Illinois Innocence Project gets grant to help Latinos

Posted on November 8, 2015
Illnois Innocence Project
                        (Logo courtesy Facebook/Illinois Innocence Project)

By Will Stevenson/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – The University of Illinois-Springfield is getting $754,000 for its “Illinois Innocence Project.”

UIS Chancellor Susan Koch said the university has helped many who were unfairly jailed, but that’s not the only positive.

“Many, many UIS students work in the project every year, and gain invaluable experience that serves them well as they move on in to their professions,” said Koch.

Project Executive Director John Hanlon said the $754,000 will help do something proven successful a couple of times this year.

“The project walked two innocent individuals out of prison due to the contribution of DNA testing – favorable DNA testing – results, exonerating results,” said Hanlon.  “Chris Abernethy and Angel Gonzalez spent a total of over 50 years in prison for crimes that they did not commit.”

Hanlon said the investigation time and DNA testing can be geared especially toward Latinos, whom he says are more likely to not have the resources to properly defend themselves.

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