Macomb, IL – The panelists talk about a prosecutor's attempt to pressure the Innocence Project.
The Innocence Project is an investigative journalism class offered by the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism. Students research murder cases. A number of times they've demonstrated the innocence of someone who is incarcerated. In other cases, they've proven a suspect's guilt.
Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez has issued subpoenas in order to obtain notes, off-the-record interviews, and other information from the students regarding their investigation into the case of Anthony McKinney, who was convicted of killing a security guard in 1978.
The Illinois News Broadcasters Association and other groups have protested Alvarez's actions. The Shop Talk panelists also criticize her. They feel the students should receive the same protections as reporters because their work has been published and broadcast, the same as professional reporters.