Beyond the Verdict panel examines local murder case

Heartland Community College students and the general public will have an opportunity to examine the details of a high-profile murder case at an event held on the Main Campus of the college.  

Heartland Criminal Justice students present “Beyond the Verdict: Barton McNeil’s Continuing Fight for Justice” at the Astroth Community Education Center (ACEC) Auditorium from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 19. 

The presentation will focus on the case of Bloomington man Barton McNeil, who was convicted of the murder of his 3-year old daughter in 1998. McNeil was denied a new trial in both 2024 and 2025 when he sought to introduce new evidence.  

McNeil has long sought to introduce evidence gathered by the University of Chicago Law School’s Exoneration Project and the Illinois Innocence Project, which implicated his ex-girlfriend, Misook (Nowlin) Wang, in the murder. Wang had been convicted of a separate murder in 2011.

The event will feature two sessions, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m, and from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

This event is free and open to the community. Topics discussed could be traumatic and emotional. Attendee discretion is advised.

The event is organized by Heartland Community College students enrolled in Criminal Justice courses and is funded through Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (LASS) Innovation Grant funds established by Heartland. 

Heartland Community College is located at 1500 W. Raab Road, Normal, IL.