CHICAGO (AP) — Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez says “an exhaustive review” of the evidence led to her office’s decision not to retry four men previously convicted in a 1994 Chicago murder.
The men — known as “the Englewood Four” — learned the news at a brief, emotional hearing Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court. Their convictions already had been overturned by a judge in November. Judge Paul Biebel said DNA testing linking the slaying to a convicted murderer means the four would likely be acquitted.
Alvarez issued a written statement after the hearing. She says there wasn’t enough evidence to enable prosecutors to meet the burden of proof
Alvarez’ says DNA testing completed recently, contributed to the decision to drop charges against Michael Saunders, Harold Richardson, Terrill Swift and Vincent Thames.
Share this article
