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Family Of Tyrone Hood Grateful For Commutation

(CBS) -- Just minutes before, Governor Rauner took office Monday, Pat Quinn made a number of last minute moves, including freeing a man who's spent more than two decades in prison for a crime he says he didn't commit.

CBS 2's Chris Martinez reports nearly 22 years later, the day the family of Tyrone Hood thought might never come, did.

Hood was convicted in the 90's of a murder he said did not commit. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Police claim Hood's fingerprints were found on beer bottles, in the victim's car, but defense attorneys maintaining the evidence pointed to someone else.
They say Hood was wrongfully convicted.

Fast forward to now and the struggle for his freedom is now over. Former Governor Pat Quinn commuted Hood's sentence in his last hours in office, along with five others.

"I was shouting, I thanked God... I was like, this is a dream...my brother actually coming home," said Theresa Kane, Hood's sister.

"When it comes to the love of your family...I mean, you don't give up no matter what creed or color - whatever, you know, stick with them," said Thomas Hood, Tyrone's brother. "If you know that they're being done wrong, stick by their side till the end."

The Cook County State's Attorney office was in the process of reviewing Hood's case on Tuesday they said they have no comment on the governor's move.

Hood will likely be released Wednesday according to his attorney and we're told he's anxious to see his two grandchildren that he has never met.

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