“Complete and Utter Failure of the Criminal Justice System.” Michigan Radio
Davontae Sanford was 14 years old when he confessed to a quadruple murder after a police interrogation that lasted two days. His parents were not contacted. He attempted to recant, but was convicted and sent to prison. It didn’t help that he had a do-nothing, incompetent defense attorney. (In my experience, bad defense attorneys are responsible for as many wrongful convictions as anything else.)
Eight years ago the real killer not only confessed, and said Davontae had nothing to do with it, but he also led police to the gun that was confirmed to be the murder weapon.
Finally, after eight years, the state of Michigan has overturned his conviction, and he has been released from prison.
See the CNN story here.
What the hell happened (or didn’t happen) here?! We have yet to hear an explanation from the state of Michigan. I can only sit here slack-jawed, shaking my head in disbelief.
Furthermore, I’ll make a prediction. We’ll hear some kind of non-specific boilerplate excuses from authorities, but nothing substantive or fundamental will change in the system as a result of this. A few people may get a “wrist slap,” but then the whole thing will sink into the murky political-bureaucratic swamp and disappear.
Wrongful Convictions Blog 
Great article, sad for this kid , best years of his life ruined And people want faster death for those on death row, wow !
thanks for sharing.
Phil, Thanks for writing about Davontae. I worked on the years-long campaign to free Davontae, writing, signing petitions, but much credit should go to Wobbly Warrior blog who got me involved and grew greater public awareness. Congratulations Michigan Innocence Clinic! You had a great couple of weeks with freeing Lorinda Swain and now Davontae Sanford.