A special prosecutor has been named in the case of Ryan Ferguson, whose murder conviction was vacated this week.
Boone County Prosecutor Daniel Knight cited a conflict of interest in requesting a special prosecutor. He participated in the 2005 trial of Ferguson. Missouri assistant attorney general Susan Boresi has been named.
Prosecutors have until November 20 to re-file charges in the case.
Ferguson was convicted of the murder and robbery of Columbia Daily Tribune sports editor Kent Heitholt. A 3-judge court of appeals panel ruled on Tuesday that prosecution in that trial withheld evidence that could have helped Ferguson’s defense attorneys.
The case has been the subject of international attention.
