Detroit man sentenced to life in prison, released after 22 years

LaVone Hill walked out of a Muskegon prison Wednesday, 22 years after he was sent there for a double murder in Detroit that he did not commit.

Hill’s lawyers at the University of Michigan Innocence Clinic call his case, which involved both police and prosecutorial misconduct, one of the most egregious they have ever seen. Hill was the 44th wrongfully convicted person freed from prison by the Innocence Clinic.

Hill was convicted of killing two people after a dice game in Detroit in 2001. His conviction was based on the testimony of a man who recanted it in court. But Detroit Police Sergeant Walter Bates had coerced this man’s testimony, and he testified against Hill, who was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.

The Innocence Clinic said Bates, a chronic gambler, not only coerced the statement but also that he was being investigated for involvement in a series of bank robberies.

“He was actually suspended from police duty” when Hill’s case was being heard. “The charges against him were pending,” Hill said. But: “This evidence was not handed over to my lawyer.”

Hill said he believes Bates targeted him because of a scheme. At the time of the murders, Hill was dealing drugs, and he said Detroit police officers, including Bates, often targeted drug dealers for extortion and to “deal drugs for them.” But Hill said he declined.

“For lack of a better word, people in the neighborhood got in bed with these cops,” Hill said. “You weren’t alone. They followed this plan. Personally, I never took part in it.”

Hill, speaking to Michigan Public shortly after eating his first meal outside of a prison in more than 20 years on Wednesday, said he now feels a sense of vindication and is “looking forward to living a good life.” But he said he didn’t realize the full weight of his wrongful imprisonment until he knew he would be released.

“I never accepted that I would die in prison,” Hill said. “But I never knew that there was something inside me that was draining me, that was draining me, that was really killing me from the inside out.

“When I found out I was released from prison and all charges were dismissed… I felt like a new man.”

Additional evidence led the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office Conviction Integrity Unit to push for and ultimately secure the overturn of Hill’s convictions, said Jenna Cobb, director of the Innocence Clinic.

This evidence includes: Two independent witnesses who were present the night of the shooting swore that Hill was not even present at the dice game where the shooting occurred, and new ballistics evidence suggested that in the murders a high-powered rifle was used instead of a handgun, as stated in the previous witness’ recanted false statement. In addition, the son of one of the victims of this crime – who does not know Hill – said that another man had confessed to killing his father.

“You can’t really look at the evidence in this case and come to a reasonable conclusion about anything other than Mr. Hill’s innocence,” Cobb said.

“This is a remarkable case involving a recanting witness, extreme cases of witness coercion by police, other witnesses who later confirmed that Mr. Hill was not present the night of the shooting, and an apology from the real perpetrator.” Although Mr. Hill the Many years he lost in prison will never be recovered, today we join Mr. Hill in celebrating his release and looking forward to the impact he will make outside the prison walls.”

Hill said his experience has led him to develop a passion for criminal and constitutional law and he now wants to dedicate his time to helping others who are wronged by the criminal justice system.

“I want to start some sort of organization to give back to my children of incarcerated parents, but also to be able to go back into prisons and help the wrongfully convicted,” Hill said.

“I want to be something in between [them]because that is exactly what is missing. You know, all these years I’ve just walked around, and if there was someone there who was in my shoes who would come out and reach back and say to these guys, “I noticed what you’re up to.” I’ll help you with that. ‘ That would relieve me. Based on my personal experience, I will use this as part of my passion to give back,” Hill said.