In Response To Our Demands: Northwestern University Initiates Investigation Into The Medill Innocence Project
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Ever since this case broke over a year ago, we have called upon Northwestern, many times, to investigate the work of the Medill Innocence Project and their handling of the Anthony McKinney case. Finally, that investigation will occur. According to the Chicago Tribune: Northwestern has hired former U.S. attorney Anton Valukas to look into the project's investigation of the hotly contested case as well as other potential ethical violations by Protess and his students. New allegations have surfaced that students were making secret recording of witness interviews, which under most circumstances is a violation of Illinois law.
This is a step in the right direction. At the same time, however, Northwestern and Medill's reluctance to disclose their entire investigation and comply with the State's Attorneys subpoena for over a year now has shed light on their mission to free McKinney. If Medill and Northwestern actually believe that he is innocent - they would be doing everything possible to make sure he doesn't spend one more "unjust" day in prison. From day one, they would have opened up their folders and records and claimed "we have nothing to hide" - they didn't. For over a year now, they have sought to protect their own interests - not McKinney.
Why is that?
