CHICAGO (WGN) – Former Chicago Police Det. Reynaldo Guevara was a no-show in court Tuesday in a case linked to others he investigated.
Despite him not being present in court, another six convictions linked to his cases were overturned.
After collectively serving over 100 years behind bars for a 1987 home invasion and murder, six men had their convictions overturned on Tuesday.
Guevara served as the investigator for those cases and was well-known in the Humboldt Park community for closing cases no one else could.
The men convicted served their full sentences. Among them was Gregorio Cardona, who spent 27 years behind bars.
“I always knew this day would come. I always knew. When I found the evidence out in ’99, 12 years after I was incarcerated, I knew this day would come,” Cardona said.
Attorney Michael Oppenheimer argued there was no evidence against the men, and the convictions strongly affected the families of those wrongfully convicted.
“There was no evidence against these guys. They brought the men who stand behind me, including one person whose son is here today, his father died in prison based on this false case of multiple sclerosis,” Oppenheimer said.
With Tuesday’s developments, dozens of convictions have been overturned in the last few years. Many of the men convicted point the finger at Guevara, accusing him of manipulating evidence and coercing confessions in order to close cases.
Guevara did not testify Tuesday, but has pled the fifth before, protecting him from self-incrimination.
Guevara, now in his early 80s, retired in San Antonio. A few years ago, WGN Investigates went to San Antonio and tracked him down.
He called the local police as he was afraid to go on camera.
“I’m a retired police officer from Chicago. I moved here three years ago and they were parked over there. There they are,” Guevara was heard saying on police body camera video.
Wile the Guevara cases continue to unravel, it’s been many years since the crimes originally happened, meaning the potential for a re-trial is unlikely.
“The state is not intending to re-try them. They are not objecting to our motion. Their convictions have been vacated. They can now hopefully move on and enjoy their lives after everything they’ve been through,” Oppenheimer said.
As for what happens next, attorneys will file for what’s known as a certificate of innocence, which paves the way for a potential monetary settlement. It is unclear how long that could take.
So far, the City of Chicago has spent over $100 million in attorneys and settlements, with more expected.
