East Cleveland 3, Once Convicted of Murder, Inch Closer to New Trial

The "East Cleveland 3" — Derrick Wheatt, Eugene Johnson, and Laurese Glover — walked out of prison one year ago, but they're still fighting to clear their names and awaiting a new trial. 

The three men were convicted of the 1995 murder of Clifton Hudson in East Cleveland. Since then, the case has unfolded in various courts amid a number of legal twists and turns; witnesses have recanted testimony, and new evidence has been uncovered that shows the assistant prosecutor at the time concealing exculpatory documents. The Ohio Innocence Project at the University of Cincinnati took up the case and began tracking down new evidence that pushed the men's cases forward.

The convictions were thrown out by Judge Nancy Russo last year. 

Legal wrangling on both sides played out over the ensuing year, but recently a Cuyahoga County Appeals Court ruling affirmed Russo's order, Fox 8 reports. 

Still, though, the path forward remains a bit muddy. The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office may appeal this newest ruling or proceed with the upcoming trial.