For your right to be curious.

Donate

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

Join the NPR Illinois team!

Community Voices is seeking a co-host/editor to join Jeff Williams and Randy Eccles in getting to know our neighbors and more. Apply by May 25, 5 p.m.

The news department is seeking part-time fill-in anchor/reporters who are available either weekdays from 5:30 to 9 a.m. and/or 3:30 to 6 p.m. Apply by June 5, 5 p.m.

Illinois Innocence Lawyer Taking On 'Junk Science'

NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS | By Brian Mackey

Published May 13, 2016 at 4:38 PM CDT

This year, the Illinois Innocence Project is making its 15th anniversary. In January, the program helped win freedom for Teshome Campbell. He had been convicted of murdering James Shepherd in Champaign back in 1997, and spent more than 18 years in prison.

Brian Mackey talks to the Illinois Innocence Project's executive and legal director, John Hanlon, about changes to the program, choosing cases, and what he calls "junk science” in the courtroom.