City of Elkhart to pay man nearly $12 million for wrongful conviction of 2002 murder
The city of Elkhart will pay nearly $12 million to Andrew Royer.
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The city of Elkhart will pay nearly $12 million to Andrew Royer.
Andrew Royer was wrongfully convicted of murder in 2002 and was exonerated in 2021.
Francisco Benitez claims two former detectives coerced him into a false confession, and also coerced two witnesses into falsely implicating him.
James Soto, 62, and David Ayala, 60 were wrongfully convicted in two 1981 murders and were expected to be released on Thursday.
Two cousins who have been incarcerated for more than 40 years were expected to be freed after a judge exonerated them on Thursday for two 1981 murders. CBS 2's Shardaa Gray went to the Cook County Jail, where one of the men was set to be released.
Two cousins who have been incarcerated for more than 40 years were expected to be freed after a judge exonerated them on Thursday for two 1981 murders. CBS 2's Shardaa Gray went to the Cook County Jail, where one of the men was set to be released. After the judge exonerated James Soto, 62, and David Ayala, 60, there were tears of joy from family members.
"Relief, happiness, it was just amazing to walk out of there," Brian Beals said after he was released from prison. "I'm ready to begin life again."
"I just want to thank everybody for not only giving me a second chance but not treating me like a criminal."
Massive payouts were given to avoid litigation because of the wrongdoing of police officers decades ago.
The City of Chicago has forked over tens of millions of dollars in recent years to people wrongfully convicted because of actions by Chicago police. Members of the City Council have asked whether the police officers involved in these cases are still getting their city pensions
Nicholas Trutenko and Andrew Horvat are charged in connection with the wrongful prosecution of Jackie Wilson.
"Chicago is the wrongfully convicted capital of the United States. So, we need to stop being that."
"This is a classic frame-up case the Chicago Police Department has perpetrated against a number of people."
Lee Harris said he lost 33 years he can't get back, but through his lawsuit he can make sure someone else doesn't lose that kind of time.
Francisco Benitez, 52, claimed Chicago police framed him. In August, his murder conviction was tossed out by a judge.
The city will be on the line for $20 million, and its insurance company will be responsible for the other $5 million.
CBS 2's Chris Tye is always investigating and has more on the Monday debate over that very question by the city's finance committee.
"I always knew he was innocent. I just never believed it would take this long."
On Thursday, a judge overturned Louis Robinson's conviction for a 1996 murder.
Tyrone Hood and Wayne Washington were cleared of the 1993 slaying of Marshall Morgan Jr. only after both had already spent years in prison.
We uncovered Washington's story last year, when he took his fight for his innocence all the way to the Illinois Supreme Court.
David Wright was just 17 years old when he says Chicago police detectives forced him to confess to the murder of his friends, 16-year-old Tyrone Rockett and 26-year-old Robert Smith, in 1994.
Reginald Henderson and Sean Tyler both spent more than 20 years in prison for a murder they did not commit.
Two brothers who were exonerated for a murder they did not commit after spending nearly 30 years in prison will try again on Thursday to get an official certificate of innocence.
Two brothers will learn on Monday if they will be given a certificate of innocence, after being exonerated for a murder they did not commit.
In a 54 to 37 vote, two Democrats voted with all Republicans in attendance to advance Sen. Markwayne Mullin's nomination. A final confirmation vote is expected in the coming days.
Chicago police on Sunday continued to question a person of interest in the shooting that killed Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman in Rogers Park.
Two Illinois State University students were among six people wounded in a mass shooting in downstate Normal, Illinois, early Sunday.
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry did a little spring cleaning this past week to spruce up a fan favorite artifact.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias this weekend issued a warning about a surge in text messages that falsely claim to come from his office or the DMV within it.
In a 54 to 37 vote, two Democrats voted with all Republicans in attendance to advance Sen. Markwayne Mullin's nomination. A final confirmation vote is expected in the coming days.
Robert Mueller served as FBI director from 2001 to 2013 and led the investigation into allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
Wait times aren't expected to improve until government funding is restored and TSA officers receive paychecks.
Chicago's public safety plan is in flux after Mayor Brandon Johnson fired his deputy mayor of community safety, Garien Gatewood.
It is unclear under what circumstances President Trump would authorize the use of U.S. troops on the ground in Iran.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias this weekend issued a warning about a surge in text messages that falsely claim to come from his office or the DMV within it.
Tenants at a South Loop luxury high-rise that has been plagued with problems like broken elevators are vowing to fight five-day eviction notices.
It's become an annual March Madness tradition at CBS Chicago, pitting our city's best eateries in direct competition in a foodie bracket challenge. We did pizza, we've done Italian beef, we've done Chicago dogs. This year, we're taking flight with wings.
For Cook County residents hoping to lower their property tax bills, applications are open for exemptions.
