| First Name | Christopher |
| Last Name | Abernathy |
| Year of Conviction | 1987 |
| Year of Exoneration | 2015 |
| State of Conviction | Illinois |
| Trial, Bench Trial, or Guilty Plea | Trial |
| Type of Crime | Rape and Murder |
| Death Sentence | No |
| Life / LWOP sentence | Life without parole |
| Gender of Exoneree | Male |
| Race of exoneree | White |
| Juvenile | No |
| Types of evidence at trial |
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| Were non-public facts alleged? | Yes |
| Examples of Non-Public or Corroborated Facts and Inconsistencies | ● Raped victim while she was walking home ● stabbed with pocket knife |
| Interrogation Recorded | Written and signed confession statement |
| Jailhouse informant, Co-defendant, Incentivized Witness | IW |
| Quotes regarding any deal or leniency with informant, or prior use of informant | ● Post-conviction, benefits offered to informant came to light that were not disclosed to the defense at trial |
| Highest level reached | Appeal |
| Claims Raised During All Appeals and Postconviction |
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| Harmless Error Rulings |
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| Citations to judicial opinions | People v. Abernathy, 545 N.E.2d 201 (Ill App. 3d 1989) |