Emily Hoerner, Senior Reporter at Injustice Watch

After 40 years, Illinois legislature moves to restore possible parole for youth

Illinois legislature sent the governor a bill Wednesday that would offer the possibility of parole to prisoners who commit crimes before their 21st birthday. Prison reform supporters hope it becomes first step in offering the possibility of parole to all prisoners, a right taken away 40 years ago.

by Emily Hoerner November 28, 2018December 5, 2023

Judicial Conduct

No more HOPE: Cook County court program halted after years of problems

For years officials heard that a court designed to help keep offenders out of prison was flawed, and complaints grew that the judge in charge was a key part of the problem. Frustrated that the issues were not fixed, state officials this month cut off the court’s funding, ending the program.

by Emily Hoerner and Sarah Conway October 26, 2018February 6, 2024

Juvenile Justice

Illinois Supreme Court: Juvenile protections do not extend to 18-year-olds

The Illinois Supreme Court Thursday declined to expand sentencing protections afforded to juveniles to an 18-year-old offender, reversing an Illinois appellate court ruling that held unconstitutional a 76-year sentence without hope of parole to a defendant who committed murder at 18.

by Emily Hoerner October 18, 2018December 5, 2023

Archive

Lawsuit: Corrupt Kansas City, KS cop framed man after mother spurned sex

A year after being exonerated, Lamonte McIntyre and his mother file suit, contending he was victim of corrupt Kansas City, KS police that officials tolerated for decades.

by Rick Tulsky and Emily Hoerner October 12, 2018December 5, 2023

Appeals and Wrongful Convictions

After 14 years, DuPage judge overturns murder conviction

Randy Liebich was convicted in 2002 of murdering two-year-old Steven Quinn, based on head injuries that doctors identified after Quinn, unresponsive, was rushed to the hospital. That conviction was overturned amid doubts that the injuries implicated Liebich, who had been caring for Quinn, as the murderer.

by Emily Hoerner September 14, 2018December 5, 2023

Archive

Update: Medical examiner in Dupage murder raises doubts

The medical examiner whose testimony in DuPage County post-trial proceedings on whether convicted murderer Randy Liebich should be granted a new trial told Injustice Watch on Thursday that she is concerned the investigation into the death of toddler Steven Quinn was inadequate.

by Emily Hoerner September 13, 2018December 5, 2023

Archive

DuPage judge considers overturning 2004 murder conviction on flawed evidence

Randy Liebich, convicted in 2004 of beating to death his girlfriend’s two-year-old son, awaits a decision by a DuPage County judge on whether his conviction will be overturned based on available medical evidence calling into question whether the child could have been injured while in Liebich’s care. Defense attorneys did not present such evidence at the original trial.

by Emily Hoerner September 13, 2018December 5, 2023

Katrina Burlet speaks at a press conference with small crowd of supporters behind her

Illinois Prisons

Illinois prison officials quashed First Amendment rights, lawsuit says

A lawsuit contends the Illinois Department of Corrections halted a debate program not for security, but because prisoners had found a way to raise concerns with legislators and other state officials.

by Jeanne Kuang and Emily Hoerner August 28, 2018December 5, 2023

Archive

Drama erupts around conviction integrity unit, Kansas City case

More than 50 current and former law enforcement officials have signed a letter backing the creation of a conviction integrity unit in Kansas City, Kansas after a high profile exoneration uncovered flaws in the justice system there last year. Police and the local district attorney disagree on whether the local prosecutor should have authority to reexamine cases.

by Emily Hoerner August 8, 2018December 5, 2023

Parole and Clemency

Records of Illinois parole board show just how rarely inmates win release

Getting voting records of the members of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board dating back to 2013 was no easy task. Those records reveal a system in which aging prisoners locked up at least 40 years have almost no chance of winning support for their release from the board members, a majority of whom have denied about four of every five cases.

by Emily Hoerner and Jeanne Kuang July 27, 2018December 5, 2023

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