A judge has granted a new trial to a Chicago man who has spent more than 20 years in prison in connection with a drug-related double murder.
Cook County Circuit Judge Alfredo Maldonado ruled Thursday that 46-year-old Edward Bolden had a "substantial deprivation of constitutional rights" following his arrest for the Jan. 29, 1994, crimes.
Maldonado noted how the prosecution's evidence based on the wounded brother of a murder victim was "far from overwhelming." The judge noted the "problematic identification" of Bolden by the witness and the lack of other evidence connecting Bolden to the murders.
The judge also criticized Bolden's then assistant public defender for ineffective counsel for not trying to locate a key alibi witness.
A spokeswoman says the state's attorney's office is considering whether to appeal or retry Bolden.
