Verneal Jimerson
- Year
- 1996
- Where
- Illinois
- Source
- Innocence Project
- Evidence
- 1
In 1985, Verneal Jimerson — one of the "Ford Heights Four" — was wrongly convicted of a murder he did not commit in Illinois. He was exonerated in June 1996.
One-line description from the Innocence Project. Records change. The source is the authority.
Got ten minutes? Do one of these.
What evidence was the conviction built on, and what has changed since trial?
- Write down what the conviction rested on: eyewitness, confession, forensics, informant.
- Find the court opinion and read what changed after trial.
- Look for other cases with the same detective, lab or prosecutor.
New to this? Read the field guide. Five short lessons.
What is out there.
Nobody has researched this case yet. Have the AI search the web for reporting, podcasts and videos about it.
Search elsewhere
More in Illinois
People v. Medera
Appellate Court of Illinois issued an opinion on November 12, 2026 that deals with an innocence claim. From the opinion: “…his or her conviction based on a claim of actual innocence or where there was a substantial denial of…”
1992 · IllinoisOverturned
Wrongful conviction of Juan Rivera
Juan A. Rivera Jr. (born October 31, 1972) is an American man who was wrongfully convicted three times for the 1992 rape and murder of 11-year-old Holly Staker in Waukegan, Illinois. He was convicted twice on the basis of a confession that he said was coerced.
2026 · Appellate Court of IllinoisIn courtPeople v. Lehnert
Appellate Court of Illinois issued an opinion on November 10, 2026 that deals with an innocence claim. From the opinion: “…plea claim but reverse the dismissal of his actual innocence claim and remand for further proceedings.…”