The Long Road

Newlyweds Are Murdered. Now, 20 Years Later, Were The Convicted Men Guilty?

(CBS)  The students graduated years ago, feeling as if they had left one course with an incomplete grade. "We left this unfinished business, but there was nothing that we could do," explains Kirsten Searer.

They thought they had done the impossible, finding new witnesses, new evidence. Enough, they thought, to lead to a new police investigation.

But Whitlock and Steidl stayed right where they had been for more than a decade: in prison.

The student sleuths began their careers in journalism. Then, five years after they began working on the case, came the story the students wished they had been able to write.

In a remarkable reversal of fortune, a federal judge ruled that Randy Steidl’s original attorney had made a big mistake in not challenging the credibility of the two "eyewitnesses," a mistake that could have affected the verdict.

All charges were dropped, and Steidl, once on death row, was now a free man.

"I'm glad the ceiling in my home is high enough to accommodate how high I jumped,” Protess remembers, laughing.

As Steidl left the prison, two of the former students showed up to meet him, Greg Jonsson and Kirsten Searer.

Steidl says he was surprised to see them. "I’m really happy that David Protess and those kids got involved,” he says.

But Kirsten Searer says someone was missing. "You just couldn’t help feeling guilty for being there when Herb (Whitlock) was still in prison."

While Steidl’s case was heard by a federal judge, Whitlock’s case had stayed in the state system, where his appeals had been heard repeatedly, and repeatedly denied.

"I finally got a real judge in federal court who actually read the record for the very first time that, I believe, in 15, 16 years had ever been looked at," says Steidl.

After Steidl’s success, Whitlock tried again, asking a state judge to overturn his conviction based on the same issues of questionable evidence and inadequate legal counsel. But the judge dealt Whitlock a stunning blow, ruling that his lawyer did an adequate job and that the eyewitnesses, on the issues that mattered, could be believed.

"Which means we have one of the most horrible miscarriages of justice in our state's history where, based on the same pathetic evidence, one man could be free while Herb Whitlock languishes in prison for the rest of his life. And that would just be a tragedy beyond words,” says Protess.

Steidl says he knows the situation could just as easily have been reversed. He says he thinks about that a lot, and only hopes that, somehow, Whitlock will eventually also be free.

Meanwhile, Steidl struggles to re-establish his life. He has a new job at a local factory and a determination to fit in, learning about all the changes that have happened in the last 17 years.

"I am still adjusting on a daily basis. It’s a struggle," says Steidl.

While Steidl adjusts to life as a free man, Whitlock filed yet another appeal based both on ineffective counsel and on a new claim: the prosecution withholding evidence. This time an appeals court saw it his way. Finally, on Jan. 8, 2008, Whitlock gets the news he has waited so long to hear: his conviction is overturned. At last, he too is free.

For the first time in two decades, Whitlock turns his back on prison and is able to hold hands with his daughter. "To tell you the truth I didn’t think I’d ever get out of there," he said.

A few days later, he returns to a place he once called home. "I knew it was getting in bad shape but I didn’t realize how bad," he remarked, seeing the family farm.

"I’m angry, but I’m not necessarily bitter not gonna rap myself up with anger with what’s been done," Whitlock said.

But Whitlock’s eager to get to work, and says he going to restore the farm.

Determined to make up for lost time, he said, "I’m going to put it back to at least like it was when I lived here."

"Everybody’s got to make the best out of their circumstances in life no matter what it is. That’s not hokey, that’s the truth," he said.

But for the Rhoads family, who always had doubts about the investigation into the murders of Karen and Dyke, justice will only come when they know what really happened that hot July night so long ago.

"It’s just not something you’re able to be at peace with all," says Dyke’s sister, Andrea.

"It’s like an open sore that just doesn’t heal. The truth is still out there in my view," says his brother, Tony.

"And I think it will be found someday," Andrea adds.

---

The Dyke and Karen Rhoads murder investigation has been reopened.

Prosecutors say Randy Steidl and Herb Whitlock remain suspects and could be tried again for the murders.

[believerintruejustice]

I applaud the Innocence Project and thank God they exist. My man was wrongfully accused as well. Spent all our money on two attorneys, the first one did NOTHING. He spoke of things he was "going" to do; investigate, talk with people, even go out to scene where "alleged" crime occured. NEVER, do you hear me, NEVER did anything stated. I would like to give details on the incompetence from A to Z, just like others would. . . but will contain myself for the moment. All the folks round here said they never seen or heard of such an injustice like what was done to my man. Only thing my man got going for him IS the Innocence Project. They contacted him a while back & we both sit patiently, praying they take own his case. We done lost everything & if they don't take his case ..... he'll be another innocent person rotting in prison for something he didn't do. We got our faith in God, yet the entire family & friends keep on praying they take his case. They all we got left & I know I'll end up in the hospital if our last hope is gone. Its been about 2 years now & I still can't get thru the day without crying. When you ain't got nothing left & nobody else to turn to, you just about go insane. Go to The Innocence Project on the internet and read what they about. Look for yourself how awesome they are. Its because of these marvelous & dedicated people that "some" laws have been changed. I call them our HOPE for we had none. My man & me learned that when you think all hope is gone ... there's The Innocence Project. God Bless Ya'll & thank God for some mighty warriors!!!

[rad1025]

I must say after reading all the comments here that pertain to the issue, that few of the readers have a grasp on the realities of our justice system.
One comments that the investigators should be embarassed.
I only saw one investigator mentioned, and I doubt, at the time this took place, if Paris, Il. had more than one investigator.
Almost every ill of our system can be traced to one thing. Lack of money, or the realities of municiplal budgets. It is the same thing.
Statistically speaking, for every 7 convicted inmates in our sytem one is innocent. With almost 4 million people involved in our nations prison system that translates into a lot of innocent people in jail.
As our municipalities find themselves awash in a sea of crime, they have to cope in the best way they can, and that translates into shortcuts.
If the Police tell the DA they think this man did it, the DA doesn''t really have the time or the resources to challenge that, and as most of the time (6 out of 7 anyway) they are right the DA''s actually believe they are persuing the correct individuals.
Then it becomes a game. They must do X to get the convition. How many cases each week? Each month? Each year? Do you honestly believe anyone can feel compasion for an endless stream of names?
One death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic.

[garuleb52]

NOTICE: I posted a comment back on 3/2/08. I haven''t thoroughly read everybody''s comments, but does anybody know where and how we can influence (and I mean INFLUENCE!) the Courts (here in North Carolina)? They should give my son''s case the attention it deserves and study how the legal system is working.

[kevnrm-2009]

My cousin Berry Bolin was wrongfully convicted of voluntary manslaughter. While at a friends residence, A group of people that had made numerous threats arrived starting a fight. One of these people having a bond restriction preventing him from being within so many feet of the owner of the residence. The police ignored that fact among many others. They had no evidence to convict Berry of this crime. I sat through the trial and have seen guilty people walk out of the court room with more evidence than that! Again, if you or anyone you know can help please contact us @ [e-mail]

[luannb1]

Berry Bolin is my nephew. Everything about his conviction was unfair and very wrong! York County failed to properly investigate from the start and the solicitor set out for a conviction and used this case to set an example to young people in the community. Please if anyone can help, contact us @ [e-mail]

[mitchbolin]

Yes, it is so very sad! Two years ago, My son Berry Bolin was charged and convicted of voluntary manslaughter with no evidence. He couldn''t have a fair trial because the investigation was not fair. If you can help or know someone that can please contact me @ [e-mail]

[mitchbolin]

Yes, it is so very sad! Two years ago, My son Berry Bolin was charged and convicted of voluntary manslaughter with no evidence. He couldn''t have a fair trial because the investigation was not fair. If you can help or know someone that can please contact me @ [e-mail]

[fdering]

48 Hours Mystery keeps getting better all the time, and it was always great! You really outdid yourselves on March 2nd with the story about the young couple and the two men who were wrongfully convicted for their murder.

[awinslow2]

The two eye witnesses appear to be of questionable character. Motive appears to be very important in this case. The case could be drug related or be related to what Karen witnessed. I''m not convinced either way. Further investigation relating to the company she worked for may yield significant information or eliminate suspects outside the community.

[rd22261]

Good story 3/1/2008, but need to go much deeper. All this info has been there for quite some time. Morgan(Karen''s boss)is into it up to his neck and so is states attorney in covering it up. A resident told me that when he first moved to Paris before the murder that he was told that this attorney in town had the best drugs! Before he was states attorney. Check out his background. Few years before the Rhoads murder there was a deputy killed by train. This was drug related too. He was dead before train got to him. Pizza Connection drug case ring any bells in relation to Paris,IL? Back to Morgan, Donations to campaign of now imprisoned George Ryan. Ex-Gov of IL. Too politically sensitive ? Ryan shreaded most all the papers of his office when he left both the Sec of states office and the Gov office. Top official of Jesse Whites office can confirm this. They saw it both times. The politics of Paris have been dirty for 30-40 yrs at least.

[bcolvin24]

Any reason why these innocent people have refused to have lie detector exams? Never has been mentioned.

[lynne_m1]

Pitiful that these men spent so many years in prison for a crime they did not commit, while the real killer(killers) are roaming the earth somewhere. I wonder what this new investigation will find and those officers that investigated this the first time, I wonder how they sleep at night knowing that they did a horrible job and that a group of "STUDENTS" did better than they did! I hope the families get the answers they so deserve after all these years.

My only hope would be that when Karen saw what she had seen in that parking lot, which made her so afraid, that she did mention names.

[mary227]

Thank you to David Protess and to CBS.
What bothers me is the lack of accountability that the legal profession has and the low standards of conduct it holds itself to.
In many cases which are overturned there is prosecutorial malfeasance, especially including exculpatory evidence that is not turned over to the defense. Yet, how often do the stories finish with the prosecutors losing their licenses or even being diciplined? Amost Never. Examples like Nifong in the Duke Lacrosse case should be the rule. Instead they are the very rare exception...and probably only happened in the Lacrosse case because of the power and connections of Duke and the parents, their wealth and the notoriety of the case.
Judges fail us too, over and over. Where is the demand of the profession for studies which show that given the same set of circumstances most judges will make the same decisions? Why doesn''t the legal profession demand this of itself?
Until the legal system demands more of itself and can demonstrate such, I cannot participate as a juror.

[onlyoneruby]

This kind of incident is sadly all to common and hedious in this day in this country. Two innocent men and their families have litrally been tortured for over 2 decades. Over zealous procecuters, incompetent investigators and corrupt government need to be held "ACCOUNTABLE" in such incidents, they need to know that when they fail to do their jobs properly that they will be held accountable and they will pay for their crime''s and make no mistake, it is a crime. Prosecuter''s are suppose to seek truth and justice not simply get a conviction, a win, this is a disgusting mentality to have in our justice system and it needs to be addressed. It''s unacceptable that this kind of thing happens frequently in the greatest nation on earth. All of our heads should be hung in shame and disgrace for allowing this type of injustice, so flagrant, to continually occur. Our law maker''s need to set some standards and consequences to deal with these issues, it should have been done already. "ACCOUNTABILITY", "ETHICS", "INTEGRITY", "MORALITY" and let''s add, "COMMON DECENCY" are NOT just words. People, wake up, this could have been you! YOU could be the next victim of this type of "CRIME", think about it! Who would save you? How long would it take? What would it cost you? your family? Maybe we should inact preventative measures NOW...

[garuleb52]

This story is one of many that I have tuned into because I am a victim - of a victim - of injustice. The work of the Northwestern students guided by their college instructor is becoming noticeably common in our communities and vital to overturn the injustice that happens so often. Now this injustice may not always be obvious. An appeal typically focuses on 4 main issues. Mis-actions by the court (judge), the prosecutor, defense counsel and the jury. However, these appeals are extremely confined in scope and do not allow the appellate courts the freedom and impetus to grant a new trial, much less a reversal of the conviction. They are weighted by a common thread in our lives. The ridiculous amounts of money required to properly appeal a wrongful conviction is a pity on the men (and women) who were improperly served by the legal system. If you don''t have it, you then become society''s victim of a victim of injustice. And again, this injustice revolves around any of the 4 parts of the pie. I plan on monitoring this website and comments area. If you would register and login to post your comment, we can continue this communication and find a way to right what might be wrong.

[wantingtruth]

Since the case is now reopened, I''d like to know if anyone is actively investigating this case. It it is being investigated - is ts being done by the local police, State Police or Feds?

[cozumelcuz]

There is a black man named Carlton Gary on Georgia''s death row. He has been there since 1986. Gary was railroaded by Columbus Police and two racist, overzealous young DA''s. It took six years after the torture and strangling of those seven elderly white women, to find a scape goat that they could pin it on...somebody PLEASE go down to Columbus, GA and open up that Pandora''s box...that case has never gotten from under the rug that it was swept under...nobody has ever heard about the Case of the Columbus Stocking Strangler...it is time for the media to go down there and ask and keep asking questions.

[irisheyes555]

Rarely do small town police departments have enough experience or resources to do a really excellent investigation and may "settle" for an easy arrest and conviction. Unfortunately, it happens a lot. Look at the Innocence Project. They have exonerated many convicted murderers, and while I do not know how many of those exonerated people are from small towns, I''d bet they comprise a great percentage. The point is that law enforcement often does not investigate all leads, and make a theory on who killed the victim(s) based on building a case early on, rather than investigating any and all leads. This is exactly what happened to John and Patsy Ramsey with the death of their daughter, JonBenet. Boulder law enforcement had very little experience in murder investigations and came off looking like the Keystone Cops, and the Ramseys lived their lives under suspicion from then on. I know this is true: I''m from there. The Ramseys were eventually exonerated as suspects in a court of law, but the media paid very little attention to it, and the real murderer went free and is free to this day.

[tbone6648]

How can a Police Dept representing the state be so incompetent. This corrupted police dept has not only caused pain to the wrongly accused but also to the family of the victims who are seeking justice. I think it is the least this police department owes them. How they could still consider the wrongly accused suspects shows how incompetent they truly are. This story brought tears to my eyes and outraged me so much I just had to coment.