Teen coerced into confession. Cops tried to cover it up.

Is it possible that this Is it possible that this skinny 14-year-old skinny 14-year-old skinny 14-year-old killed killed killed four people? He four people? He four people? He admitted it. admitted it. admitted it. I started shooting at them I started shooting at them I started shooting at them . . . With my With my With my boys, right? boys, right? boys, right? But here's the But here's the But here's the problem. This guy problem. This guy problem. This guy too. Did too. Did too. Did you hit anyone you hit anyone you hit anyone there? there? there? Yes. Yes. Yes. Uh, man or woman? Uh, man or woman? Uh, man or woman? One? One? One? Um, three guys, and I Um, three guys, and I Um, three guys, and I think it was three think it was three think it was three men and one men and one men and one woman. It woman. It woman. It 's rare for the police to 's rare for the police to 's rare for the police to get even a single get even a single get even a single confession in such a confession in such a confession in such a horrific crime. horrific crime. horrific crime. But two But two But two people came, and both people came, and both people came, and both declared that they were declared that they were declared that they were murderers. murderers. murderers. And how many times did you And how many times did you And how many times did you fire your fire your fire your weapon? What did you weapon? What did you weapon? What did you use here? use here? use here? AK-47. AK-47. AK-47. And here's the other big And here's the other big And here's the other big question in this case question in this case question in this case about the conflicting about the conflicting about the conflicting confessions to the murder. confessions to the murder. confessions to the murder. Did they put the Did they put the Did they put the right right right person in prison? person in prison? person in prison? How could this even How could this even How could this even happen? happen? happen? I was a I was a I was a crime crime crime reporter in reporter in reporter in Detroit for ten years, and I can Detroit for ten years, and I can Detroit for ten years, and I can tell you that tell you that tell you that shootings on the east shootings on the east shootings on the east side of the city are not that side of the city are not that side of the city are not that uncommon. uncommon. uncommon. But four young But four young But four young people shot with an people shot with an people shot with an AK-47 is a AK-47 is a AK-47 is a big story. big story. big story. Quadruple murders Quadruple murders Quadruple murders are rare. This is a are rare. This is a are rare. This is a very serious very serious very serious crime. crime. crime. The murders of three The murders of three The murders of three men and one men and one men and one woman became known woman became known woman became known as the Runyon as the Runyon Street murders. Detroit Street murders. Detroit Street murders. Detroit police initially police initially police initially believed it was a believed it was a believed it was a robbery robbery robbery gone horribly wrong.

gone horribly wrong. gone horribly wrong. It was in the headlines It was in the headlines It was in the headlines , in the press, and I , in the press, and I , in the press, and I think the police think the police think the police felt a lot of felt a lot of felt a lot of pressure to solve the pressure to solve the pressure to solve the case, and solve it case, and solve it case, and solve it quickly. The quickly. The quickly. The most shocking most shocking most shocking headline was headline was headline was who who who Detroit police said Detroit police said Detroit police said pulled the trigger. A 14- pulled the trigger. A 14- year-old, nearly blind year-old, nearly blind year-old, nearly blind teenager from a teenager from a teenager from a reform school, reform school, reform school, wandering around the neighborhood in his wandering around the neighborhood in his wandering around the neighborhood in his pajamas. pajamas. pajamas. The police convinced The police convinced The police convinced themselves that the guy themselves that the guy themselves that the guy somehow knew something about somehow knew something about somehow knew something about this crime, and—bingo, this crime, and—bingo, this crime, and—bingo, the case was closed, without the case was closed, without the case was closed, without further ado. further ado. further ado. Devonte Devonte Devonte Sanford, 14, saw Sanford, 14, saw Sanford, 14, saw police lights and police lights and police lights and yellow tape near a yellow tape near a yellow tape near a neighbor's house. neighbor's house. neighbor's house. His mom, Taminko, His mom, Taminko, His mom, Taminko, tells our tells our tells our Andrea Aizem that he Andrea Aizem that he Andrea Aizem that he just wanted just wanted just wanted to see what was to see what was to see what was going on. going on. going on. You said not to go. He You said not to go. He You said not to go. He left. And then left. And then left. And then the nightmare began. In the nightmare began. In the nightmare began. In fact, going fact, going fact, going outside cost him his outside cost him his outside cost him his life. It cost him, life. It cost him, life. It cost him, going outside going outside going outside cost him his youth. cost him his youth. It cost him his It cost him his innocence. It cost innocence. It cost innocence. It cost him just him just him just because he because he because he went outside. went outside. went outside. Police first Police first Police first spotted Devonte spotted Devonte spotted Devonte after a after a after a police dog police dog police dog searching for evidence searching for evidence searching for evidence approached Devonte in a approached Devonte in a approached Devonte in a park near the park near the park near the crime scene. The police crime scene. The police crime scene. The police asked the trembling asked the trembling asked the trembling 14-year-old if 14-year-old if 14-year-old if he had seen anything.

