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New Trial Denied For Herbert Whitlock

By TChris, Section Innocence Cases
Posted on Sat Jun 25, 2005 at 10:28:22 AM EST
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by TChris

As TalkLeft reported here, a federal judge ordered a new trial for Randy Steidl after concluding that his lawyer's poor representation, combined with new evidence, compelled the conclusion that Steidl was probably innocent of the double murder with which he was charged. Steidl was freed after Illinois decided not to bring him to trial again.

Steidl's co-defendant hasn't been so fortunate.

Herbert Whitlock’s hopes for a second chance were crushed Thursday afternoon when the much anticipated decision by Edgar County Circuit Judge H. Dean Andrews denied the 59-year-old a new trial.

The validity of Whitlock's conviction is called into question by the same unreliable testimony and prosecutorial misconduct that eventually led to Steidl's freedom. Whitlock's lawyers say that "as in Mr. Steidl’s case, it is going to take the federal courts to make the right decision to let an innocent man out of jail."

Former Illinois State Police Lt. Michale Callahan, who believes both Steidl and Whitlock are innocent, is disappointed with the state court's decision.

“I am especially disappointed in the Appellate Prosecutors office,” said Callahan. “I have had conversations with special prosecutors who have voiced that they also believe that Steidl and Whitlock are innocent of the murders, but may be in possession of material information. There is a lot of hypocrisy in that office.”

Callahan reinvestigated the double murder that led to the convictions, but he contends his efforts to find the truth were thwarted by supervisors who deemed the case “too politically sensitive.”

Callahan was awarded more than $650,000 following a lawsuit against three of his superior officers for violating his civil and First Amendment rights.

In the meantime, Steidl has filed suit for malicious prosecution, seeking $36 million for the 18 years he spent behind bars.

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    • New Trial Denied For Herbert Whitlock | 1 comment (1 topical)
    Re: New Trial Denied For Herbert Whitlock (none / 0) (#1)
    by DawesFred60 on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:32 PM EST
    Not another one! what is happening is the cops don't really do any kind of real investigation, its all about just arresting some guy and nothing but that. its looking each day that our non justice system is becoming a islamic system of totally evil ideals, you got to start to ask why and why bush loves that islamic non justice system that he helped to make.

    New Trial Denied For Herbert Whitlock | 1 comment (1 topical)