SUMMARY

On July 21, 2022, Jeremiah Cain was exonerated of a 1999 murder in Chicago, Illinois, after more than 23 years in prison. The dismissal followed a multi-year investigation by the Bonjean Law Group, which uncovered evidence proving Mr. Cain’s innocence. His co-defendant, Eruby Abrego, was also exonerated, and the investigation identified the real killer, who admitted to the shooting.

The crime occurred on March 22, 1999, when Jose Garcia and his nephew Ramon Torres were shot in a gang-related incident. Cain was wrongly accused of supplying the gun used in the shooting, and Abrego was falsely accused as the shooter. Their convictions were based on coerced confessions, false witness identifications, and police misconduct, including physical abuse and threats by detectives.

Post-conviction investigations revealed that the witnesses’ identifications were manipulated by detectives and that the real gunman, Nicascio Santiago, admitted in recorded and sworn statements that he had committed the crime and that Cain and Abrego were not involved. In 2022, following hearings on these affidavits and recantations, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office vacated the convictions of both men and dismissed the charges, securing their release.

In March 2023, Mr. Cain filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Chicago and the officers involved. In April 2024, he received a certificate of innocence, enabling him to seek compensation from the State of Illinois.