Naperville man acquitted for murder, arson in mother-in-law's 1995 death

WHEATON, Ill. (WLS) -- A judge found a former Naperville man not guilty in connection with the 1995 arson and murder of his mother-in-law.

"The court cannot determine William Amor is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt." Those were the words William Amor waited for more than two decades to hear.

Upon hearing that, 62-year-old Amor cried tears of joy at the defense table. While he served 22 years in prison for arson and the murder of his mother-in-law, he said he never lost faith.

"I believed the system would do the right thing, I just never thought it would take 22 years," he said before leaving the DuPage County courthouse a completely free ma.

His sister, Shelley Williams, said she never gave up hope, either.

"Now that's over and he's here for good, it's overwhelming," she said.

Amor claimed police coerced him into a confession.

DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin said in a written statement: "This was a very complicated case originally based on fire science available at the time. Since that time, more than 20 years later, fire science has improved dramatically and consequently the evidence presented at this trial has changed from that presented in 1995."

"This is a whole new world. It's literally the first day of the rest of Bill's life," said Lauren Kaesberg, of the Innocence Project.

Amor was sentenced to serve 45 years in prison. Now, he views it as his job to help other wrongfully convicted prisoners.