Judge overturns murder conviction of woman who said 2 Chicago police detectives framed her

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Cook County judge vacated the conviction of a woman who said she was framed by two former Chicago police detectives.

Madeline Mendoza spent more than 17 years in prison for a 1992 double murder in Humboldt Park.

Mendoza's lawyers argued that another woman convicted in the murders acted alone and that Detectives Reynaldo Guevara and Ernest Halvorsen made up the story that Mendoza took part.

"It's a new chapter for me," Mendoza said. "It's already been a good chapter for me. I've been very productive since I've been home so this is just another steppingstone to get to where I want to get."

"We finally have this stain off Madeline's record," said Joel Flaxman, Mendoza's attorney. "I think it's a great day."

Mendoza was a teen mom when this happened and said she missed a lot, including losing dear relatives.

"It is a bittersweet moment for me because the people who were here for me are not here anymore," she said.

In the 13 years since she was released, she says again and again she was shut out of housing and jobs due to the conviction.

"Once they find out you have a background, without giving you a chance, nope, the doors close for you," Mendoza said.

She is among dozens who had their convictions vacated due to the Guevara's involvement.

"I think it's really important for anyone in that situation to have this new beginning and have real justice after all these years," Flaxman said.

Mendoza emphasizes she is not going to focus on the bitter, but the positive and what she can do. She wants to go to law school to fight for others wrongfully convicted.

"Now I can go to the best law schools, now I can have a better job," Mendoza said. "I'm going to show that there is a better light at the end of the tunnel and there is there's hope."

Mendoza will file for a Certification of Innocence to formally clear her name as she rebuilds her life.