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In 2017-18, WGLT partnered with the popular true crime podcast Suspect Convictions to explore the 1998 murder of 3-year-old Bloomington girl Christina McNeil. Her father, Barton McNeil, was convicted of the crime but says his ex-girlfriend was the real killer—the same woman who 13 years later was convicted in a second McLean County murder. Suspect Convictions was produced by veteran journalist Scott Reeder and WGLT News Director Emeritus Willis Kern. You can subscribe to the Suspect Convictions podcast.

Suspect Convictions Episode 10: A Letter From Misook

David Proeber
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The Pantagraph (Pool)
Misook (Nowlin) Wang recently sent a letter to Suspect Convictions host Scott Reeder.

GLT is partnering with true crime podcast Suspect Convictions to explore the 1998 murder of 3-year-old Bloomington girl Christina McNeil.

Her father was convicted of the crime but has long maintained his innocence, claiming an ex-girlfriend was the real killer—the same woman later convicted in a separate murder. New episodes air Fridays on GLT’s Sound Ideas. You can also subscribe to the podcast

Credit Willis Kern / WGLT
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WGLT
Suspect Convictions host Scott Reeder with social psychologist and true-crime buff Amanda Vicary, a professor at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington.

For 19 years, including the first nine episodes of Suspect Convictions, convicted murderer Barton McNeil has claimed it was really his ex-girlfriend, Misook (Nowlin) Wang, who killed his 3-year-old daughter. 

On Episode 10 of Suspect Convictions, you’ll hear from Misook for the first time. 

In a letter to host Scott Reeder, Misook denies involvement in Christina McNeil’s death. Misook wrote the letter from Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln, where she’s serving a 55-year prison sentence for murdering her mother-in-law in 2011. The Illinois Innocence Project lawyers working to exonerate McNeil claim the two murders—13 years apart—are similar.

Prosecutors disagree and believe McNeil is guilty. He's serving his sentence at Menard Correctional Center in southern Illinois.

Here’s the letter from Misook: 

“I received your request for an interview. However, due to my own ongoing legal proceedings, I am unable to consent to any detailed media interviews at this time. With regard to Mr. McNeil’s allegation of my involvement in the crime for which he was convicted, I can state with confidence that I was thoroughly investigated, and excluded based on a solid alibi verified by receipts and other records. This is obviously a desperate attempt by Mr. McNeil to gain release from prison by exploiting a tragic but unrelated situation. Please let me know if you need any other question. Thank you so much for your time. Sincerely, Misook Wang”

On this week’s episode, Reeder and co-host Willis Kern are joined by social psychologist and true-crime buff Amanda Vicary, a professor at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. They discuss the twists and turns in the McNeil case to date.

Listen to Episode 10:

On Next Week’s Episode: We’ll hear from McNeil’s two cousins who are primarily responsible for many of the questions being raised about his conviction—Chris from California and Grace from Indiana.

WGLT depends on financial support from users to bring you stories and interviews like this one. As someone who values experienced, knowledgeable, and award-winning journalists covering meaningful stories in central Illinois, please consider making a contribution.

Willis is a Bloomington, IL, native. During his senior year at Bloomington High School, he finished third in the "Radio Speaking" division of the state speech contest, the only year he competed.
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