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Death Row Justice Derailed: The Failure of the Death Penalty in Illinois

Number 16166
Subject Death Penalty
Source Chicago Tribune
State Illinois
Year 1999
Publication Date Nov. 14-18, 1999
Summary A Chicago Tribune investigation of all 285 death penalty cases in Illinois since capital punishment was reinstated revealed "a system so riddled with faulty evidence, unscrupulous trial tactics and legal incompetence that justice has been forsaken." Among the investigation's findings: "at least 33 times, a defendant sentenced to die was represented by an attorney who had been disbarred or suspended" and "at least 35 times, a defendant sentenced to die was black and the jury that determined guilt or sentencing was all white."
Category Contest Entry
Pages 64
Keywords courts;death row;Illinois;misconduct capital punishment racism criminal justice system DNA evidence bias unprofessional incompetence jailhouse informants police torture forced confessions appeals
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