An innocent Detroit man, who spent 25 years in prison for a murder he didnt commit, was awarded $1 million this week. According to the Associated Press, a state program that compensates wrongly convicted people approved him for the payout, however he believes he deserves more.
Back in 1992, Desmond Ricks was convicted of murdering a man after a testimony from Detroit police. Officers said the bullets found in Mr. Rickss alleged weapon were the same bullets found in the body, but that was all a lie. In June 2017, the Innocence Clinic at University of Michigan law school helped prove that the police switched the bullets.
This is as bad a frame job as anything I have ever seen by police, his attorney Wolf Mueller said. Since the officers cannot be put in prison, this is the only way to begin to right a horrific misconduct and the harm to our criminal justice system.
As far as his settlement, Ricks wants an additional $216,000, and hes also suing the officers in the case for $125 million. (Theres) like a 26-year-old person inside of me that wants to get out, but he cant come out, you know? Hes 51 now, he told reporters. So I have to battle I have to do certain things that 51-year-old men do, and I cant do certain things that 26-year-old men do. Im like a new child; I just want to go and see and do, but I have to keep things in moderation.
Despite the circumstances, Ricks said hes not bitter. Because I have to understand that being bitter and angry is now going to get me anywhere. You know, who wants to be around a bitter, angry old man? No, no one wants to be around that; thats not fun, he said. I cant take that around my children and grandchildren, I dont even know them. Im trying to build a relationship with them; Im not trying to alienate myself from them.
Roommates, how much money do you think he deserves?
TSR STAFF: Myeisha E.! @myeisha.essex
