A man from Chicago has been released from prison after more than 30 years due to a wrongful murder conviction. Hilton Keller had been incarcerated for the armed robbery and killing of Ollie Jones, who owned a music and game shop, on May 19, 1991. According to Keller’s lawyer, there is substantial evidence suggesting that another individual, who has since passed away, was responsible for the murder. Furthermore, prosecutors failed to disclose exculpatory evidence and did not fulfill their obligation to share this information with Keller’s legal team. Keller was freed from prison on Monday evening.
Hilton Keller was only 18 when, as stated by his lawyer, he was wrongfully accused by a senior gang member and the Chicago police of the armed robbery and murder of Ollie Jones, who owned a game store. At that point, prosecutors based their case on the testimony of a younger gang member, who subsequently recanted and confessed to fabricating his statements, according to Keller’s attorney. However, prosecutors proceeded with their case, allegedly depending on the testimonies of two other deceitful witnesses.
Information legally required to be shared with Keller’s defense team was not provided. In May 2019, one of the individuals who gave false testimony against Keller had a conversation with him from jail, admitting his part in the wrongful conviction. In March, Keller accepted a plea deal that reduced his sentence from 70 years to 60 years, and due to “good time” credits, he was released for seven months. Keller’s lawyer stated he agreed to the deal out of a desperate desire to see his dying mother in Texas, whom he ultimately never got to visit. Keller later chose to seek the vacating of his conviction, insisting that it be dismissed rather than simply having his sentence reduced. As a result of this agreement being overturned, he returned to prison while his legal team worked to dismiss the conviction, which was ultimately achieved on Monday.
