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Hearing set on if special prosecutor needed in murder case

Posted June 21, 2016 7:00 am

The Associated Press

SYCAMORE, Ill. (AP) - A hearing is scheduled to determine if a campaign promise made by an Illinois prosecutor undermined his work in the case involving the 1957 killing of a 7-year-old girl and requires appointment of a special prosecutor.

The Daily Chronicle in DeKalb reports (http://bit.ly/28NfqV2) murder victim Maria Ridulph's older brother, Charles Ridulph, claims DeKalb County State's Attorney Richard Schmack promised during his 2012 campaign to drop murder charges against Jack McCullough.

DeKalb County Circuit Judge William Brady on Tuesday scheduled a hearing for July 12 to hear witnesses to be called by attorney Bruce Brandwein, who says he will prove Schmack had a conflict of interest.

McCullough was sentenced to life in prison in 2012 in the killing of Maria Ridulph. But Schmack says a review found flaws in the investigation and prosecution. He determined McCullough's alibi was solid, resulting in his conviction being overturned.

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Information from: The Daily Chronicle, http://www.daily-chronicle.com

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