to pin it on someone? If not, why even ask Lee to get involved if they didn't have a lead?) though not for lack of effort on the author's part as she was unable to speak to two of the officers involved. I'm a bit confused as to if Lee was even a part of or near the crime T all or if he lied based on the guidance of his two cop 'friends'. Otherwise the story is told well and lets us get to know Robert and Lee and root for them.
I think as of writing this, there is no further update, but there's surprisingly little coverage of this case in the first place.
I think as of writing this, there is no further update, but there's surprisingly little coverage of this case in the first place.
March 24, 2023
This is part of The Southside, a collection of shorts (around an hour in length) by The Marshall Project.
This one was particularly heartbreaking. Marlan examines the case of an obviously innocent man railroaded by the Chicago Police Department into a confession. A friendship between prisoners becomes a reexamination of an old case. Despite a long history of bad faith investigations within the department as well as the known malfeasance by specific officers in the case - finding true justice isn't as easy as it seems.
Narration:
I loved Janina Edward's narration. She evokes emotions consistent with Marlan's writing.
This one was particularly heartbreaking. Marlan examines the case of an obviously innocent man railroaded by the Chicago Police Department into a confession. A friendship between prisoners becomes a reexamination of an old case. Despite a long history of bad faith investigations within the department as well as the known malfeasance by specific officers in the case - finding true justice isn't as easy as it seems.
Narration:
I loved Janina Edward's narration. She evokes emotions consistent with Marlan's writing.
April 15, 2023
A Promise of Hope
When reading this selection of the Southside collection. It’s another illustration of how systems within Chicago are broken, unjust and perpetuate the plight of a city. This selection tells the story of two cell mates that form a bond over time. One (Robert) is released and uses his resources to fight for justice for the other (Lee) that was imprisoned due to a false confession, a more common phenomena in Chicago. Despite the obstacles, Robert maintains his promise showing a sign of hope as well as humane treatment of a Man that has lost so much due to a destructive system.
When reading this selection of the Southside collection. It’s another illustration of how systems within Chicago are broken, unjust and perpetuate the plight of a city. This selection tells the story of two cell mates that form a bond over time. One (Robert) is released and uses his resources to fight for justice for the other (Lee) that was imprisoned due to a false confession, a more common phenomena in Chicago. Despite the obstacles, Robert maintains his promise showing a sign of hope as well as humane treatment of a Man that has lost so much due to a destructive system.
December 26, 2022
Intriguing
This is a true, short story and one of five in the Southside collection. This is the first one in this collection that I've read and I definitely want to read the others now. To me, this is a story of two unlikely friends who met in a very unlikely way but were what both needed at that time in their lives. It's a story of friendship and the importance of words.
This is a true, short story and one of five in the Southside collection. This is the first one in this collection that I've read and I definitely want to read the others now. To me, this is a story of two unlikely friends who met in a very unlikely way but were what both needed at that time in their lives. It's a story of friendship and the importance of words.
November 5, 2018
This was interesting and well done, but didn't grab me on the same visceral level as some of the other works in this collection. Still, like the others, it shows how imperfect our system is, as well as the many ways in which justice can be miscarried.
June 13, 2019
What a sad story. Very disheartening to think of all the wrongful convictions. It was a good book, but left me feeling sad as this man is still in prison and there seem to be many things that point to his innocence.
May 28, 2021
Uma amizade inusitada, em um lugar indesejado, uma promessa ainda não cumprida, mas em andamento. Como é não ficção, fiquei na expectativa de um final que ainda não aconteceu. Mas é uma narrativa muito boa.
July 14, 2023
great non fiction book
I liked how two cell mates with little in common forged such a strong bond. I think an updated version should be published since he has been exonerated. Also I’m interested in hearing how he is compensated for 30 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
I liked how two cell mates with little in common forged such a strong bond. I think an updated version should be published since he has been exonerated. Also I’m interested in hearing how he is compensated for 30 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
November 5, 2018
Good book
I enjoyed this book very much. I would have liked a bit more of the ending. The characters are done well i felt like I knew them.
I enjoyed this book very much. I would have liked a bit more of the ending. The characters are done well i felt like I knew them.
January 5, 2019
Interesting.
It goes to shows how the police work to convict innocent people of crimes they didn't commit. Shame on them!
It goes to shows how the police work to convict innocent people of crimes they didn't commit. Shame on them!
May 10, 2019
Imperfect incarceration system that leads to a friendship with an unbreakable bond of caring and helping to set things right.
June 25, 2021
Another intriguing look at injustices in Chicago that makes you want to dig deeper.
October 12, 2021
I hope and pray things work out well for Lee. I am so thankful for people like Robert. Justice is not always justice. The truth seems to have too many versions. . .
January 2, 2022
This depiction of police misconduct, resulting in the incarceration of an innocent individual, is appalling.
August 20, 2022
Focusing on how easy it is to end up incarcerated for a crime you did not commit.
October 31, 2022
This is a good story with a good message, but the narration is not good. It almost ruins the experience.
January 27, 2024
Cellmates
A fact based interesting report on an inmate who says he is innocent. This story will probably pull at your heart strings.
A fact based interesting report on an inmate who says he is innocent. This story will probably pull at your heart strings.
March 20, 2024
So informative. Well written and easy to follow. Prison is awful.
Read
July 13, 2024Audio
January 5, 2025
Friendship during the hardest of circumstances.
September 5, 2018
Robert was good on keeping his promise to help Lee. Lee's story of how & why his incarceration occurred was astounding and had many layers.
August 11, 2019
Expose about two men incarcerated together at Joliet. Lee Harris was convicted of murder in 1992, partially because he was an unpaid police informant that lied. He told a detective everything the detective fed him about the murder - when he wasn't even there. Two officers, he thought he was friends with introduced him to the detective. He is still incarcerated serving a 90 year sentence. Robert Chattler was convicted of burglary and possession of a controlled substance. They met in 2001 when Robert was assigned to Lee's cell. Robert promised to help Lee get out, Robert is still working on this effort. Interesting and at times a touching story. (free prime read)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews