Freed after wrongful conviction that cost him lawful resident status, man now held by immigration authorities

CHICAGO - In the two decades since Ricardo Rodriguez was convicted of murder, he has maintained his innocence.

This week, the Cook County state's attorney agreed to drop the case against him amid allegations that a discredited police detective manipulated witnesses.

But instead of walking out of prison a free man Wednesday, Rodriguez was taken into custody by federal immigration authorities, adding a new and tragic twist to his story.

Before he was sent to prison for a 1995 murder, Rodriguez was a lawful