Officials in the north Chicago suburb of Wilmette issued a warning Tuesday about scammers who are impersonating representatives of village departments.
A new Iowa law bans local nondiscrimination protections on the basis of gender identity after the state became the first in the U.S. to roll back its civil rights code last year.
Food containing norovirus may smell and taste normal but still cause serious illness if consumed, FDA warns.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced a $1.5 billion investment from biotherapeutics company CSL for a new plasma therapy manufacturing plant in Kanakee.
When a doctor was told there was no cure for his daughter's condition, he was motivated to transform not only her health, but the lives of thousands of others.
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital announced this week that it is planning to open a new pediatric hospital in the west Chicago suburb of Downers Grove.
Hundreds of workers were locked out of the BP refinery in Whiting, Indiana, on Thursday after contract negotiations failed to produce a deal ahead of a midnight deadline.
The artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency industries have suffered a setback as they try to reshape the midterm elections and establish themselves as power players in American politics.
Wednesday marked the last day to help celebrate Lou Malnati's pizzeria's 55th birthday with a special deal.
Despite a rash of restaurant closures, veterans of the plant-based food business pushed back against prophecies of doom — and in one case argued that such closures notwithstanding, plant-based eating is only growing.
Two popular Chicago craft breweries – Half Acre Beer Co. and Maplewood Brewery & Distillery – announced on Tuesday they are merging to create a new "premier Chicago beverage company."
Following a ribbon-cutting attended by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Saturday, people were let inside the new space, at 5035 N. Broadway right off Argyle Street, for a special open house.
Chuck Norris' family said his death at 86 was sudden, but did not share any details on the cause.
ABC has canceled its already filmed season of "The Bachelorette" starring Taylor Frankie Paul after video surfaced of a 2023 incident in which she was charged with assault.
Acclaimed Chicago bar and music venue The Hideout has been sold to a performer and former employee, but the owners said it will carry on as the same beloved place that visitors have always known.
Afroman spoke to CBS News after he won the case, which tested the limits of parody and the license artists can take in social commentary directed at public figures.
Illinois dispatched double-digit seed VCU by 21 points. Ryan Baker reports from South Carolina.
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry did a little spring cleaning this past week to spruce up a fan favorite artifact.
The country has been seeing energy issues after the U.S. put an embargo on any oil being sent there, as President Trump calls for regime change.
The TimeLine Theatre this weekend celebrated its new home in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood.
Suzanne Le Mignot shows us some photos that she and producer extraordinaire Natalie McMillan took of Chicagohenge, and Mary Kay Kleist shows us a lot of snow in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Two Illinois State University students were among six people wounded in a mass shooting in downstate Normal, Illinois, early Sunday.
Chicago police on Sunday were looking for the driver behind a hit-and-run that left a teenage girl dead in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood.
Chicago police on Sunday continued to question a person of interest in the shooting that killed Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman in Rogers Park.
Canadian distance runner and four-time Olympian Mohammed Ahmed came in first in Chicago's Shamrock Shuffle on Sunday.
In a 54 to 37 vote, two Democrats voted with all Republicans in attendance to advance Sen. Markwayne Mullin's nomination. A final confirmation vote is expected in the coming days.
United Steel Workers union representatives said that some workers had already had their access cards deactivated.
Have you ever walked into a business with no employees? You may soon; autonomous businesses are becoming more popular.
Streets were left pooled with rainwater, and homes flooded after Sunday night's storms. Residents say there is one clear solution
Attorneys for the family of a woman killed in a crash during a high-speed police chase in 2017 say officers involved failed to activate their body cameras or turned them off during the pursuit.
A new specialized unit is being created to prosecute domestic violence homicides in Cook County, as these killings surged 15% last year, even as overall violent crime declined across Chicago.
Chanting in celebration, Illinois fans basked in a second-round victory in the tournament over Virginia Commonwealth University.
Illinois will now go on to face Houston on Thursday, March 26, at the Toyota Center.
Nathan MacKinnon had three assists in Colorado's 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, helping the Avalanche become the first NHL team to clinch a playoff spot this season.
The Fighting Illini are dreaming of a trip to the Sweet 16 after a dominating win Thursday night against Penn. Next up for No. 3-seeded Illinois is a showdown with No. 11 seed VCU on Saturday night.
David Mirkovic had 29 points and 17 rebounds, and No. 3 seed Illinois dominated No. 14 seed Penn 105-70 on Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Chicago police on Sunday continued to question a person of interest in the shooting that killed Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman in Rogers Park.
Two Illinois State University students were among six people wounded in a mass shooting in downstate Normal, Illinois, early Sunday.
Chicago police were investigating Sunday morning after a man was found shot in the head in the city's Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
One person was killed and two others were wounded in a shooting in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood Saturday night.
The ages of the victims range from 22 to 57, according to Chicago police.
