John Seasly, Author at Injustice Watch

Prisoner Review Board considers clemency for woman once sentenced to die

Marilyn Mulero pleaded guilty 26 years ago to a gang-retaliation murder and for years was under a death sentence. But on Wednesday the Illinois Prisoner Review Board considered whether to recommend that Gov. J.B. Pritzker grant Mulero clemency, based on mounting doubts about the conviction. The Cook County state’s attorney’s office argues to leave the conviction intact.

by John Seasly October 9, 2019December 5, 2023

Court Administration

A record: Cook County Chief Judge Evans wins unprecedented seventh term

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans won a historic seventh term overseeing the county’s courts. He was facing a challenger who sought to harness the unhappiness of Cook County judges of the criticisms that led to the unseating last year of the first sitting judge since 1990.

by John Seasly September 12, 2019December 5, 2023

Court Administration

Amidst unrest over judicial criticism, Cook County judges consider unseating chief

Cook County circuit judges will decide on Thursday whether to give Timothy C. Evans, the longest-tenured chief judge in county history, another term. Circuit judge Lorna Propes is seeking to unseat him by appealing, in large part, to judges’ unhappiness with the negative attention some who were running for retention last year received.

by John Seasly September 10, 2019December 5, 2023

Former U.S. attorney Dan Webb named special prosecutor in Jussie Smollett case

The case of former Empire star Jussie Smollett case now in hands of former U.S. Attorney Daniel K. Webb. As special prosecutor, Webb will both review the controversial decision to drop charges, as well as whether charges could be re-instituted.

by John Seasly August 23, 2019December 5, 2023

Judicial Elections

How to become a Cook County judge: One key step, woo Dem party

After a grueling process, and a willingness to commit $40,000 to the Cook County Democratic Party, a series of judicial hopefuls learned Friday if they passed muster. The hopes and dreams of judicial hopefuls often rests on winning the party’s support.

by John Seasly August 16, 2019December 5, 2023

Associate Judges

Cook County judge, criticized for ‘insensitive, improper’ racial comments, is dumped from bench

Remaining 137 associate judges get new, 4-year terms in secret vote by circuit judges.

by John Seasly June 5, 2019February 1, 2024

Judges

Lawyer appointed as Cook County judge despite losing election, past judicial scoldings

Michael Gerber lost his seat as a Cook County circuit court judge last year, defeated in a primary race. But Gerber, whom courts have twice chastised for improper conduct that led to wrongful convictions, is rejoining the bench this week, after the state Supreme Court appointed him to fill a vacancy.

by John Seasly June 3, 2019December 5, 2023

In defense of how judges are chosen — and how they rule — in Illinois

The voting is by secret ballot, and judges cast their ballots in a process that is independently administered by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts — an arm of the Illinois Supreme Court.

by John Seasly May 31, 2019December 5, 2023

Judicial Conduct

Illinois appeals court upholds conviction, rejects alleged errors by trial judge

An Illinois Appellate Court panel upheld last week the conviction of Oscar Flores on murder and attempted murder charges, brushing aside contentions by Flores’ attorney that his retrial was again marred by rulings of Cook County Circuit Judge Maura Slattery Boyle.

by John Seasly March 31, 2019December 5, 2023

Get our weekly newsletter