Illinois Judge to Consider Dismissal of 1957 Murder Case

SYCAMORE, Ill. (AP) — A judge will consider a motion to permanently dismiss the case against a 73-year-old man who prosecutors say was wrongly convicted in the 1957 killing of a 7-year-old Illinois girl.

A DeKalb County Circuit judge could also weigh a request by the victim's brother to have a special prosecutor appointed to the case at the hearing Friday.

Jack McCullough was sentenced to life in prison in 2012 in the killing of Maria Ridulph in Sycamore. But the successor to the state's attorney who prosecuted the case says a review found flaws in the investigation and prosecution. He determined McCullough's alibi was solid.

A judge vacated the conviction and McCullough was released April 15.

State's Attorney Richard Schmack filed a motion Tuesday asking the judge to dismiss the case with prejudice.