he had seen anything. he had seen anything. At first, he said he At first, he said he At first, he said he knew something about the knew something about the knew something about the killers and named killers and named killers and named several teenagers from the several teenagers from the several teenagers from the area who he area who he area who he thought might be thought might be thought might be involved. involved. involved. Attorney David Moran Attorney David Moran Attorney David Moran says that around 4:00 says that around 4:00 says that around 4:00 a.m., police a.m., police a.m., police asked asked asked Devonte's grandmother for permission Devonte's grandmother for permission Devonte's grandmother for permission to take him to to take him to to take him to the station to the station to the station to answer answer answer additional questions. additional questions. additional questions. She gives permission for She gives permission for She gives permission for the teenager to go alone. the teenager to go alone. For For reasons I don't understand, the police reasons I don't understand, the police reasons I don't understand, the police decided he was decided he was decided he was involved in the involved in the involved in the murder and questioned murder and questioned murder and questioned him that evening without any him that evening without any him that evening without any adults present adults present . . The police decided not to videotape Devonte's first interrogation. videotape Devonte's first interrogation. Tell us what Tell us what Tell us what these interrogations were like for him. these interrogations were like for him. these interrogations were like for him. For a 14-year-old boy For a 14-year-old boy For a 14-year-old boy left left left alone without alone without alone without adults, it must have adults, it must have adults, it must have been terrifying. been terrifying. been terrifying. They eventually They eventually They eventually took Devonte took Devonte took Devonte home, but returned later home, but returned later home, but returned later that evening that evening that evening to to to pick up pick up pick up the teenager again for questioning. the teenager again for questioning. the teenager again for questioning. They said, “No, no, They said, “No, no, They said, “No, no, we know you know we know you know we know you know more about this than more about this than more about this than you’re saying. "We think you’re saying. "We think you’re saying. "We think you were involved." And you were involved." And you were involved." And so he tells them what so he tells them what so he tells them what they want to hear they want to hear . And he tells them . And he tells them . And he tells them this story, which is this story, which is this story, which is just nonsense. just nonsense. just nonsense. According to According to According to police police police reports, after reports, after reports, after several hours of several hours of several hours of pressure, Devonte tells pressure, Devonte tells pressure, Devonte tells them that he and three them that he and three them that he and three friends went to friends went to friends went to rob a house and rob a house and rob a house and ended up shooting ended up shooting ended up shooting four people four people four people inside.

