By AP/KWMU
Chicago, IL – A man whose murder confession freed an Illinois death row inmate now says promises of fame and fortune persuaded him to falsely admit guilt.
Alstory Simon says a private investigator threatened him to get him to confess and promised him a share in the proceeds of movie and book deals Anthony Porter was sure to win upon his release.
Porter came within days of execution for the crime. His case sparked a review of the death penalty system in Illinois.
A pair of Northwestern University professors who worked to free Porter calls the new claim absurd.