Conviction overturned in Aurora boy's death, new trial ordered

AURORA, Ill. (WLS) -- An appeals court has overturned the conviction of a man serving 70 years in prison for killing a 6-year-old Aurora boy.

Nicholas Contreras was shot to death back in 1996 as he slept at his grandparents' house. It wasn't until 2009 that Mark Downs was convicted of killing the boy.

But an appeals court ruled that the trial judge made an error while answering a jury question and has ordered a new trial.