On Thursday, February 20, 2025, ABC 7 Chicago reported that former Cook County Assistant State’s Attorneys Nicolas Trutenko and Andrew Horvat were acquitted of misconduct charges in a landmark trial. This case marked the first time that assistant state’s attorneys faced criminal charges related to their prosecutorial duties. The defendants expressed relief, asserting that their acquittals demonstrated they should never have been charged.
The trial centered around the prosecution of Jackie Wilson, whose murder conviction was overturned after he spent 36 years in prison. Trutenko, who originally prosecuted Wilson’s case in 1982, maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. Following the verdict, he stated, “I would not do things differently,” emphasizing his pride in the prosecution’s work.
Wilson was convicted based on a confession that was later revealed to have been coerced by former Police Sergeant Jon Burge. Following the verdict, Wilson voiced his disappointment, asserting, “No justice, no m*f** peace,” emphasizing the emotional weight of the ruling.
Judge Daniel Shanes, who presided over the trial, acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the case, noting its extraordinary circumstances. The special prosecutor, Lawrence Oliver, expressed his disagreement with the verdict and indicated plans to review the judge’s 53-page ruling for potential legal missteps.
Source: ABC 7 Chicago
