Firm News

Thaddeus Jimenez Released from Prison 16 Years After Being Wrongfully Convicted of Murder

May 4, 2009

Thaddeus “T.J.” Jimenez, who was arrested in 1993 at age 13 and later wrongfully convicted for a murder he did not commit, was released from the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1, after 16 years, 2 months, and 27 days of wrongful confinement.  Jimenez, who is now 30 years old, is believed to be the youngest person in Illinois history convicted of a crime he did not commit, who was later fully exonerated.  He may, in fact, be the youngest person in United States history to be wrongfully convicted of a crime and then later fully exonerated. 

To view the full press release, please click "Download PDF" above.

UPDATE

• Certificate of Innocence (June 3, 2009)
• Petition for Certificate of Innocence (May 27, 2009)
• Grand Jury Indictment of Juan Carlos Torres (May 19, 2009)

• Illinois Appellate Court Order Affirming Conviction (Jan. 18, 2000)
• Petition for Post-Conviction Release
• Petition for Relief from Judgment (May 1, 2009) 
• Order Vacating Conviction and Order Granting Immediate Release (May 1, 2009)
• Appellate Brief
• Chronology of Thaddeus Jimenez’s Exoneration
• Images: The Exoneration of Thaddeus Jimenez
• Video: The Exoneration of Thaddeus Jimenez

• "Arrested at 13, inmate freed," Chicago Sun Times, May 4, 2009
• "Illinois Man Imprisoned At 13 Freed After 16 Years," wcbstv.com, May 4, 2009
• "Man exonerated after 16 years behind bars," abclocal.go.com, May 4, 2009
• "The Exoneration of Thaddeus Jimenez," Above the Fold, May 4, 2009