An amazing story of miscarrage of justice, absolutely true. in Illinois

[Stuart G]

This one is amazing in its complexity and complete failure of the system of justice in Illinois, unbelievable, but true.

Ronando Cruz, was tried 3 times for murder of an Illinois girl... Jeanine Nicarico ... .Yes..3 times. Twice found guilty once a mistrial.
There was no physical evidence, but they went after him anyway.
The District Attorney, Jim Ryan..(no relation to Governor George Ryan) in the case was a leading Dupage County politician, who although there was another susupect, Brian Dugan,
went after Cruz anyway.
..Read the story for yourself. It is real, and verifiable. I followed it while it was happening.
This was in all the Chicago papers, and went national when Governor George Ryan, (yes, the same one in jail now) pardoned him
cause another person was proven guilty. The death penalty in Illinois was suspended partly cause of this case..

It is somewhat complicated and involved, but if you got 10 mintues to read an incredible miscarriage of justice, here it is.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolando_Cruz_case

this is taken from the above link.... ..please read entire story to see how much they wanted this guy. It is a miracle he is still alive.

"Rolando Cruz, a 20 year-old gang member from Aurora, was not initially a person of interest for the crime until he attempted to claim the $10,000 reward for information on the murder with a fabricated story There was enormous public and political pressure on the state attorney's office to solve the highly publicized case and the police and prosecutors became convinced of Cruz's guilt. One of the investigating detectives however was convinced of Cruz's innocence and resigned so he could testify for the defense. Later an Assistant Attorney General, Mary Brigid Kenney, also resigned claiming "I was being asked to help execute an innocent man".
In 1987 Cruz, along with Alejandro Hernandez and Stephen Buckley, were charged with Jeanine's rape and murder despite a lack of evidence. Cruz and Hernandez were convicted in a joint trial and sentenced to death. The jury deadlocked on Buckley and he was not retried."...much more at above link and below too.

another link from Northwestern University
http://www.law.northwestern.edu/wrongfulconvictions/exonerations/ilCruzSummary.html

aftermath of story. Partly because of this case and a number of others like it.. The following happened:


On March 11, 2011, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation abolishing the death penalty in Illinois into law.

[PeaceNikki]

1. I was living in DuPage County from 87 til 2000 and heard a lot of this while it was going on.

It's jawdropping.