Connor Echols, Author at Injustice Watch

Pennsylvania death row inmate deemed “likely innocent” shows virus symptoms

A Pennsylvania inmate whom the Philadelphia prosecutor has concluded is “likely innocent” has symptoms of coronavirus as he remains incarcerated, awaiting a hearing that was postponed amid precautions related to the outbreak.

by Connor Echols March 19, 2020January 8, 2024

2020 Primary

Cook County judicial primary election ensures more diverse bench

Democratic Party picks did not all glide to victory and one-third of appointed judges lost their seats.

by Emily Hoerner and Connor Echols March 18, 2020December 5, 2023

Court Administration

Cook County Circuit Court to dramatically scale back operations due to coronavirus

The court will suspend all non-essential matters for 30 days starting Tuesday, the chief judge told presiding judges in a three-hour meeting on Friday.

by John Seasly and Connor Echols March 13, 2020January 8, 2024

Court Administration

Cook County justice system responds to Coronavirus outbreak

As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Illinois hit 25 on Wednesday, officials throughout the state’s justice system are moving to respond to the new threat.

by Connor Echols March 11, 2020December 5, 2023

2020 Primary

Lawsuit alleges judicial candidate helped Detective Guevara frame an innocent man

Frank DiFranco, who is running for judge in the 12th subcircuit Republican primary, is accused of knowingly taking a false confession that sent a man to prison for 27 years.

by Connor Echols February 29, 2020December 5, 2023

Criminal Courts

Man cleared in 2002 Fourth of July murder awarded certificate of innocence

The certificate comes nearly two years after a federal court vacated Eric Blackmon’s conviction and ordered him released from prison. Prosecutors tried to block the certificate, but a judge ruled in Blackmon’s favor.

by Connor Echols February 24, 2020December 5, 2023

2020 Primary

Judicial candidate resigns from political position that appeared to violate ethics rules

The candidate, Matt Flamm, denied Thursday that his resignation had anything to do with the likely ethics violation.

by Connor Echols February 13, 2020December 5, 2023

Prosecutors

Report: Fewer Black and Latinx defendants sentenced to prison under Foxx

Under Kim Foxx, 300 fewer Black and Latinx defendants have been sentenced to prison each month, compared with previous years, a new report finds.

by Connor Echols February 12, 2020December 5, 2023

2020 Primary

Cook County judicial candidate Arthur Sutton has history of disciplinary issues

A candidate for judge was forced to resign from the Illinois Department of Corrections after his teenage son used his service weapon on two separate occasions.

by Connor Echols February 4, 2020December 5, 2023

2020 Primary

Palatine committeeman’s judicial bid appears to violate ethics rules

Democratic Palatine committeeman Matt Flamm is running for the Democratic nomination for a judicial seat. Legal experts say that violates the judicial canons intended to minimize the role of politics on the judiciary.

by Connor Echols January 29, 2020December 5, 2023

Get our weekly newsletter