By: Derek Hawkins//June 1, 2020//
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Case Name: Albert Kirkman v. Scott Thompson
Case No.: 19-1904
Officials: BAUER, EASTERBROOK, and HAMILTON, Circuit Judges.
Focus: Evidentiary Hearing – Recanted Testimony
Albert Kirkman (“Kirkman”) was arrested and charged with the murders of two men and attempted murder of a third, Willie Johnson (“Johnson”). At trial, Johnson testified that Kirkman and his accomplice were the shooters. Kirkman was convicted and appealed his sentence. Fifteen years later, Johnson recanted his testimony and Kirkman was convicted and appealed his sentence. The Illinois Circuit Court (“circuit court”) held an evidentiary hearing and found Johnson’s recanted testimony not credible. The Illinois Appellate Court affirmed. Kirkman then filed an action with the Northern District of Illinois, which denied his petition for habeas corpus relief and for the following reasons, we affirm.
Affirmed