Overview

• Wyndham Lathem, a former Northwestern University microbiologist, was convicted in 2021 for the 2017 stabbing death of his boyfriend, Trenton Cornell-Duranleau.
• An Illinois appeals court unanimously overturned the conviction, citing a violation of Lathem's right to consult with his attorney during an overnight trial recess.
• Lathem had been sentenced to 53 years in prison, with prosecutors presenting evidence of a premeditated murder involving Lathem and co-defendant Andrew Warren.
• The appellate court emphasized that restrictions on attorney-client communication should only occur under 'exigent and unusual circumstances,' which were not present in this case.
• Prosecutors are reviewing the ruling, while Lathem's defense team has expressed readiness for a retrial, where Lathem may again testify in his own defense.