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Chicago City Wire

Saturday, January 18, 2025

W.J. Kennedy News

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Controversial head of State's Attorney's post-conviction unit leaving after just six months on the job

By W.J. Kennedy | Jun 20, 2024

Michelle Mbekeani, the controversial head of Kim Foxx’s Conviction Review Unit (CRU) in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO), is leaving the position after just six months, multiple sources have told Chicago City Wire.

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National watchdog group sues Kim Foxx over failure to comply with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) investigating exonerations

By W.J. Kennedy | Jun 14, 2024

A conservative government watchdog group sued the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO), led by Kim Foxx,

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Legislation undermines the core of criminal justice system, judgement of the 'common man'

By W.J. Kennedy | Jun 12, 2024

Ensuring a suspect is aware of his Miranda rights before questioning could still lead to a confession being thrown out

Plaintiffs in wrongful conviction claim a 5’0” woman stabbed a husband and wife over 50 times

By W.J. Kennedy | Jun 6, 2024

Defense attorneys in one of dozens of controversial wrongful conviction cases delivered a point-by-point takedown of the claims made by the two convicted of the1998 stabbing deaths in Bucktown of a husband and wife, and the abduction of their children.

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Deal offered to avoid summary judgement in Solache/DeLeon Reyes wrongful conviction cases

By W.J. Kennedy | May 30, 2024

Attorneys for two convicted of a 1998 double murder in Bucktown have offered defendants in their wrongful conviction cases a deal to avoid summary judgement and send the case straight to trial.

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Do judges have to fear for their jobs if they rule against money interests?

By W.J. Kennedy | May 30, 2024

In November 2018 Cook County Judge Matthew Coghlan lost his bid for retention,

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Chicago City Council takes control of ShotSpotter after lengthy debate where supporters praised it as lifesaving tool

By W.J. Kennedy | May 24, 2024

After hours of debate that included wrangling over parliamentary procedures, Chicago City Council approved an order Wednesday with a veto-proof 34-14

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Former prosecutor: Kim Foxx's proposed traffic prosecution policy is 'all about the optics'

By W.J. Kennedy | May 23, 2024

Kim Foxx’s proposed policy not to prosecute more serious crimes discovered during minor traffic stops is more show than substance, according to a former prosecutor.

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Permanent fundings sought for community-based public safety act; supporters insist it’s working

By W.J. Kennedy | May 17, 2024

Edward McBride was recently in Springfield lobbying for permanent funding in the 2025 budget for the Reimagine Public Safety Act

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Media pounds Supt. Snelling over alleged CPD, Oath Keepers connection

By W.J. Kennedy | May 17, 2024

The Chicago media relentless campaign to press Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling

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Federal judge: Number of briefs filed in wrongful conviction cases rival 'number of windows on the Dirksen Federal Building'

By W.J. Kennedy | May 17, 2024

A federal judge presiding over the wrongful conviction cases of two convicted of a 1998 double murder has ordered both parties in the cases “to put their pencils down” to stop the number of briefs filed from climbing any higher.

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Once convicted murderer Jose Cruz can destroy documents defendants have requested in wrongful conviction defense

By W.J. Kennedy | May 16, 2024

A federal judge is allowing Jose Cruz, convicted of a 1993 murder in Chicago, to withhold communications -

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Another Foxx double murder exoneree files lawsuit in stark contrast to defendants' accounts, 1994 Supreme Court opinion affirming conviction

By W.J. Kennedy | May 11, 2024

The defendants named in convicted murderer Marilyn Mulero’s wrongful conviction lawsuit have a whole different take on the events that unfolded the night of May 12, 1992, when Latin Kings gang members Jimmy Cruz and Hector Reyes were shot to death in Humboldt Park.

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Did State's Attorney Foxx violate Supreme Court rules by discussing murder case with inmate?

By W.J. Kennedy | May 10, 2024

A video posted on Cook County State’s Attorney’s website celebrates exonerations.

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Crime up, arrests down at city schools

By W.J. Kennedy | May 8, 2024

Violent crime is up 26 percent at Chicago Schools (CPS) over last year.

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Harvey Weinstein and convicted Chicago rapist both benefited from same controversial legal doctrine

By W.J. Kennedy | May 3, 2024

Harvey Weinstein, Hollywood producer and convicted rapist, and Stanley Wrice, Chicago resident and convicted rapist

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Chicago Police being set up for even more legal exposure: former FOP official

By W.J. Kennedy | May 3, 2024

Policies that require Chicago police officers to report misconduct among their ranks will only serve to lead to even more lawsuits against cops,

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Vallas: Lawyers, radical left driving 'Criminal Industrial Complex'

By W.J. Kennedy | Apr 26, 2024

Special interests have twisted the criminal justice reform movement into a lucrative enterprise.

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Police union appeal of arbitration decision could “leave cops in limbo”

By W.J. Kennedy | Apr 26, 2024

The Chicago police union’s appeal of a court ruling that permitted police arbitration in more serious disciplinary cases

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Northwestern University upholds provocative reputation with acceptance of convicted killer to Pritzker School of Law, press delights

By W.J. Kennedy | Apr 25, 2024

mber 2023, Benard McKinley completed his nearly 23-year sentence for murder, and this fall will begin law studies at Northwestern University— accepted after completing an in-prison undergraduate program.