Man wrongfully convicted in 1957 cold case killing ruled innocent

[groundloop]

Source: CBS News

SYCAMORE, Ill. -- An Illinois judge on Wednesday granted a certificate of innocence to a Washington state man who was wrongfully convicted in 2012 of the 1957 kidnapping and killing of a 7-year-old girl, clearing the way for him to sue Illinois.

Jack McCullough said at a hearing last week that he’s been portrayed as a monster and that people still think of him as one, and that he wants justice.

DeKalb County Associate Judge William Brady granted McCullough a certificate of innocence, which would allow him to sue Illinois for damages for wrongly convicting him in Maria Ridulph’s killing.

“Is it more likely that the defendant would be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, or is it more likely he would be found not guilty, and not responsible for Maria Ridulph’s disappearance and murder?” Brady said in explaining his decision. “Based on the changes in the law, and the consideration of the additional evidence now available to this court, the latter of these questions is true.”

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/man-wrongfully-convicted-in-1957-cold-case-killing-ruled-innocent/

[rock]

1. Did the certificate actually mention innocence?

Our system of law usually does not mention innocence as one does not have to prove that (cough cough).

[csziggy]

2. Part of the proceedings does say he is innocent

Finally, what was present in this case that obviously was not present at the original trial were statements and pleadings from the then chief law enforcement official in the county of DeKalb that the defendant was, in fact, innocent.

Pages 6-7
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2017/images/04/12/mccullough041217-signed.pdf

Earlier in the proceeding a statute is referred to - that statute is recent and its "intent by the General Assembly is to compensate those who are wrongly convicted and incarcerated." See pages 2 and 3 of the document above.

[rock]

3. Fascinating

Thanks!