In a surprising turn of events, prosecutors have dismissed charges against two men accused of killing off-duty Chicago police officer Clifton Lewis in 2011. One of the men, Tyrone Clay, had spent nearly 12 years in jail awaiting trial amidst allegations of police and prosecutorial misconduct.

Clay faced nearly 80 counts, and Edgardo Colon faced almost 20 counts in connection with Lewis's death during a convenience store robbery where he was working security. Colon's 2017 conviction was overturned in 2020 after a court found his confession was obtained improperly during a lengthy interrogation despite his request for an attorney.

The charges were dropped just before a hearing where investigators were expected to testify about their handling of the case. The prosecution stated they could no longer meet their burden of proof. Clay is expected to be released from jail imminently, while Colon has been free on bond awaiting a retrial that will now not occur.

A third defendant, Alexander Villa, convicted in 2019, is also seeking a new trial. His attorney discovered allegedly withheld evidence, including cell phone records suggesting the three men were not present at the scene of the crime. Colon's lawyer had filed a motion to sanction the prosecutors for withholding this information, which is now moot due to the dropped charges.

Legal experts have highlighted the significant amount of allegedly concealed and destroyed evidence in this case. While expressing relief for Colon and Clay, they also acknowledged the tragedy of Officer Lewis's death and criticized the rush to charge and convict, which they believe undermined the pursuit of justice.