By WMBD TV
NORMAL – Next month, judges from a Springfield-based appellate court will listen to oral arguments, not in their usual courtroom, but on the Illinois State University campus.
Appellate courts have gone on the road before to hear cases, so while it’s not common, it’s not unheard of. The judges from the 4th District Appellate Court will head to ISU on March 25 to hear oral arguments at the Bone Student Center.
Both criminal cases, one involving Barton McNeil and one involving James Snow, will each get one hour that morning. A decision from the judges will likely come weeks to months later.
This event is co-hosted by the Department of Politics & Government and the McLean County Bar Association.
The cases involve instances where both men are claiming they are innocent of the crimes they were convicted of.
McNeil’s case
McNeil was convicted and sentenced to decades behind bars in 1998 for killing his 3-year-old daughter. Last year, a McLean County judge denied his latest attempt for a new trial on the charges for the killing that happened nearly three decades ago.
The reason? The evidence that McNeil wanted to use at a new trial likely wouldn’t be legally allowed and beyond that, it wasn’t likely to tip the scales at a new trial. McNeil claims his former girlfriend is the actual killer.
McNeil’s attorneys claim the evidence they wanted to present, an alleged confession from the ex-girlfriend, would have greatly tipped the scales.
Snow’s case
Snow is appealing the denial of his request for DNA testing and fingerprint analysis. He was convicted in 2001 of killing a gas station employee in 1991. Snow is seeking new evidence to establish his innocence. Prosecutors say none of the requested testing would significantly advance Snow’s claim of actual innocence.
Doors open at 9 a.m. No one will be admitted to the first argument after 9:55 a.m. Doors open for the second case at 10:45 a.m. All spectators must go through metal detectors. Backpacks and large purses will not be permitted. Cell phones must be turned off.
