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With Death Sentence Commuted, Inmate Drops Appeal
CHICAGO (AP) -- The man found guilty of the 1983 rape and murder of 10 year old Jeanine Nicarico of Naperville is dropping the appeal of his conviction now that his death sentence has been commuted.

Public defender Charles Hoffman says Brian Dugan contacted him from Pontiac Correctional Center and asked him to begin the two- to three-week process to stop the appeal.

Governor Pat Quinn commuted the sentences of the 15 inmates Wednesday after signing legislation to abolish the death penalty in Illinois. The men will now serve life in prison with no hope of parole.

According to Hoffman, Quinn's actions gutted most of the specific arguments in Dugan's appeal.

Two other suspects were wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death in the murder of Jeanine Nicarico and exonerated years later.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
03 11 11 by Newsroom
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