Righting a Wrongful Conviction: Sign Up Now For Free Dec. 4 Program
Jacques Rivera was released after serving 21 years of incarceration for a murder he did not commit in Cook County.
Juan Rivera was released after serving 20 years of incarceration for a murder he did not commit in Lake County.
Kristine Bunch was released after serving 17 years of incarceration for a murder she did not commit in Decatur County, IN.
Mario Casciaro was released after conviction for a murder he did not commit in McHenry County.
These aren’t fictional accounts from some television drama or Hollywood motion picture — they are real, live and nearby examples of wrongful convictions that have been overturned in courts. Now, thanks to the sponsorship of Foote, Mielke, Chavez and O’Neil, LLC and Konicek & Dillon, PC, the Office of Kane County Public Defender Kelli Childress is able to bring these exonerees together with legal experts to present a fascinating, free program that offers an inside look at these four journeys to justice.
The event takes place from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, at Eagle Brook Country Club, 2288 Fargo Boulevard, Geneva, but space is limited. Organizers ask that attendess RSVP by Nov. 20 to Vanessa Rogalla at 630-208-3840 or by email RogallaVanessa@co.kane.il.us
“We are very excited and honored to bring four exonerees together to share their unique perspectives on wrongful convictions in this free Community Legal Education event on Dec. 4, 2015,” Childress said. “Please join us.”
Attorneys Kathleen Zellner, Jeff Urdangen, Judy Royal and Lake County Public Defender Investigator David Asma will also be speaking about their roles in the subject cases.
For more information, visit the Kane County Public Defender’s website and Facebook page.
About the Kane County Public Defender’s Office
The Office of the Public Defender has existed in Kane County since the 1960s, with the position of the Public Defender becoming full-time in the early 1970s. The mission of the Kane County Public Defender’s Office is to provide quality legal representation to indigent persons charged with criminal offenses or whose rights as parents are in jeopardy. The office represents persons charged with traffic offenses, misdemeanors, felonies, abuse and/or neglect of children cases, and juveniles accused of crimes.
