A Cook County judge has overturned the conviction of a man who served 27 years in prison for the murder and attempted rape of a Chicago woman.
Judge Alfredo Maldonado on Monday ordered a new trial for 54-year-old Daniel Andersen in the 1980 murder of 20-year-old Cathy Trunko.
A knife was found three days later. And after Andersen, then 19, was arrested for disorderly conduct, he allegedly confessed to the murder. After conviction, Andersen was sentenced to 55 years in prison. He was released in 2007.
DNA testing three decades later found neither Andersen's nor Trunko's blood was on the knife.
Maldonado called the DNA evidence an "extraordinary compelling fact" leading to his decision. Andersen says he's grateful his parents are alive to see his conviction overturned.
Prosecutors haven't said if they will retry Andersen.