inside. inside. He said they He said they He said they dumped the weapons in a dumped the weapons in a dumped the weapons in a grassy area as they grassy area as they grassy area as they fled the fled the fled the murder scene, but no murder scene, but no murder scene, but no weapons were found there. weapons were found there. weapons were found there. So everything was wrong. So everything was wrong. So everything was wrong. Everything was wrong, which is a Everything was wrong, which is a Everything was wrong, which is a sure sign that sure sign that sure sign that they were on the wrong they were on the wrong they were on the wrong path. path. path. But the final But the final But the final argument against argument against argument against Devonte was what Devonte was what Devonte was what the detective said: the detective said: the detective said: Devonte drew Devonte drew Devonte drew a diagram of the murder scene a diagram of the murder scene a diagram of the murder scene and marked exactly where and marked exactly where each victim was shot. Now each victim was shot. Now look carefully. This is look carefully. This is look carefully. This is a drawing made by a detective a drawing made by a detective a drawing made by a detective at a at a at a crime scene. Nearby, you can crime scene. Nearby, you can crime scene. Nearby, you can see that see that see that the arrangement of the bodies is the arrangement of the bodies is the arrangement of the bodies is almost identical. This almost identical. This almost identical. This information, according to information, according to information, according to the police, could the police, could the police, could only have been known by the killer. only have been known by the killer. only have been known by the killer. The police will relentlessly, The police will relentlessly, The police will relentlessly, hour after hour, hour after hour, hour after hour, tell the person: " tell the person: " We know you We know you We know you did it." We know did it." We know did it." We know you're not saying that. "You are you're not saying that. "You are you're not saying that. "You are not telling the truth." not telling the truth." not telling the truth." until they are finally until they are finally until they are finally forced forced forced to speak. And then to speak. And then to speak. And then when they get them when they get them when they get them to talk, they to talk, they to talk, they turn on the camera. turn on the camera. turn on the camera. As soon as we got out of the As soon as we got out of the As soon as we got out of the car, we ran out into the car, we ran out into the car, we ran out into the yard and started yard and started yard and started shooting at the house. shooting at the house. shooting at the house. Everyone fired Everyone fired Everyone fired their weapons at the their weapons at the their weapons at the house from outside. We house from outside. We house from outside. We all ran to the porch all ran to the porch all ran to the porch and went inside. and went inside. and went inside. And is this true?

And is this true? This is the back of Devonte's head. This is the back of Devonte's head. He is only 14, so He is only 14, so He is only 14, so the police are not showing the police are not showing the police are not showing his face. his face. his face. And I started shooting at And I started shooting at And I started shooting at them with my machine gun them with my machine gun . . Good. Is that correct? Good. Is that correct? Yes. Yes. Yes. Remember, the teenager Remember, the teenager was reported to was reported to was reported to only be able to read at a only be able to read at a only be able to read at a third-grade level. third-grade level. third-grade level. Therefore, the detective Therefore, the detective Therefore, the detective asks simple asks simple asks simple questions that questions that questions that can be answered with " can be answered with " yes" or "no." yes" or "no." yes" or "no." How many times have you How many times have you How many times have you fired your fired your fired your gun? I'm not sure, gun? I'm not sure, gun? I'm not sure, but I'd say about but I'd say about but I'd say about 9-10 times. 9-10 times. 9-10 times. Is that correct? Is that correct? Is that correct? Yes. Yes. Yes. Did anyone threaten Did anyone threaten Did anyone threaten you or promise you anything you or promise you anything you or promise you anything in return for your testimony? And in return for your testimony? And in return for your testimony? And your answer was? your answer was? your answer was? No. No. No. And they get what And they get what And they get what looks like a looks like a looks like a convincing confession convincing confession . . . After 24 hours, After 24 hours, After 24 hours, Detroit police Detroit police Detroit police close the close the close the Runyon Runyon Street murders. They caught Street murders. They caught Street murders. They caught their killer. their killer. their killer. With this confession, and it With this confession, and it With this confession, and it seems that with seems that with seems that with this confession alone, this confession alone, this confession alone, Devonte Sanford was Devonte Sanford was Devonte Sanford was convicted of convicted of convicted of murdering four murdering four murdering four people. He was sentenced people. He was sentenced people. He was sentenced to a term of 37 to 90 to a term of 37 to 90 to a term of 37 to 90 years in prison. years in prison. years in prison. His family was in His family was in His family was in shock. shock. When you heard about When you heard about the sentence and then the 90 the sentence and then the 90 the sentence and then the 90 years, did it take your years, did it take your years, did it take your brother away from you?

