Prosecutor Drops Case Against 2 Imprisoned In 1995 Murder

FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2015, file photo, Kim Foxx, then a candidate for Cook County state’s attorney, speaks at a news conference in Chicago. Foxx, the Chicago area’s top prosecutor says her office is starting a new effort to target gun crimes in city neighborhoods and revamping a branch of her office that investigates possible wrongful convictions. State’s Attorney Foxx said Wednesday, March 15, 2017 that attorneys from her office are teaming up with federal prosecutors in two police districts that have some of the highest violence rates.
Kim Foxx, then a candidate for Cook County state's attorney, speaks at a news conference in Chicago in December 2015. M. Spencer Green / AP Photo
FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2015, file photo, Kim Foxx, then a candidate for Cook County state’s attorney, speaks at a news conference in Chicago. Foxx, the Chicago area’s top prosecutor says her office is starting a new effort to target gun crimes in city neighborhoods and revamping a branch of her office that investigates possible wrongful convictions. State’s Attorney Foxx said Wednesday, March 15, 2017 that attorneys from her office are teaming up with federal prosecutors in two police districts that have some of the highest violence rates.
Kim Foxx, then a candidate for Cook County state's attorney, speaks at a news conference in Chicago in December 2015. M. Spencer Green / AP Photo

Prosecutor Drops Case Against 2 Imprisoned In 1995 Murder

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CHICAGO (AP) — Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx is dropping the case against two men who’ve been imprisoned since 1995 for a double murder they say they didn’t commit.

Earlier this week, prosecutors argued that Roberto Almodovar and William Negron shouldn’t receive a new trial. But in a Wednesday statement Foxx reversed course, saying prosecutors would withdraw their opposition after a “thorough and deliberate” evidence review.

Detective Reynaldo Guevara helped gather evidence against the men. He’s since been accused of coercing witnesses. In 2015, a state appellate court ruled the case deserved closer scrutiny.

A final hearing is Friday when Almodovar could be released. Negron is expected to remain imprisoned on a different murder conviction.

Almodovar’s attorney says Foxx’s office did the right thing and it’s been a long struggle for the men.