Illinois Man Serving Life Term In 1957 Murder Ordered Freed
Jack McCullough enjoys his first moments of freedom in nearly five years with stepdaughter Janey O'Connor, left, and Crystal Harrolle, an investigator who helped find information he used to pursue his release. Casey Porter
A 76-year-old Washington state man has been released from prison in Illinois after a prosecutor persuaded a judge that the man was wrongly convicted in 2012 of killing a schoolgirl six decades earlier. Judge William Brady vacated the conviction of Jack McCullough Friday morning and ordered him to be freed.
Jack McCullough entered the courtroom Friday morning with a small wave to his supporters -- among them, his stepdaughter Janey O’Connor.
“Given what has happened in the last five years, I came with a complete expectation that he would not get out," she said. "This experience has been eye-opening. It seems like common sense was long ago left by the wayside.”
She has maintained his innocence since 2012 when McCullough was put behind bars for the death of seven-year-old Maria Ridulph in Sycamore, Illinois—about 60 miles west of Chicago.
What made this case unique is that the death occurred a long time ago, in 1957.
The 2012 bench trial involved testimony from Maria’s childhood friend, one of the last people to see Maria before she went missing. Also testimony from an inmate who says he overheard McCullough admit to the crime to a fellow prisoner.
What wasn’t included in that 2012 trial were phone records showing a call McCullough made in Rockford at the time of the Sycamore girl’s disappearance among other items of evidence. Judge William Brady said that, individually, these factors may not have changed the outcome of that original trial, but collectively they could.
Judge Brady told the courtroom that state's attorneys are at the hub of justice and have the responsibility to revisit cases when they think the person is innocent.
Brady told the court, his role in all of this is not to re-try the case:
“You will not hear the words 'Mr. McCullough is guilty.’ Or you will not hear the words 'Mr. McCullough is not guilty’ come from my mouth.”
But he did grant the request for McCullough to be released pending a new trial. He must stay within state borders.
The developments stem from a recently released six-month investigation by DeKalb County State’s Attorney Richard Schmack, who was not in office during McCullough’s conviction. Schmack said he had expected to find some reliable evidence that the right man had been convicted, but wrote, "No such evidence could be discovered.”
McCullough’s stepdaughter Janey O’Connor characterized Schmack’s actions as “brave.”
“This case is about the epidemic that is facing our county. An epidemic of immoral and criminal behavior perpetrated by the very people we put into positions of power and authority. Laws are not just for the poor; they are for everyone.”
But for a family and community who believe the right person was behind bars, today’s ruling opened up an old wound … and more questions about the legal system. Maria Ridulph’s sister Patricia Quinn.
“What is there to say?" she said. "This guy is guilty! We know he is guilty. To let him out on his own recognizance? Does that make sense? Does that make sense for a convicted murderer?"
The case has been continued until April 22. The State’s Attorney says he is currently reviewing the impact of the Judge’s ruling.
Maria Ridulph’s brother Charles is petitioning the court to appoint a special prosecutor to the case.