Unreal twist to an already terrible tale

CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) -- A man who spent 12 years in prison for murder before new DNA testing exonerated him last year was killed in a hit-and-run as he walked on the city's South Side.

The vehicle sped away after hitting Dan Young Jr., 45, Wednesday night, police said. He was pronounced dead Thursday, the Cook County medical examiner's office said.

Young had been released from prison in January 2005 after new testing on DNA evidence failed to link him and another man to the 1990 murder and sexual assault of Kathy Morgan, 39, whose body had been found in a South Side building after a fire.

"He always wanted to talk about his new life and what he would do once he got his clemency money," his attorney, Kathleen Zellner, said after learning of Young's death. "He wanted to know if I would help him get a red brick house."

"He certainly didn't deserve any of this," she said.

Young had a lawsuit pending against the city and Cook County officials alleging false imprisonment and malicious prosecution. Officials have denied the allegations.

Chicago police said the hit-and-run was under investigation. No arrests had been made in the case Friday morning, police spokeswoman Laura Kubiak said.