SUMMARY

In January 1993, 16-year-old Fabian Santiago was falsely accused of a murder in Chicago. Police coerced him into giving a statement through threats and physical abuse, ignored his requests for a lawyer, and relied on false witness identifications. He was convicted and sentenced to 90 years in prison.

Decades later, Bonjean Law Group attorneys Jennifer Bonjean and Ashley Cohen uncovered police misconduct, falsified reports, and recanted witness statements proving Santiago’s innocence. After 30 years, his conviction was vacated, the case dismissed in October 2022, and he was released in January 2022. In July 2023, Santiago received a certificate of innocence and is pursuing compensation from the state.