Francisco Benitez
Francisco Benitez spent 34 years in prison in Chicago, USA, for a crime he did not commit. Francisco was 18 years old when he was arrested in 1989 and accused of killing two teenagers, William Sanchez and Prudencio Cruz, but Benitez maintained his innocence all these years.
He was released in August 2023 after presenting strong evidence of his innocence. Now two eyewitnesses claim they saw who actually committed the murders, and it wasn’t Benitez.
Benitez’s lawyer, Anand Swaminathan, says all the evidence used against Francisco Benitez was fabricated. They were false, made up, and they were used to make a case against the young man because they couldn’t figure out who actually committed the murder.
A man has filed a federal lawsuit against the city and two Chicago police officers after he spent 34 years in prison wrongfully convicted of murder. Benitez, 53, hopes the city settles his case quickly so he can find a place to live.
MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:
‘I’ll never get that time back’: Wrongfully convicted man sues city of Chicago, former police officers who framed him
CASE STATUS:
The Action Group has sought clarification on the current case from US President Joseph Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland. The Initiative Group considers it important to fight police brutality and can provide legal and informational assistance to Francisco Benitez and his family if necessary.
