The Law School’s Criminal and Juvenile Justice Clinic (CJJC) recently secured a major victory for an 18-year-old client who was facing charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated battery with a firearm. A jury acquitted the teenager of all charges last month in Cook County Criminal Court.

The CJJC took on the teenager’s case in January 2025, approximately one year after the events that led to the prosecution. That incident involved the teenager being threatened by a group of individuals, resulting in the death of one person in the group and in injuries for some of the others. The clinic successfully argued that their client’s life was in danger from this group, he acted in self-defense, and therefore was not guilty.

“Our client faced a life sentence, so the stakes couldn’t have been higher,” said Erica Zunkel, director of the CJJC and the Law School’s clinical and experiential learning program. “The case was also complex with a lot of different legal issues at play, but this has been the history of the clinic—to run towards representing young people at these crucial moments in their lives.”

Under Zunkel’s direction, a team of eight students worked together to help their young client, who was 16 years old when the incident happened and who was tried as an adult. The multi-layered case also included the help of a local criminal defense attorney and a private investigator.

The students were essential during the trial, Zunkel said, noting that the trial occurred during their graduation week. “They were laser-focused on telling our client’s story and in pursuing every investigative lead,” she said. “This result would not have been possible without their tireless work.”

Daniel Egozi, ’26, was one of the students who worked on the case during his time in the clinic. He played a key role in organizing discovery, working with the private investigator, drafting and arguing motions, and conducting the direct examination of a key defense witness, including preparing the witness for trial—which turned out to be a delicate process. 

“The time we spent preparing for this witness’s direct examination allowed their testimony to run smoothly at trial,” said Egozi, “but the real challenge was earning their trust. It took time to develop a rapport and earn enough trust such that they were comfortable testifying.”

Hannah State, ’26, another student attorney involved in the case, questioned several witnesses and delivered the opening statement. 

“Our client was trusting me in this massively consequential context, and I did not take that lightly,” said State. “But when I actually got on my feet, the nerves went away. The preparation we had done—truly working up the case from top to bottom—helped to give me confidence, and so did the fact that I knew that Professor Zunkel had my back 100% of the way.”

State said that a key takeaway from the experience was how powerful it is to be part of a team. “It was so rewarding to see how things crystalized in our weekly meetings, moots, and whole-clinic case rounds. Working together allowed us to tackle this case from all angles and litigate it to the fullest. Every member of the team put their heart and soul into advocating for our client. It was a really special thing to be a part of.”

Egozi said the case left him with a deeper appreciation for the role of juries in the criminal justice system. “Jury trials can be risky and unpredictable,” he explained. “So, in the year leading up to trial, we did everything we could to resolve the case short of trial given the strength of our case, but to no avail. In the end, twelve laypeople were the backstop to protecting our client’s liberty.”

Zunkel said that while the case was challenging, “that’s where growth and learning really happen. I hope the students remember this trial for the rest of their legal careers because it demonstrates the power of lawyers, the power of putting your all into protecting people’s rights—and the importance of making sure your client’s story is being told.”

“It was emotional,” said Egozi, on the reading of the not guilty verdicts. “Our client and his family had placed so much trust in us, so seeing them awash with relief—seeing him get his life back—was a special moment.”