A man whose 2007 terroristic threat conviction was overturned may finally be able to put his legal troubles behind him after the Illinois Supreme Court refused to intervene.
The state's high court decided Wednesday not to hear an appeal by prosecutors who are trying to restore a Madison County jury verdict against St. Louis native OlutosinOduwole.
Odwuwole's attorney, Jeff Urdangen, says that concludes the nearly six-year legal matter. The 27-year-old was released in March after an appeals court verdict.
He'd been sentenced to five years in prison after authorities found a threatening note in his car parked at the college he attended, Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville. Oduwole argued the writings merely were rap lyrics.
Madison County prosecutor Tom Gibbons released a statement regarding the Supreme Court's decision:
“While I was hopeful that the Illinois Supreme Court would have granted us the opportunity to explain the importance of this case in regards to keeping our community safe, I stand by the verdict of the Madison County jurors who determined that the defendant was indeed a threat to the residents of Madison County.” Gibbons commended Illinois Attorney General Madigan for her support of the appeal. “Attorney General Madigan has once again shown that she is a champion in the battle to protect the public from harm.” Additionally, he thanked police and prosecutors for all of their hard work. He noted that because of that work, and despite the Supreme Court’s decision, Oduwole remains a convicted felon based on his December 2011 guilty plea to computer fraud and theft charges.
