After years together, wrongfully convicted defendant's children part ways

           Joel and Armando Serrano Jr. have shared many days in court the past 20 years - years of watching their father fight to prove his innocence for a murder he claims he never committed. But, for the first time in their long ordeal, the two brothers have set out on different paths.

            After dropping out of university and pursuing odd jobs to make ends meet, the younger of the two boys, Joel Serrano, left Chicago for basic training in the U.S. Army two weeks ago; leaving his brother's side for the first time.

            Armando Serrano is learning to cope with that as he adjusts to his brother absence.

“Of course, you know, it was hard for the first few days,” he said.

Until two weeks ago, Armando Serrano let his brother into the house late at night after partying, went out to eat together with mutual friends and supported one other through the tribulations of their father’s alleged wrongful imprisonment, he said.

            When they were younger, the boys would sometimes spend the week at different family members' houses but saw each other during the weekend, he said. They have never been separated for this long.

            Since Joel Serrano left, his brother has not been in touch with him.

“I try not to think about it too much cause it makes it even harder,” he said.

            Joel Serrano will be on leave from basic training for two weeks during Christmas and New Year’s Eve, said the boy’s aunt, Maria Serrano, who spoke to him recently.

            During his brother’s holiday break, Armando was hoping to gather some of their mutual friends to throw him a surprise party, he said.

            Despite his brother's absence, Armando Serrano looks on the bright side - including weekly phone calls from his father, in prison.

            “Now that Joel is gone, that means now I have more time to talk to him,” he laughed.