An Illinois appeals court has overturned the conviction of former Northwestern University microbiology/immunology professor Wyndham Lathem, who was accused of murdering his boyfriend in a brutal stabbing, according to ABC 7 Chicago.
In October 2021, Lathem was found guilty of stabbing his then-boyfriend, Trent Cornell-Duranleau, several dozen times in what prosecutors said was an elaborate sexual fantasy. On Jan. 25, 2022, Latham was sentenced to 53 years in prison, Windy City Times had noted, citing WGN. Andrew Warren—who had already pled guilty and was sentenced in connection to Cornell’s death—testified that he flew from England to Chicago to meet Lathem and take part in a pact to kill each other before agreeing to kill 26-year-old Cornell-Duranleau at Lathem’s suggestion.
However, an Illinois court of appeals reversed Latham’s conviction, setting up a potential retrial—all based on Lathem’s apparent lack of access to his attorneys during an overnight break in the trial.
“The case has been remanded back to the Circuit Court of Cook County. Dr. Latham won’t be released. We have an opportunity to renew a motion to release him, but immediately, he’ll be brought back, and we’re at square one there. There may be a new trial,” said Lathem’s attorney, Adam Sheppard.
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