Police to reinvestigate Dixmoor girl's 1991 murder

The Cook County sheriff and Dixmoor police said Wednesday that they're reopening their investigation into the case of a 14-year-old girl who was slain in 1991.

Five teenagers were convicted in the death of Cateresa Matthews, but they were released from prison in 2011 based on DNA evidence. Three served 19 years in prison and two served 10 years. They were later given certificates of innocence.

"We are collectively going to be working to bring justice to Cateresa Matthews and her family," Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Dart said Dixmoor Police Chief Ron Burge asked him for help in the case. Burge said the Cook County sheriff's office has the "capability and manpower" to investigate a "case of this magnitude."

Burge added that the case is personal because he grew up next to the girl's mother and watched Cateresa grow up.

The five teens filed a lawsuit in 2012 against state and local police claiming officers coerced false confessions, withheld evidence and fabricated witness testimony. The lawsuits alleged that police linked the DNA to a convicted sex offender.