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- Sep 30, 2011
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Half a century after the mysterious abduction and killing of a 7-year-old Illinois girl, authorities found a suspect — a former neighbor of the child — secured his conviction and put an end to a small town’s agony.
Jack McCullough, by that time a 73-year-old retired policeman, was sentenced to life in prison in 2012.
But according to the findings of a new public prosecutor, the case should stand as a warning on the perils of re-opening a decades-old investigation. A six-month review by DeKalb County State’s Attorney Richard Schmack found a parade of alleged missteps by investigators, former prosecutors, judges and witnesses trying to pull details out of the fog of years. And he uncovered evidence supporting McCullough’s long-held alibi: that he was attempting to enlist with the U.S. Air Force at a military recruiting station in another city on the night Maria Ridulph disappeared in 1957. McCullough is the wrong man, Schmack contends.
McCullough’s attorneys will be back in court Friday in Sycamore, Illinois, to again ask a judge to vacate the conviction or order a new trial that could set him free. Members of Ridulph’s family remain convinced McCullough is guilty and are seeking appointment of a special prosecutor in an attempt to keep him behind bars.
Review: 1957 cold case conviction riddled with missteps
This is an interesting look at an old case.
Jack McCullough, by that time a 73-year-old retired policeman, was sentenced to life in prison in 2012.
But according to the findings of a new public prosecutor, the case should stand as a warning on the perils of re-opening a decades-old investigation. A six-month review by DeKalb County State’s Attorney Richard Schmack found a parade of alleged missteps by investigators, former prosecutors, judges and witnesses trying to pull details out of the fog of years. And he uncovered evidence supporting McCullough’s long-held alibi: that he was attempting to enlist with the U.S. Air Force at a military recruiting station in another city on the night Maria Ridulph disappeared in 1957. McCullough is the wrong man, Schmack contends.
McCullough’s attorneys will be back in court Friday in Sycamore, Illinois, to again ask a judge to vacate the conviction or order a new trial that could set him free. Members of Ridulph’s family remain convinced McCullough is guilty and are seeking appointment of a special prosecutor in an attempt to keep him behind bars.
Review: 1957 cold case conviction riddled with missteps
This is an interesting look at an old case.
