Judge refuses to free 3 in DNA murder case

Judge refuses to free 3 in DNA murder case


A Cook County judge today refused to vacate the convictions of 3 men imprisoned 20 years for the rape and murder of a suburban girl.
( The 3 men were all juveniles at the time of the crime)

Markham District Judge Michele Simmons said she would give prosecutors additional time to complete their investigation of a convicted rapist whose DNA was found on the girl, 14-year-old Cateresa Matthews.

Prosecutors this week said they had reopened their investigation into Matthews’ slaying after defense attorneys said DNA testing done last month linked the convicted rapist to the crime.

Five teenagers were convicted in the slaying and rape, and three of them are still serving long prison sentences. DNA does not connect any of the five to the rape and murder, according to their lawyers.

The convicted rapist linked to the case by DNA was taken into custody this week on unrelated drug charges, but he has not been charged in connection with Matthews' murder and rape, according to sources.

Prosecutors said they are not yet prepared to throw out the convictions of the five men, who were teens when they were charged with Matthews' rape and murder.

In a recent interview, Robert Taylor, one of the three men still in prison for Matthews' murder and rape, said he was cautiously optimistic that he would be cleared of wrongdoing and released from state prison. James Harden and Jonathan Barr also hope to be freed.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chibrknews-judge-keeps-3-in-prison-in-1991-murder-case-20110415,0,2306404.story>>

Robert Taylor, Jonathan Barr, and James Harden Awaiting Justice
DNA evidence has proven that CWCY client Robert Taylor, and four other teenagers, are entirely innocent of a 1991 rape-murder. Taylor, and two other co-defendants, await a circuit court judge's ruling on their motion to vacate their convictions and release. The CWCY was shocked to learn that the Cook County State's Attorney's office is objecting to their motion despite the extraordinary DNA evidence. All five defendants were teenagers, aged 15-17, when charged.