SUMMARY

In June 1993, Nelson Gonzalez was falsely accused of murdering Jose Mendoza in Chicago. The case rested entirely on a lineup manipulated by Chicago Police Detective Reynaldo Guevara, despite Gonzalez not matching the victim’s description. Gonzalez was convicted in 1994 and sentenced to 45 years in prison.

Years later, the Bonjean Law Group investigated the case, revealing Guevara’s history of misconduct, including coercing witnesses and fabricating reports. DNA testing excluded Gonzalez from evidence collected at the scene. On August 9, 2022, the Cook County State’s Attorney vacated his convictions and dismissed the case. In 2023, Gonzalez was granted a certificate of innocence, awarded $268,960 in state compensation, and later filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Guevara and other officers.