Brother of victim claims Illinois state’s attorney has conflict of interest in murder case, requests special prosecutor.
Charles Ridulph, whose sister Maria was murdered in 1957, has requested a special prosecutor for the trial of Jack McCullough. Ridulph claims State’s Attorney Richard Schmack made a promise during his 2012 campaign to drop charges against McCoullough, constituting a
conflict of interest in the murder case.
McCullough was arrested in 2012 for the alleged kidnapping and murder of 7-year-old Maria Ridulph, in what was the nation’s coldest case. However, Schmack presented evidence in April showing that McCullough was making a collect call in 40 miles away Rockford at the time of the kidnapping. As a result, the charges against McCullough were dropped.
Schmack says his office is preparing a response to the accusation, and the case for a special prosecutor is due back in court June 23. McCullough has returned to his home in the Seattle, Wash., area and technically is no longer involved in the case. However, his murder charges were dropped “without prejudice,” meaning the case potentially could be retried.
Originally posted on NorthernPublicRadio.org.
Conflict of Interest in Murder Case Representation – Ball & Evans & Ball & Evans Trial Attorney – Los Angeles
