Alprentiss Nash, 37, became the first person to have their conviction overturned solely by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office new Conviction Integrity Unit. State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez created the unit in February and after a re-investigation of Nash’s case, prosecutors asked a judge to vacate his murder conviction.
Convicted in 1997 of armed robbery and murder, Nash was eventually exonerated through new DNA evidence, a comprehensive investigation of old police records and interviews with witnesses.
Nash’s attorney, Kathleen Zellner, applauded Alvarez telling the Chicago Sun Times, “It’s courageous of her to do this. There are other cases where there’s been DNA results, and different counties still have not acted, or released the person. So we’re extremely excited.”
Nash said, “Well I’m shocked. Finally I’m getting justice. But I’m not mad at anybody. I just want to get on with my life.”
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