Judge vacates conviction of man who professed innocence for nearly 30 years

CHICAGO (WGN) — A man who has spent nearly 30 years in prison for a crime he says he didn’t commit walked out of the Cook County Jail on Thursday evening after a judge vacated the conviction.

“I didn’t think this day was going to happen. They had me in that cage for 28 year and 10 months of my life for something that had nothing to do with,” Robert Johnson said to reporters gathered outside the facility.

Johnson called his imprisonment “Hell on earth that I’ve been dealing with since I was 16 years old.”

Johnson was a teen when he was arrested in connection with the 1996 killing of Eddie Binion and later convicted of first-degree murder, armed robbery and home invasion.

“It’s going to be exhilarating to actually be able to see him and touch him in real time,” said Johnson’s aunt, Cynthia Booker, prior to his release. “This is something we haven’t been able to do except on periodic visits.”

Johnson’s defense said that during his trial years ago, there was no physical evidence or eyewitnesses connecting him to the crime. Additionally, a juvenile co-defendant has recanted his testimony, sharing that police who worked under disgraced Chicago police commander Jon Burge forced him to falsely accuse Johnson, lawyers said.

“That witness was the subject of our evidentiary hearing, and he fully recanted his testimony,” said defense attorney Megan Richardson. “Mr. Johnson was not there. He had no involvement whatsoever with this crime. We know he is an innocent man.”

The defense team said several witnesses testified that the actual perpetrator, who has since passed away, confessed to them.

While in prison, the now 45-year-old Johnson earned his GED and an associate’s degree. In spite of all he’s endured, his family believes he has a bright future ahead of him.

Johnson is scheduled to return to court on March 13 when prosecutors will decide whether or not to appeal the court’s ruling.

This report will be updated.