Judges overturned seven murder convictions Tuesday that had been tainted by allegations of misconduct by former Chicago police Detective Reynaldo Guevara.
The Cook County State’s Attorney Office had filed motions for the seven cases and an eighth to be heard at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse. In an unprecedented move, State’s Attorney Kim Foxx announced at a news conference Tuesday morning that prosecutors “can no longer stand by these convictions,” leading to the mass dismissal.
Advertisement
“Rebuilding the community trust in our justice system requires that when we find an injustice, we work diligently to correct it,” Foxx said. “Today marks another step in that process at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.”
Exonerees, family members and supporters spoke with the media after the court hearings. Marilyn Mulero also spoke as the first woman to have a conviction overturned due to allegations of misconduct by Guevara.
Advertisement
“I had to be a strong individual because I had two toddlers when I was incarcerated. I had to fight for them. I had to be strong for them,” Mulero said, her voice breaking.
She served 28 years in prison after a 1992 arrest — including 5 years on death row.
“There’s other women out there that are incarcerated, that are innocent, that I will keep fighting for, just like our other Guevara victims that are in there,” she added.
Tuesday’s development means 31 convictions have been overturned since 2016 in connection to Guevara’s alleged misconduct, allegations that range from manipulating witnesses to fabricating evidence.
Afternoon Briefing
Daily
Chicago Tribune editors’ top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon.
Most recently in July, a judge threw out the convictions of two brothers in the 1997 murder of Jorge Gonzalez. The brothers, Rosendo and Juan Hernandez, were sentenced to 75 and 86 years in prison, respectively, according to a court filing. Guevara allegedly altered their alibis after interviewing the brothers.
The other men who were exonerated Tuesday included Carlos Andino, who had been serving a 60-year sentence ; Alfredo Gonzalez, who had been serving a life sentence after his arrest in 1990; Johnny Flores, who served 20 years; Nelson Gonzalez, who served 22 years; and Jaime Rios, who served 18 years. David Colon’s conviction was vacated last month after having served 26 years in prison.
The conviction of an eighth Guevara accuser, Louis Robinson, was not thrown out Tuesday. Robinson is still serving a 60-year sentence after his arrest in 1996.
“Louis Robinson, you know we will continue to fight for you,” Mulero said. “Today was the day that wasn’t your day, but your day is going to come. It is coming.”
Advertisement
Looking ahead, State’s Attorney Foxx said three other cases will be reviewed in the coming weeks.
“We expect to resolve additional cases with similar court action in the upcoming weeks,” Foxx said at the news conference. “We also anticipate that more individuals may come forward, and we will review their cases as they come.”
