Twin brothers, Karl Smith and Kevin Dugar
Chicago, IL — Karl Smith, a 38-year old man from Chicago, has recently come forth to make a shocking courtroom confession admitting that he was the one who committed a crime that earned his twin brother a 54-year prison sentence. Back in 2003, his brother, Kevin Dugar, was convicted of firing a gun into a small group of people. One person died, and another was seriously wounded.According to The Chicago Tribune, Karl testified on the witness stand to a Cook County Illinois judge, saying, “I’m here to confess to a crime I committed that he was wrongly accused of.” But Karl has also himself been in prison for the past three years serving a 99-year sentence for a 2008 home invasion robbery.
He reportedly sent a letter to his twin brother confessing to the crime. He said in his letter that he was owning up to it because “I have to get it off my chest before it kills me.” He later signed a sworn affidavit detailing his admission.
But a new trial will not automatically be granted
Despite the confession, Kevin’s release from prison won’t be that simple. According to his lawyer, authorities have no evidence linking him to the crime. She also claims that his photo was not even included in the photo lineup that was shown to witnesses. She argued in court that his brother’s confession raises enough doubt to grant Kevin a new trial.
However, Assistant State’s Attorney Carol Rogala has questioned Kevin’s motive in coming forward. She says he only chose to do so after an appeals court upheld his own conviction.
As of now, it remains unclear if the Cook County Judge overseeing the case will grant Kevin a new trial.