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Two brothers, two choices: a plea bargain’s toll on the innocent
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Henry and Juan Johnson, wrongly convicted of murder, won a new trial after 11 years in prison. The prosecutor offered to let them walk free — if they pleaded guilty.
Debtors’ prison faces Oklahoma defendants, lawsuit states
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A civil rights lawsuit filed Thursday contends that Oklahoma, the state with a higher incarceration rate than anywhere else in the country, operates debtors’ prisons, as defendants end up with increasing fines and more jail time simply for being poor.
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As it overturns conviction, Illinois appeals court chastises Cook County judge
An Illinois appellate panel has overturned a 1990 murder conviction, finding that Chicago police detectives had coerced the confession of the defendant. The court found that Cook County judge Neera Walsh’s decision to disbelieve the abuse was “arbitrary” and “manifestly wrong.”
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Firefighter acquitted of arson; defense contends case built on racial animus
A south suburban Cook County firefighter was acquitted of committing arson on a bar he owned. The defense contended that the state had brought a false case, and contended the investigator had expressed racial comments in the past to the defendant.
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In two cases, Illinois appeals judges split on protections in criminal cases
If Illinois defendants never told jury of their own abuse, now a second chance
Committee votes end use of controversial Cook County gang database