Highland Park Man’s Rape Conviction Thrown Out

 A Highland Park man who was convicted of aggravated criminal sexual assault, home invasion and armed robbery is now entitled to a new trial because an appeals court has ruled he was improperly questioned at his 2011 trial, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Matthew Schaffer, 35, is serving a 30-year-sentence for the crimes. In a unanimous decision, the appeals court said he was improperly asked if he thought police and the victim made up their testimony, the Tribune reports. He said he believed they did.

The victim testified in 2011 that a man broke into the Wheeling condominium she was visiting, handcuffed her and threatened her at knifepoint while he raped her. He then stole her wedding ring, a watch and cash. She couldn't identify the man because he was wearing pantyhose mask over his face, but Schaffer's DNA was found on the shirt she wore the night she was assaulted.

Read the full Tribune story here.

To stay up to date on this and other Highland Park stories, sign up for our free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.