DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) – The battle over evidence continues in the reopened Karyn Hearn Slover murder case.
The Exoneration Project is working alongside the Illinois Innocence Project (IIP) in an effort to exonerate members of the Slover family, who were convicted in 2002 of killing Hearn Slover in 1996. Michael Slover, Jeanette Slover and Michael Slover Jr. were all found guilty of murder.
In early June, the Illinois Innocence Project filed a motion asking the Illinois State Police (ISP) to submit DNA profiles into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) in hopes of identifying the true killer or killers of Karyn Hearn Slover.
According to IIP's filing, forensic testing revealed three separate DNA profiles on key pieces of evidence. Two profiles were found on duct tape used to seal bags containing Karyn’s remains, and another profile was discovered on fingerprints located next to a stain of Karyn’s blood on the Lake Shelbyville bridge.
Although IIP has repeatedly asked the court to order ISP to submit the DNA samples, ISP has declined to do so for several years.
In response, Assistant Attorney General Matthew Banach filed a motion on behalf of ISP, outlining reasons why the DNA should not be uploaded to CODIS. During Thursday’s hearing, IIP representatives asked the court for time to respond to ISP’s most recent arguments.
Macon County Judge Rodney Forbes granted IIP one month to file its written response. However, attorneys are not expected to return to the courtroom until the end of October.
Former Macon County State’s Attorney Jay Scott, who returned from retirement to represent the prosecution, has also filed a motion seeking to dismiss the case entirely. Scott has consistently maintained that the Slover family is responsible for Karyn’s 1996 death.
Michael Slover Sr. and Jeanette Slover both died while serving their prison sentences with the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
