Omar Saunders

Time Served:

13 Years

State: Illinois

Charge: Murder, Robbery, Kidnapping, Sexual Assault

Conviction: Murder, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Agg. Crim. Sexual Assault (2 cts.)

Sentence: Life

Incident Date: 10/18/1986

Conviction Date: 05/10/1988

Exoneration Date: 02/05/2001

Accused Pleaded Guilty: No

Contributing Causes of Conviction: False Confessions or Admissions, Informants, Unvalidated or Improper Forensic Science

Death Penalty Case: No

Race of Defendant: African American

Status: Exonerated by DNA

Alternative Perpetrator Identified: Yes

Type of Crime: Homicide-related, Sex Crimes

Forensic Science at Issue: Flawed Serology, Hair Analysis