Prosecutors consider retrying two in rape-murder

CHICAGO -- Cook County prosecutors are trying to match DNA evidence to a number of people linked to the investigation of a 9-year-old girl's 1976 rape and murder, and may retry two men who were convicted by later released from prison, a spokesman said.

Michael Evans and Paul Terry went to prison in 1977 for Lisa Cabassa's killing, but a Cook County judge released them in May. DNA evidence from the case did not match the two.

Now the state's attorney's office is trying more tests, spokesman John Gorman said.

Evans and Terry are scheduled to appear before Cook County Circuit Judge Dennis Porter Sept. 16. Evans said he is growing frustrated by the proceedings.

"I was hoping to be doing better today, but I'm patient," he said. "Me and Paul Terry are innocent, and we always have been. I don't understand what the problem is."

Evans' attorney, Karen Daniel, said she is unaware of any new evidence of his guilt. She and Terry's attorney, Jeff Urdangen, have filed a motion to compel police and prosecutors to turn over their notes about the case.