DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Attorney General's Office has entered the courtroom in the Illinois Innocence Project's effort to overturn the Slover family's murder convictions.
In early June, the Illinois Innocence Project (IIP) 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(s) of Karyn Hearn Slover.
The IIP said newly discovered DNA evidence could exonerate Michael Slover Sr., Jeanette Slover, and Michael Slover Jr.
In the filing, IIP wrote that forensic testing revealed three profiles on critical evidence in the case. That included two profiles on duct tape used to seal bags containing Karyn’s remains, and a profile found on fingerprints next to a stain of Karyn’s blood on the Lake Shelbyville bridge.
Michael Sr. and Jeanette died while serving their prison sentences with the Illinois Department of Corrections. IIP is now seeking a retrial in the 1996 murder case involving Michael Jr.'s ex-wife, Karyn.
Although IIP has asked the court to order ISP to submit the DNA samples, ISP has declined to do so for several years. The Illinois Attorney General's Office has stepped in to represent ISP in the matter.
During Thursday's hearing, Macon County Judge Rodney Forbes told the attorney representing ISP that the office has 60 days to file a response to IIP's motion.
Former Macon County State's Attorney Jay Scott, who came out of retirement to argue the case for the prosecution, has filed a motion to dismiss the case entirely. He has maintained that the Slover family is responsible for the 1996 death of Karyn.
The Attorney General's Office has 60 days to file its response. The case is scheduled to resume in September.
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