Then, when the results came in, they let Jones sit in jail for a year and a half while searching for a new theory or new evidence on which they might reconvict him. They finally conceded at a hearing Monday. Powerful evidence to the contrary surfaced in 1985, and Cruz and Hernandez were freed in 1995, but defense attorneys allied with the DuPage County state's attorney's office are trying to prove Cruz's guilt in order to win acquittals for the former prosecutor and four sheriff's officials still on trial, charged with conspiring to frame Cruz. Under normal circumstances, the defense in the DuPage 5 trial would likely rest its case Tuesday without calling any witnesses. But these are not normal circumstances.
Egos are on the line.
The goal is vindication. And even though calling witnesses to attempt to impugn Cruz risks opening up new avenues for the prosecution and creating ah-ha moments, the defense seems poised to plunge ahead. Only Jack Zimmerman, the second-fastest local newspaper columnist in last October's Chicago Marathon, will be spared the ax. The distinctive regular voices and guest commentaries from newsmakers gave the Press real character in an era of increasingly bland, cautious community publications. It may not be reproduced without Tribune permission.