Questions of Justice: The Nicarico Murder Case

Illinois is home to the nation's sixth-highest rate of wrongful convictions. The story of Aurora's Rolando Cruz is one harrowing example.

Illinois is home to the nation’s sixth-highest rate of wrongful convictions. The story of Aurora’s Rolando Cruz is one harrowing example.

In 1985, Cruz and his friend Alejandro Hernandez were tried, wrongfully convicted, and sent to death row for the murder of Jeanine Nicarico, a 10-year-old girl from Naperville, Illinois. Another co-defendant, Steve Buckley, was not convicted. Cruz and Hernandez each spent years fearing death for a crime they did not commit.

DNA evidence, recanted testimony from individuals in law enforcement and the implication of serial killer Brian Dugan lead to the release of Cruz and Hernandez in 1995. Dugan confessed to the murder and was convicted in 2009.

Sponsored by Aurora University and co-sponsored by the Illinois Policy Institute, “Questions of Justice: Nicarico murder case” invited Cruz and key lawyers in this landmark case to speak about their experiences and the implications for criminal justice today.

Speakers:

David Camic
Lecturer in Law and Justice, Aurora University
Senior Fellow, Illinois Policy
Partner, Camic Johnson, Ltd.

Gary Johnson
Steve Buckley’s attorney
Partner at Camic Johnson, Ltd.

Thomas McCulloch
Brian Dugan’s lawyer
DeKalb County Public Defender

Rolando Cruz
Criminal Justice Reform Activist
Wrongfully Convicted of Murder