Categories: U.S.

Illinois judge overturns double-murder conviction of Chicago man following 34 years of imprisonment

close Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for August 29

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

A judge on Tuesday vacated the double-murder conviction of a Chicago man who has spent the last 34 years in prison for the shooting deaths of two 14-year-old boys.

Francisco Benitez, 52, maintained his innocence in a motion for post-conviction relief, saying he had an alibi for the April 28, 1989, slayings of Prudencio Cruz and William Sanchez and that he was being framed by Chicago police detectives.

Cook County Judge Sophia Atcherson made the ruling, citing evidence supporting Benitez’s innocence presented during a hearing earlier this year. She released Benitez on a personal recognizance bond with electronic monitoring.

JAMAICAN MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN PENNSYLVANIA COURT TO SWEEPSTAKES SCHEME THAT TARGETED ELDERLY AMERICANS

Francisco Benitez’s double-murder conviction has been overturned after a judge in Illinois ruled that evidence supported his innocence. (Fox News)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

However, Benitez still faces murder charges because prosecutors haven’t dropped the case.

“This has been a very, very long road, and I’m glad my son is coming home,” his mother, Betty Benitez, said.

“This is not normal,” said Joshua Tepfer, one of Benitez’s attorneys from the Exoneration Project, of the volume of overturned convictions in Cook County. “It’s an epidemic. It’s a human rights violation.”

Share

Recent Posts

Mars study suggests ocean’s amount of water could be miles beneath red planet’s surface

New research suggests Mars could have enough water under its surface to form a global…

4 weeks ago

Perseid meteor shower peaks Sunday night, potentially giving stargazers big show

The Perseid meteor shower peaks late Sunday night, and given that it will be paired…

4 weeks ago

Scientists discover massive cave on moon that could be used to shelter astronauts

An Italian-led team of scientists say they have confirmed evidence of a sizable cave on…

2 months ago

Anna Paulina Luna calls for $10,000 per day fine on Garland for Biden-Hur audio tape

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., is now threatening to force a vote on a measure…

2 months ago

Whitmer claims those who think Biden can’t win Michigan are ‘full of s—’

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took to social media to call out critics who say President…

2 months ago

Longtime Biden Senate colleague calls for ‘new candidate’ after Biden debate performance: ‘Disaster’

Former Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, who served with President Biden in Congress for over 20…

2 months ago