Jane Dorotik spent over two decades fighting for her freedom after being convicted of murdering her husband in 2001. Despite maintaining her innocence, she was serving a sentence of 25 years to life. With the help of Loyola Project for the Innocent, new testing of evidence was done, including blood found in the couple’s bedroom, which revealed inconsistencies and errors in the original investigation. Jane described the last 22 years as torturous and filled with doubt about how to keep going.
Bob and Jane Dorotik had a seemingly serene life before Bob’s murder, with three children and a shared love for horses and running. Bob, an engineer, was found dead off the road near their home, with evidence suggesting a brutal assault in their bedroom. Despite Jane allowing investigators into their home and providing explanations for some of the findings, she was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Her defense hinged on an alternative suspect theory involving their daughter Claire, who was not charged.
During the trial, the prosecution painted a picture of a troubled marriage and financial motive for the murder, with accusations of Jane attacking Bob in their bedroom and staging the crime scene. Witnesses, including their sons, testified against Jane. Ultimately, she was found guilty and sentenced to prison. Jane’s defense argued that the investigation was flawed, leading to an inadequate defense and a wrongful conviction.
Over the years, Jane continued to file motions and push for new testing of evidence, which eventually led to the discovery of foreign DNA on items linked to the crime. Loyola Project for the Innocent took over her case and uncovered critical flaws in the original investigation, prompting the state to concede mistakes in the evidence used against her. Despite this, the DA’s office decided to retry Jane, leading to a contentious legal battle until the case was dismissed in 2022.
After nearly two decades in prison, Jane was released, but the possibility of new charges remains. She is working to rebuild her life and advocates for incarcerated women while seeking justice for herself and her late husband. The case leaves many unanswered questions about what truly happened to Bob Dorotik and the impact of the flawed investigation on Jane’s life and family. Ultimately, Jane’s fight for freedom and justice sheds light on the flaws in the criminal justice system and the need for systemic reform to prevent similar injustices in the future.
