Law students at the Innocence Clinic of the University of Michigan law school have recently taken on an unusual case involving the theft of 12 beers from a suburban Detroit restaurant. The clinic is advocating for the misdemeanor conviction of Richard Leach to be thrown out, as they believe they have obtained a confession from the actual culprit. Leach had served 90 days in jail in 2019 for the crime.
The Oakland County prosecutor’s office, after reviewing the new evidence, also supports the erasure of Leach’s conviction from his record. However, the case was originally handled by an attorney for the village of Lake Orion, rather than the county. When approached for comment, village prosecutor Tracy Gaudenzi stated that discussing the case in the press would be inappropriate and irresponsible, emphasizing that the courtroom is the proper venue for such matters.
According to a court filing by the Innocence Clinic, Leach was primarily convicted based on the testimony of a police officer who claimed to have recognized him on security footage, taking two packs of beer from a restaurant cooler in 2018. Leach, who is 54 years old, believes that the police misidentified him based on his hat. The clinic has revealed that another individual with a criminal record has signed an affidavit confessing to the theft of the beer.
David Moran, co-director of the Innocence Clinic, expressed concerns about the prevalence of wrongful convictions, especially in misdemeanor cases. He believes that such cases are often overlooked compared to felony cases but are equally susceptible to errors and unjust outcomes.
This case highlights the importance of the work done by the Innocence Clinic and their commitment to seeking justice for individuals who may have been wrongfully convicted. As they continue to fight for Richard Leach’s exoneration, their efforts shed light on the need for comprehensive and fair evaluations of all convictions, regardless of the severity of the crime.
The University of Michigan has recently established a new institute to combat antisemitism and promote religious inclusion, further exemplifying their dedication to addressing systemic issues and ensuring justice for all.
