Charges Dropped In Cop-Shooting Case

By Margaret Lyons in News on Sep 10, 2008 7:45PM

Cook County prosecutors have dropped all charges against Jason Austin, the 26-year-old man who had been charged in the murders of police officer Robert Soto and social worker Kathryn Romberg. According to reports, the prosecution's case began unraveling when witnesses recanted their initial testimony, and evidence emerged that Austin's maroon car—which had allegedly placed him at the scene of the crime—was actually at a body shop at the time of the shootings.

Police Superintendent Jody Weis and Cook County State's Attorney Dick Devine released a statement saying the investigation is still "vigorously going forward." [WBBM, Trib, S-T]