Chicago man exonerated after 35 years in prison

By Sophia Tareen Associated Press

Posted December 13, 2023 11:48 AM

Updated December 13, 2023 3:40 PM

A Chicago man who spent 35 years behind bars for a murder he didn’t commit was freed Tuesday after a judge vacated his conviction and dismissed all charges.Brian Beals, 57, struggled to find the right words to describe his feelings as he stood outside Robinson Correctional Center in Crawford County, some 210 miles south of Chicago, and embraced his sister and niece.“Relief, happiness, it was just amazing to walk out of there,” he told The Associated Press in a phone interview. “I’m ready to …

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