Robert Johnson freed after 29 years wrongfully convicted of murder

In the United States, specifically Chicago, Robert Johnson was released from prison on February 21, 2025, after spending nearly 29 years incarcerated for a murder he maintains he did not commit. His conviction, stemming from an arrest following a crime on April 14, 1996, was vacated by a judge who recognized the lack of credible evidence against him, which was primarily based on the testimony of a recanting teenager. Johnson’s case drew attention due to its ties to former police Cmdr. Jon Burge, known for his controversial tactics and abusive methods that had plagued many investigations during that era. During his time in prison, Johnson consistently asserted his innocence, and his release is a culmination of years of legal efforts from his attorney, Megan Richardson, and the Exoneration Project. Johnson expressed the significance of regaining his freedom, indicating that his mind is racing with the possibilities of what he can do now that he is outside the prison walls. His first act of freedom involved a dinner visit to Dave & Busters where he could reconnect with his family, including a heartfelt reunion with his 92-year-old grandmother, a significant moment after nearly three decades of separation. The initial lack of real evidence in his case raises concerns about the integrity of the justice system, as many, including his lawyer, question how he was ever convicted in the first place. Meanwhile, in Hawaii, another man named Gordon Cordeiro was also released around the same time due to recognition of new evidence in his own wrongful murder conviction, indicating a broader movement towards addressing miscarriage of justice cases across the United States.