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An Elkhart man is now free from prison after a judge granted his petition for post-conviction relief, vacated his conviction, and ordered a new trial. The man, Andrew Royer, is a client of IU McKinney’s Wrongful Conviction Clinic, and its director, Professor Fran Watson, ’80. Professor Watson represented Royer as co-counsel with Elliot Slosar of the new Exoneration Project at Notre Dame Law School. A story about the ruling appears in the South Bend Tribune.

"A great day for justice,” Professor Watson said. “This fight took years, despite the fact that the state acknowledged the use of false fingerprint comparison testimony to convict. I am honored to have worked alongside the Exoneration Project and many dedicated law students to bring about this result for Andy and his family." 

Royer, in the photo at left with his family, was convicted of murder in 2005 and sentenced to 55 years in prison. He was a co-defendant in the case with Lana Canen, who had already been exonerated. The judge found, among other things, that Royer’s due process rights were violated, and that the state suppressed material favorable to the defense. Decisions regarding a retrial may be made later this year.

Professor Watson is the founding director of the Wrongful Conviction Clinic at IU McKinney. She is a clinical professor of law and teaches in Law and Forensic Science, and Lawyering Practice, along with the Wrongful Conviction Clinic.

The photo is from South Bend Tribune photographer Michael Caterina.