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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 14: Season Finale and What's Next

Cindy Le
/
WGLT
Suspect Convictions hosts Willis Kern, right, and 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.

This week marks the final episode of Season 2 of Suspect Convictions.

Bart McNeil
Credit David Proeber / The Pantagraph (Pool)
/
The Pantagraph (Pool)
Barton McNeil, seen here during a McLean County court appearance, is imprisoned at Menard Correctional Center in southern Illinois.

Hosts Willis Kern and Scott Reeder recap what they’ve discovered over the first 13 episodes covering Barton McNeil’s conviction. And they look ahead at what’s next for the Illinois Innocence Project, which is expected to file motions seeking a new trial for McNeil in the coming months.

You can revisit past episode recaps on WGLT.org:

GLT and the Suspect Convictions podcast will continue to monitor the case and any developments. If there any developments, expect new episodes of the podcast.
“We’re going to have some pretty interesting court appearances coming up in McLean County,” said Reeder.

Listen to Episode 14:

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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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