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Northwestern Students' Grades, Email Subpoenaed
Produced by Kate Gardiner on Monday, October 19, 2009

Anita Alvarez (WBEZ file photo/

Cook County state's attorney Anita Alvarez addressed concerns today over subpoenas issued for Northwestern University students' grades. Her office is asking for the records as part of an ongoing investigation into the shooting death of a bank security guard in 1978.

The Chicago Tribune reports Northwestern journalism students have information showing Anthony McKinney, who was convicted in the killing, may be innocent.

Alvarez says the students were not acting as reporters, and are not protected by Illinois Reporter's Privilege Act [PDF].

ALVAREZ: These students have acted in the role of investigators and they have interviewed witnesses and so we're asking for basically all that information including any notes.

The Medill Innocence Project at Northwestern is credited for the release of 11 inmates who were wrongfully convicted.

The school is fighting the subpoena.