Criminal background and massive arrest record
To date, Miles has been arrested 396 times for assault, armed robbery, prostitution and public intoxication. In an April 2012 Sun-Times report, Stefano Esposito blamed the justice system for not helping Miles, saying they didn't “save Miles from herself or help the communities she menaces.” He also said she knew how to “work the system.”
Why was Miles finally offered help? She chased Ald. James Cappleman (46th award) while wielding a knife, was on parole after serving three years for an armed robbery conviction, but was arrested while on parole which triggered her return to prison. She pleaded guilty to the Cappleman charge and two separate charges of trespassing and drinking alcohol on a public way. The alderman, who is also a social worker, asked authorities to help Miles and is relieved about the plea and treatment deal.
Why was Miles finally offered help? She chased Ald. James Cappleman (46th award) while wielding a knife, was on parole after serving three years for an armed robbery conviction, but was arrested while on parole which triggered her return to prison. She pleaded guilty to the Cappleman charge and two separate charges of trespassing and drinking alcohol on a public way. The alderman, who is also a social worker, asked authorities to help Miles and is relieved about the plea and treatment deal.
Personal encounter with Miles
Miles roamed freely in Edgewater, begged for money, and it was inevitable she would approach me, because I live in the neighborhood. It was obvious she was under the influence and wanted money to supply a habit. What wasn't as readily apparent was the severity of her mental illness, although I'm aware the mentally ill often self-medicate with drugs.
In 2012, I was walking on Bryn Mawr Avenue, a historic, busy street in Edgewater. I had seen a woman (who I later recognized as Miles from a newspaper picture) standing in front of a 7-11 on previous occasions. She said nothing to me when I passed, but on the way back, she said, “Hey mama, you got some change to spare?” I replied I was sorry I didn't.
She then commented on my hair and told me I thought I was prettier than her. She said my hair was "all natural, unprocessed and longer," which in her mind, made me “prettier," per her verbal assessment. She then inquired as to my marital status: married, gay or “Jesus” (meaning was I “born again” and leading a celibate life)?
Then she declared I was gay, although I'm not. She said, “I have never seen you walking out here with a man.” She then proceeded to tell me she had experienced sexual encounters with women while in prison and crudely propositioned me. I politely declined.
As I walked away, she grabbed my breasts. There was a brief encounter in which I defended myself from violation, thwarted her attempts at assault and continued toward home. After all, I'm a mythical African American "super woman" who feels no pain.
I thought of calling the police, but knew it would go nowhere. Everything happened so swiftly. Who would be my witness, and didn't I handle the situation? To say the least, I was stunned. Shortly after the potentially violent, near assault by Miles, which I relayed to a neighborhood gentleman, he told me he knew her from “way back,” she had been arrested, and once again, incarcerated.
In 2012, I was walking on Bryn Mawr Avenue, a historic, busy street in Edgewater. I had seen a woman (who I later recognized as Miles from a newspaper picture) standing in front of a 7-11 on previous occasions. She said nothing to me when I passed, but on the way back, she said, “Hey mama, you got some change to spare?” I replied I was sorry I didn't.
She then commented on my hair and told me I thought I was prettier than her. She said my hair was "all natural, unprocessed and longer," which in her mind, made me “prettier," per her verbal assessment. She then inquired as to my marital status: married, gay or “Jesus” (meaning was I “born again” and leading a celibate life)?
Then she declared I was gay, although I'm not. She said, “I have never seen you walking out here with a man.” She then proceeded to tell me she had experienced sexual encounters with women while in prison and crudely propositioned me. I politely declined.
As I walked away, she grabbed my breasts. There was a brief encounter in which I defended myself from violation, thwarted her attempts at assault and continued toward home. After all, I'm a mythical African American "super woman" who feels no pain.
I thought of calling the police, but knew it would go nowhere. Everything happened so swiftly. Who would be my witness, and didn't I handle the situation? To say the least, I was stunned. Shortly after the potentially violent, near assault by Miles, which I relayed to a neighborhood gentleman, he told me he knew her from “way back,” she had been arrested, and once again, incarcerated.
Root of problems and recent history
Chiampas told Miles, “All of us are reaching out to you and offering you, maybe for the first time in your life, a hand, OK? But you've got to reach out and grab all of our hands as well.” Reportedly she told the judge, “I just want to thank you,” adding “I'm not that person,” meaning the person who was known to shriek in courthouse lockups. She has been at Lincoln's Logan Correctional Center since December, in downstate Illinois.
Miles was abused as a child, according to a sister who is now successful, and asked that her name be withheld. When asked how she attained success and Miles didn't, the sister said she had a foster family who loved her, whereas Miles who did not, became pregnant at age 14 and embarked on a life of crime. The sister said childhood abuse is “the root” of all of Miles' problems.
Despite the near assault, I hope Miles' treatment effects a change in her life. It's probably too little and beyond too late. She should have been offered help decades ago, as her massive arrest record commenced in 1978 when she was a teen.
A release date is pending for Miles, and the terms include intense supervision. The justice system indeed failed her, as it has countless other mentally ill individuals who are repeat offenders.
Miles was abused as a child, according to a sister who is now successful, and asked that her name be withheld. When asked how she attained success and Miles didn't, the sister said she had a foster family who loved her, whereas Miles who did not, became pregnant at age 14 and embarked on a life of crime. The sister said childhood abuse is “the root” of all of Miles' problems.
Despite the near assault, I hope Miles' treatment effects a change in her life. It's probably too little and beyond too late. She should have been offered help decades ago, as her massive arrest record commenced in 1978 when she was a teen.
A release date is pending for Miles, and the terms include intense supervision. The justice system indeed failed her, as it has countless other mentally ill individuals who are repeat offenders.
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