William Amor: Illinois; False confessions; Outdated arson 'science.' He is to be retried for the 1995 arson murder of his mother-in-law after DuPage County Judge vacated his sentence in light of expert testimony that may prove him innocent..."Amor was convicted in 1997 after he reportedly confessed to soaking newspaper in vodka and igniting it with a cigarette to start the blaze. He was given a 45-year prison sentence In a recent hearing, however, fire experts asserted that it would not be possible to start a fire in such a manner and concluded that the fire that killed Micelli was not a result of arson. This information led Judge Liam Brennan to vacate Amor’s sentence until a September retrial, with bond set at $100,000. Amor’s lawyers have suggested that he was coerced into a confession after “two weeks in jail, immediately followed by being served divorce papers at the station, and 15 hours of questioning.”

STORY: "Mother-in-Law Murder: Retrial for Naperville Man Two Decades After Fatal Arson," by reporter Lisa Marie Farver, published by The Naperville Patch on May 11, 2017.

SUB-HEADING:  "William Amor, 60, was convicted of killing his mother-in-law in an alleged arson in 1995. Now, fire experts suggest he may be innocent. "

GIST: A Naperville man will be retried for the 1995 arson murder of his mother-in-law after DuPage County Judge vacated his sentence in light of expert testimony that may prove him innocent. William Amor, 60, has already served more than 20 years in prison for allegedly murdering Marianne Miceli. Miceli died in a fire in the Naperville apartment she lived in with Amor and his spouse, who was her daughter, Chicago Tribune reported. Amore and his wife, Tina Miceli reportedly left moments before to go to a movie. Amor was convicted in 1997 after he reportedly confessed to soaking newspaper in vodka and igniting it with a cigarette to start the blaze. He was given a 45-year prison sentence In a recent hearing, however, fire experts asserted that it would not be possible to start a fire in such a manner and concluded that the fire that killed Micelli was not a result of arson. This information led Judge Liam Brennan to vacate Amor’s sentence until a September retrial, with bond set at $100,000. Amor’s lawyers have suggested that he was coerced into a confession after “two weeks in jail, immediately followed by being served divorce papers at the station, and 15 hours of questioning.”

The entire story can be found at:

https://patch.com/illinois/naperville/mother-law-murder-retrial-naperville-man-two-decades-after-fatal-arson

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith. Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at: http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com. Harold Levy; Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog;