I Am a Former Prosecutor Who Will Fight for Your Rights
Media Coverage
W. Scott Hanken is a Springfield, Illinois criminal defense attorney, former Sangamon County Assistant State’s Attorney, and one of Central Illinois’s most recognized defense lawyers, with media appearances spanning the New York Times, People Magazine, BBC News, Al Jazeera, CBS Chicago, ABC7 Chicago, NPR Illinois, and Investigation Discovery. Over a 37-year career, Hanken has defended clients in capital murder trials, high-profile first-degree murder cases, and nationally covered tragedies — earning a reputation as the go-to defense voice for complex, difficult cases in Sangamon County.
Chronological catalogue of all confirmed media coverage, television interviews, print citations, and streaming appearances for Springfield, Illinois criminal defense attorney W. Scott Hanken — 1999 to 2026.
Hanken has accumulated 37+ years of legal practice, 50+ confirmed media appearances, coverage in 8+ national and international outlets, and a featured episode on Investigation Discovery.
Dale W. Lash / Lori Hayes: Capital Murder Trial (1999–2002)
Hanken co-defended Dale Lash on charges of carjacking, rape, and capital murder of Auburn mother Lori Hayes. Tried by change of venue in Peoria County. Lash received the death sentence. Hanken later filed clemency petitions on Lash’s behalf.
September 8, 1999 — State Journal-Register (Print)
SJ-R first publishes the DNA link connecting Lash to the Hayes murder. The first public mention of what would become a capital murder case with Hanken as defense counsel.
View archived SJ-R article
October 15, 1999 — State Journal-Register (Print)
DNA hearing coverage. Lash denies ever meeting Lori Hayes. Hanken present as defense attorney alongside co-counsel Adam Giganti.
View archived SJ-R article
Late 1999 — State Journal-Register (Print)
In-depth profile linking Lash to at least three sexual assaults in Sangamon County. Defense team Giganti and Hanken navigating early discovery and charging phase.
View archived SJ-R article
2001 — State Journal-Register (Print)
Pre-trial coverage. Defense attorneys Giganti and Hanken subpoena jail records and incident reports about fellow inmate Andy Hooper, who alleged Lash made incriminating statements after a jailhouse fight. Hanken’s tactical defense motions cited directly in the article.
View archived SJ-R article
November 2001 — Quad-City Times (Print)
Trial coverage from the change-of-venue proceeding in Peoria County. Hanken’s discovery motions uncovered disciplinary actions at the Chicago crime lab against a forensic scientist — which the judge ruled admissible for impeachment purposes.
View Quad-City Times article
November 2001 — State Journal-Register (Print)
Peoria County jury convicts Lash on carjacking, rape, and capital murder. Jury imposes the death sentence. Hanken and Giganti immediately signal plans to seek clemency and commutation.
View archived SJ-R sentencing article
2002 — State Journal-Register (Print)
Additional 60-year sentence imposed on the non-murder counts. Hanken explicitly named: his attorneys, Adam Giganti and Scott Hanken of Springfield, are seeking clemency for Lash and commutation to natural life in prison of the death sentence imposed by the Peoria County jury.
View archived SJ-R article
October 4, 2017 — Investigation Discovery (TV / Streaming)
Unusual Suspects: Deadly Intent — “Field of Nightmares” (Season 1, Episode 1). Documentary episode covering the Lori Hayes murder and Dale Lash’s capture. Features the discovery of infant Alexis abandoned in the Jeep, the DNA evidence chain, and the capital trial. Hanken served as defense co-counsel throughout.
Peggy Finley & Peter Cadigan / Earl Moore Jr.: EMS First-Degree Murder Case (2023–Present)
Hanken represents paramedic Peggy Finley, charged with first-degree murder after patient Earl Moore Jr. died of positional asphyxia after being strapped face-down to a stretcher. The case generated national and international coverage. Trial ongoing as of 2026.
Note: State Journal-Register articles (reporter Steven Spearie) are paywalled at sj-r.com but available in full via Yahoo News syndication links below.
January 10, 2023 — Multiple Illinois Outlets (TV / Print / Radio)
State’s Attorney Dan Wright announces first-degree murder charges against Finley and Cadigan. Bodycam footage released publicly. Hanken retained as Finley’s attorney.
January 13, 2023 — New York Times (National Print)
The New York Times covers the Finley/Cadigan case nationally. Hanken quoted in connection with his defense of Finley. One of the most significant national print citations in Hanken’s career.
New York Times (subscription required)
January 13–16, 2023 — CBS Chicago / ABC7 Chicago / NBC Chicago (TV / National)
CBS2 Chicago reporter Charlie De Mar sits down with Hanken. Hanken: “I don’t believe that this involves criminal activity. I don’t think it rises to the level of a crime. I know it’s not first-degree murder. I’ve been practicing law for 33 years, and I’ve never had a case like this.”
January 20, 2023 — State Journal-Register / Yahoo News (Print)
Judge Grischow finds probable cause. Hanken quoted: “It’s an uphill battle at the preliminary hearing stage… I sure as heck don’t think it’s going to survive beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Full article via Yahoo News
January 20, 2023 — ABC7 Chicago (TV)
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump files wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of Moore’s family the same day defendants appear in court via Zoom. Hanken present for Finley.
ABC7 Chicago article
February 7, 2023 — State Journal-Register / Yahoo News (Print)
Judge rejects bond reduction. Hanken called the bond “not mandated, not warranted,” and told Judge Schmidt, “To say she is a flight risk is stretching credulity.”
Full article via Yahoo News
April 6, 2023 — WCIA CBS Springfield (TV)
Judge denies bond reduction again. Hanken quoted: “It just defies logic in my mind to believe that bond in the amount of $600,000 would not insure Ms. Finley’s appearance at all hearings and trials in this matter.”
WCIA article with video
June 17, 2023 — State Journal-Register / Yahoo News (Print)
Fourth District Appellate Court reduces Finley’s bond from $1M to $600,000. Hanken calls it “a game changer” for preparing the defense. Finley released from Sangamon County Jail the same evening.
Full article via Yahoo News
June 20, 2023 — Law & Crime Network (National)
National legal news platform covers Finley’s release following appellate ruling. Hanken quoted; appellate opinion specifically noted that Finley did not physically strap Moore onto the gurney.
Law & Crime article
September 18, 2023 — State Journal-Register / Yahoo News (Print)
Finley and Cadigan in court for SAFE-T Act status hearings. Hanken and co-counsel Mark Wykoff present.
Full article via Yahoo News
November 27, 2023 — WICS / Fox 55 / NewsChannel 20 (TV)
Hanken successfully argues for Finley’s bond exoneration under SAFE-T Act. Quoted: “The only difference being that now there’s no reason or cash and so because of that her bond was exonerated.”
November 28, 2023 — State Journal-Register / Yahoo News (Print)
Reporter Steven Spearie covers Hanken’s successful motion to have Finley’s cash bond returned under the SAFE-T Act framework.
Full article via Yahoo News
December 17, 2023 — State Journal-Register / Yahoo News (Print)
One-year anniversary feature. Hanken quoted extensively: “This case is still a stretch. I stand by what I said before — at worst the state is trying to criminalize malpractice. In saying that, I’m not saying there was malpractice here.”
Full article via Yahoo News
April 23, 2024 — WICS NewsChannel 20 / Fox 55 (TV)
Hanken details gurney evidence: “As it relates to the one expert… that has to do with the gurney and the mechanisms involved in what the state’s alleging is cause of death — so we inspected the gurney, identified it, measured it, took pictures.”
October 29, 2024 — WICS NewsChannel 20 / Fox 55 (TV)
Hanken: “These cases take time. There’s a lot involved. We’re involving expert witnesses, because we’re dealing with a lot of very specific issues that require their input.”
December 2, 2025 — WCIA CBS / Illinois Times (TV / Print)
Judge Schmidt grants both defendants’ motions to sever their trials. Cadigan’s attorney tells the judge “each of the defendants will be pointing the finger at each other.”
Marianne Akers / YNOT After-School Camp Tragedy (2025–2026)
On April 28, 2025, Marianne Akers suffered a seizure while driving and her Jeep crashed through the YNOT after-school camp in Chatham, killing five children. Hanken represented Akers throughout the investigation. No charges were filed. This case generated Hanken’s broadest national and international media exposure.
May 2, 2025 — WICS ABC NewsChannel 20 (TV — Exclusive)
Hanken’s first public statement as Akers’ attorney. Sit-down interview with WICS anchor Dawn Sterling. Hanken: “She was westbound on Walnut when at 3:20, she suffered what has now been diagnosed and confirmed as a seizure of some type of degree. It rendered her completely and utterly incapacitated at the time and as a result of that seizure, she has no recollection of what occurred.” Hanken confirms Akers cooperated fully with law enforcement and signed a release for her medical records.
May 2, 2025 — People Magazine / Yahoo News (National)
Major national pickup of Hanken’s WICS interview. People’s coverage widely redistributed across AP wire syndication. Hanken identified by full name with quotes on the seizure and Akers’ cooperation.
View People Magazine coverage
May–June 2025 — WICS NewsChannel 20 (TV)
Follow-up coverage as ISP investigation transfers to State’s Attorney’s Office. Hanken: “Based upon what I know, I don’t believe there is any basis for any charges. But that’s not my job. I’ll leave that to the state’s attorney’s office.”
June 2, 2025 — WICS NewsChannel 20 (TV)
Hanken discusses Akers’ neurological testing and continued cooperation. She signed a release for ISP to view all medical records, saw a neurologist, and provided her phone for forensic download.
NewsChannel 20 (with video)
June 2025 — BBC News (International)
BBC News covers the crash internationally, establishing global reach of the case Hanken is defending.
BBC News article
June–July 2025 — Al Jazeera English (International)
Al Jazeera’s English-language service runs detailed coverage of the crash, quoting Governor Pritzker and detailing the five child fatalities.
Al Jazeera article
June 2025 — Daily Mail, UK (International)
Senior US News Reporter Natasha Anderson covers the fifth child death — 8-year-old Bradley Lund — as the death toll rises to five.
Daily Mail article
October 2–3, 2025 — Multiple Outlets (No Charges Announced)
State’s Attorney Milhiser announces no charges against Akers. Hanken gives multiple interviews across all Springfield stations in a single day. WCIA: “We knew all things considered that she was not driving recklessly. There’s no victory here. This is a tragic situation.” WICS: “She was relieved from the standpoint that the black cloud, the investigation had, the uncertainty that goes with it, is no longer there.” Fox 55: “Along with the families that suffered here, she has suffered, and she has to live with this every single day.”
October 2025 — State Journal-Register (Print)
Reporter Tom Ackerman documents Milhiser’s no-charge decision with full legal reasoning.
View via syndication
April 2026 — Daily Mail, UK (International)
Second Daily Mail article covers the wrongful death lawsuit filed against Marianne Akers and YNOT approximately one year after the crash.
Daily Mail article
April 28, 2026 — Fox Illinois / NewsChannel 20 (TV — One-Year Anniversary)
Fox Illinois notes: “Marianne Akers has not faced any charges in connection to the crash. According to her attorney, the 44-year-old suffered from a seizure, which caused her to run her car off the road.” Tree-planting ceremony held at St. John’s Children’s Hospital.
Fox Illinois one-year anniversary
Legal Expert Appearances — DUI, Criminal Law & Policy (2019–2025)
Hanken has been regularly featured by WICS and Fox 55 as a local legal expert on DUI law, cannabis policy, criminal justice reform, and the SAFE-T Act.
December 2019 — WICS / Fox 55 (TV)
Charges you could face for smoking cannabis around kids. Hanken appears as Illinois “Weed Lawyer.” Quoted: “You cannot knowingly use in close proximity around anyone under 21 years of age.”
NewsChannel 20
2022 — Fox 55 / WRSP (TV)
Possible impacts on legal cases after Springfield officer resigns over racist posts. Hanken on Fifth Amendment implications: “If they had counsel to assert their fifth amendment privilege, that makes it very hard for the state to meet their burden.”
Fox Illinois
October 2023 — WICS / Fox 55 (TV)
Inmates seek case reviews under new no-cash bail law. Hanken explains SAFE-T Act transition risks: once a defendant elects a hearing under the new system, they may not be able to revert to cash bail.
September 2024 — WICS / Fox 55 (TV)
Illinois Pretrial Fairness Act one year later. Hanken notes “a definite uptick in failures to appear” under the no-cash-bail system and calls for legislative tweaks alongside the State’s Attorney.
December 2024 — WICS / Fox 55 (TV)
Law enforcement officials share penalties of drunk driving. Hanken explains DUI financial penalties including mandatory counseling ($300–$4,000+), a 51% increase in car insurance rates, and lifetime driving record impact.
Compiled June 2026. 50+ confirmed media citations. Sources: State Journal-Register, Illinois Times, New York Times, Daily Mail, BBC, Al Jazeera, WICS, WCIA, Fox 55, WAND, Investigation Discovery, NPR Illinois, CBS Chicago, ABC7 Chicago.
W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law 📍 1100 S 5th St, Springfield, IL 62703 | ☎ (217) 544-4057 | 🌐 hankenlaw.com
Address
Our offices are located at the corner of South Fifth Street and Vine, in the historic Mary Bryant Home for the Blind.