Northwestern, ex-professor lose bid to toss out $40 million case

A federal judge Tuesday allowed a $40 million lawsuit to proceed against Northwestern University, a former journalism professor and a private detective who are accused of conspiring to frame a man with a double murder.

Alstory Simon spent about 15 years behind bars for the slayings of Jerry Hillard and Marilyn Green. But Simon's conviction was reversed in 2014 after Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez conducted an investigation that concluded he was railroaded.

Simon is now suing Northwestern as well as former journalism professor David Protess and private investigator Paul Ciolino.