FILE - This undated photo provided by the Illinois Department of Corrections shows Thomas Kokoraleis. The convicted murderer who is suspected of being a member of the notorious "Ripper Crew" that brutally killed as many as 20 women in the 1980s is scheduled to be released on Friday, March 29, 2019. Kokoraleis was initially sentenced to life in prison for the 1982 slaying of 21-year-old Lorry Ann Borowski. But after his appeal request was granted, prosecutors allowed him to plead guilty in exchange for serving half of his 70-year prison term.(Illinois Department of Corrections via AP, File)
March 29, 2019 - 3:07 PM
CANTON, Ill. - The Latest on the release of Thomas Kokoraleis, who was convicted in a 1982 killing and is a reputed member of Chicago's murderous "Ripper Crew":
5:05 p.m.
Relatives of a Chicago woman killed by a reputed member of the notorious "Ripper Crew" gang say they will be looking over their shoulders for years now that he has been released from prison.
Thomas Kokoraleis killed 21-year-old Lorry Ann Borowski in 1982 and was freed Friday after serving 35 years.
Holding a photo of her daughter, Lorraine Borowski tearfully told reporters that Kokoraleis didn't receive the justice he deserved, but that she has no doubt God "will deliver the final judgment."
Kokoraleis was initially sentenced to life in prison, but prosecutors allowed him to plead guilty on appeal in exchange for a 70-year prison term. The plea deal allowed for his release this week.
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7:50 a.m.
Authorities say a man convicted of murder as a suspected member of the notorious "Ripper Crew" that killed as many as 20 Chicago-area women in the 1980s has been released from prison.
An alert from Illinois' victim notification system was issued Friday saying 58-year-old Thomas Kokoraleis had been discharged from the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Kokoraleis was initially sentenced to life in prison for the 1982 slaying of 21-year-old Lorraine "Lorry" Ann Borowski.
But prosecutors allowed him to plead guilty on appeal in exchange for a 70-year prison term. The deal allowed for his release this week.
Relatives of some victims were infuriated in 2017 when they learned of Kokoraleis' expected release and delayed his initial parole date.
Records show Kokoraleis was held at the Illinois River Correctional Center in Canton, about 30 miles (48 kilometres) west of Peoria.
News from © The Associated Press, 2019