Michael Daniels Released After 39 Years of Wrongful Imprisonment

Michael immediately returned to his childhood home to see his mom, who never gave up on her dream he would one day return.

Nearly 40 summers ago, Michael was a high school student preparing for his senior year at Evanston Township High School when his nightmare began. Michael, who had never been in trouble with the law, was arrested at his home and he never returned. 

Michael’s legal team achieved a major victory two days prior when a resentencing hearing in Chicago ended with the Court and Cook County State's Attorney both agreeing to his release. The hearing was held in the same courtroom where his trial took place in 1987 and where the state sought the death penalty. At sentencing Michael told the judge: “I am innocent.” The judge sentenced him to life without parole.