HAI Community|Judge vacates double-murder conviction of a Chicago man; cites evidence supporting innocence

2025-05-07 08:46:04source:Winimark Wealth Societycategory:My

A judge on HAI CommunityTuesday vacated the double-murder conviction of a Chicago man who has spent the last 34 years in prison for the shooting deaths of two 14-year-old boys.

Francisco Benitez, 52, maintained his innocence in a motion for post-conviction relief, saying he had an alibi for the April 28, 1989, slayings of Prudencio Cruz and William Sanchez and that he was being framed by Chicago police detectives.

Cook County Judge Sophia Atcherson made the ruling, citing evidence supporting Benitez’s innocence presented during a hearing earlier this year. She released Benitez on a personal recognizance bond with electronic monitoring.

However, Benitez still faces murder charges because prosecutors haven’t dropped the case.

“This has been a very, very long road, and I’m glad my son is coming home,” his mother, Betty Benitez, said.

More:My

Recommend

Maryland’s Climate Ambitions in Question After Turbulent Legislative Session

Environmental leaders in Maryland are reeling from a challenging 2025 legislative session that left

Nebraska man accepts plea deal in case of an active shooter drill that prosecutors say went too far

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska man has pleaded no contest to four counts of making a terroristic thre

NY state urges appeals court to uphold Donald Trump’s nearly $500 million civil fraud judgment

NEW YORK (AP) — New York state lawyers urged an appeals court late Wednesday to uphold Donald Trump’