7 men seek overturn of wrongful convictions, blame disgraced CPD detective
The Exoneration Project will file petitions for all seven men to ask a court to overturn the convictions, so they can get certificates of innocence.
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The Exoneration Project will file petitions for all seven men to ask a court to overturn the convictions, so they can get certificates of innocence.
Seven men who said they were wrongfully convicted of crimes due to the alleged misconduct of retired Chicago police detective Reynaldo Guevara are seeking to have those convictions overturned.
Wayne Washington recently went to apply for a Michigan Concealed Pistol License – and was swiftly denied because his wrongful conviction was still appearing.
Wayne Washington, who was exonerated of a 1993 murder and received a certificate of innocence last year, recently went to apply for a Michigan Concealed Pistol License – and was swiftly denied because his wrongful conviction was still appearing. CBS 2 Investigator Megan Hickey reports.
Soto spent 42 years for a murder he did not commit. CBS 2's Shardaa Gray reports on his first Christmas Eve home with his wife.
Soto spent more than 40 Christmas Eves in prison, after a wrongful conviction for a murder he didn't commit.
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.
