Downstate Illinois Innocence Project®

The Darwin Sullivan Case

Darwin Sullivan was convicted of murdering another youth while attending a New Year’s Eve party on January 1, 1990. He has consistently maintained his innocence. Working under the supervision of Dale Schempp, Sullivan’s attorney on his post-conviction relief petition, and Nancy Ford and Bill Clutter, students found and interviewed numerous witnesses. The witnesses supported Sullivan’s claim that he did not shoot the deceased. These witnesses and several others, who corroborated Sullivan’s version of events, testified at the post-conviction hearing, which took place over four days in 2003. Most compelling was the recantation testimony of the only witness at trial who testified he saw Sullivan commit the murder. Despite this new evidence, Judge Robert Eggers denied Sullivan’s petition for post-conviction relief. Sullivan, with the help of the Illinois Office of the State Appellate Defender, has appealed Eggers’ order.