USA - Illinois. The Illinois Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence of Laurence Lovejoy

The Illinois Supreme Court has overturned the conviction and death sentence of Laurence Lovejoy. Lovejoy, 42, was sentenced to death on February 15, 2007(see) for the March 27, 2004 murder of Erin Justice, 16. Prosecutors claimed Erin was killed to keep her from pursuing a rape case against her stepfather. The Court ruled that prosecutors and the judge erred in handling DNA evidence. The Court cited contradicting expert testimony over a bloody footprint. The court sent the case back to DuPage County for a new trial.