Group petitions board arguing for man's innocence

SPRINGFIELD, IL (KFVS) - He's been called Timothy Krajcir's tenth victim.

Today a group lead by the Downstate Innocence Project fought for Grover Thompson, a man they believe was wrongfully convicted of a crime the serial killer confessed to.

Wednesday, SIU law students, police from Carbondale and Cape Girardeau along with Grover Thompson's family petitioned the Illinois Prisoner Review Board in the state capitol arguing for Thompson's innocence.

The board of two men and two women gave the group 25 minutes to present evidence of why they think Grover Thompson should be exonerated.

Cape Girardeau Detective Jimmy Smith says Timothy Kracjir told him that he confessed to the crime and told prosecutors that he thought a black man had been arrested for the crime.

But Smith says Kracjir didn't think that man would not be convicted. But he was.

That's why the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project picked up the case to clear Thompson's name.

Thompson's nephew S. T. Jamison says while exoneration would not bring his uncle back, it would bring his family peace.

The Prisoner Review Board did not issue a ruling on Wednesday. They didn't say whether or not they would recommend or deny the request, but one way or another they will make a decision to the governor.

Once the prison review board's is on his desk, Governor Quinn will have unlimited time to make his decision.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.

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