CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - A 43-year old man who had been behind bars since he was a teenager was freed Thursday night after a jury overturned his murder conviction.
There was no physical evidence or witnesses who tied Robert Johnson to the 1996 murder of drug dealer Eddie Binion.
There was the testimony, though, of another teen who later said detectives for corrupt Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge forced him to tell a lie in court.
Thursday night, Johnson walked out of Cook County Jail a free man.
“I just want the world to know that there’s still people here in prison and in Cook County Jail for things they, for crimes they didn’t commit,” Johnson said.
He credits his faith in God and the belief in him by his now-92-year old grandmother that got him through nearly 29 years in prison for something he didn’t do.
“She’s always say, ‘Well, Robert, I hope I’m here when you get out,’” said Johnson. “I always used to say, ‘Don’t say that. You gonna be here.’”
Johnson said he couldn’t wait for a home-cooked meal because, as he pointed out, prison food is horrible.
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok I Bluesky