A man who was accused of breaking into a home and sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in southwestern Michigan has been released from prison after 35 years, following the revelation of new DNA evidence that proved his innocence. Louis Wright’s convictions from 1988 were overturned by a judge on Thursday, after the Calhoun County prosecutor and the attorney general’s office agreed that he was wrongly convicted. The attorney general’s office stated, “New DNA testing excluded Mr. Wright as the perpetrator.”
Represented by the Cooley Law School Innocence Project, Louis Wright’s case was based on a false confession and a no-contest plea, which led to his decades-long incarceration. In 1988, police identified Wright as the suspect in the assault of a girl in Albion, 100 miles west of Detroit, after an off-duty officer claimed to have seen him in the neighborhood. However, Wright’s confession was not recorded, and he did not sign a confession, according to the Innocence Project.
Throughout his trial, the victim was never asked to identify anyone, either in or outside of court, as confirmed by the Innocence Project. Despite maintaining his innocence, Wright eventually pleaded no-contest to the charges and was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison. His subsequent attempts to withdraw his plea were denied.
The Innocence Project, in a written statement, emphasized that “Mr. Wright has always maintained his innocence.” The case is now being reopened by prosecutor David Gilbert, who stated, “There is no justice without truth. It applies to everyone.”
With his wrongful conviction overturned, Wright may be eligible for $1.75 million under a state law that grants $50,000 for each year spent in prison for a conviction overturned based on new evidence.
This case highlights the importance of DNA evidence and the potential for wrongful convictions. It raises questions about the reliability of confessions and the need for proper documentation during police interviews. As Louis Wright begins to rebuild his life after 35 years behind bars, his case serves as a stark reminder of the flaws in the criminal justice system and the long-lasting impact of wrongful convictions.
