Man cleared in 6-year-old's death gets innocence certificate

CHICAGO (AP) - A certificate of innocence has been handed a Chicago man whose conviction for the 1992 rape and murder of a 6-year-old boy was vacated last month.

The granting by a Cook County judge of the certificate on Thursday to 55-year-old Mark Maxson will allow him to seek a nearly $200,000 reimbursement from the state for his wrongful conviction.

Under the law, the certificate also means the state will expunge Maxson's murder conviction.

DNA evidence showed Maxson didn't kill Lindsey Murdock, and Cook County prosecutors determined Maxson's conviction couldn't stand. Prosecutors say the investigation into the boy's murder is ongoing.

Investigators focused on Maxson after he told a reporter he'd bought chips for the child and told him to go home. Murdock was found dead the next day.

No physical evidence linked Maxson to the crime.