brother away from you? Yes. Uh-huh. I was in the Yes. Uh-huh. I was in the courthouse hallway courthouse hallway courthouse hallway , I remember just , I remember just , I remember just screaming and screaming and screaming and wailing. wailing. But less than a But less than a month later, a month later, a month later, a bombshell exploded that was supposed to bombshell exploded that was supposed to bombshell exploded that was supposed to unravel this closed unravel this closed unravel this closed case. A case. A case. A hitman, 25-year-old hitman, 25-year-old hitman, 25-year-old Vincent Smulders, Vincent Smulders, Vincent Smulders, tells Detroit tells Detroit tells Detroit cops that he cops that he cops that he carried out a series of carried out a series of carried out a series of murders. murders. murders. He says, "Listen, He says, "Listen, He says, "Listen, you caught me." "I am a you caught me." "I am a you caught me." "I am a hired killer." He hired killer." He hired killer." He said, "Turn on said, "Turn on said, "Turn on the cameras and I'll tell the cameras and I'll tell the cameras and I'll tell you about all the murders you about all the murders you about all the murders I committed." Did I committed." Did I committed." Did you kill someone there? you kill someone there? you kill someone there? Uh, I'm sure I Uh, I'm sure I Uh, I'm sure I killed three guys. killed three guys. killed three guys. What about the woman? What about the woman? What about the woman? I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. What did you use there What did you use there ? ? ? AK-47. AK-47. AK-47. But the detectives But the detectives But the detectives didn't expect this. didn't expect this. didn't expect this. It's in Runyon, on It's in Runyon, on It's in Runyon, on Runyon Street. Runyon Street. Runyon Street. He begins to describe on tape He begins to describe on tape , on video, in , on video, in , on video, in vivid, vivid, vivid, extremely accurate extremely accurate extremely accurate detail the 12 detail the 12 detail the 12 murders he murders he murders he committed, including the committed, including the committed, including the four on Runyon four on Runyon Street. Street.

14-year-old Devonte 14-year-old Devonte Sanford was in a Sanford was in a Sanford was in a maximum maximum maximum security prison, facing the security prison, facing the security prison, facing the possibility of spending possibility of spending possibility of spending 90 years behind bars. 90 years behind bars. Convicted as an Convicted as an adult for a gruesome adult for a gruesome adult for a gruesome quadruple murder, to quadruple murder, to quadruple murder, to which which which Detroit police say he Detroit police say he Detroit police say he voluntarily confessed voluntarily confessed . . . Why are you telling Why are you telling Why are you telling me about the me about the me about the Runyon shooting? Runyon shooting? Runyon shooting? Because it was Because it was Because it was bothering me, and my bothering me, and my bothering me, and my mother told me to mother told me to mother told me to tell you the truth. tell you the truth. tell you the truth. You would take his You would take his You would take his place if it were place if it were place if it were possible. possible. possible. Yes. Yes. I felt like I had Yes. Yes. I felt like I had Yes. Yes. I felt like I had failed him as a failed him as a failed him as a mother because I mother because I mother because I couldn't help couldn't help couldn't help him. him. Taminko Sanford says she Taminko Sanford says she never believed for a minute never believed for a minute never believed for a minute that her that her that her little boy little boy little boy was capable of killing someone. was capable of killing someone. was capable of killing someone. If you had to If you had to If you had to describe him to people describe him to people describe him to people who don't know him, who don't know him, who don't know him, what words would you what words would you what words would you use? use? use? He has a heart of gold. He has a heart of gold. He has a heart of gold. He is everything a mother He is everything a mother He is everything a mother wants her wants her wants her son to be. son to be. son to be. Yet, Yet, Yet, Devonte's first attorney, Devonte's first attorney, Devonte's first attorney, Robert Slemmerka, whose Robert Slemmerka, whose Robert Slemmerka, whose license to practice law license to practice law license to practice law was was was suspended, suspended, suspended, somehow convinced somehow convinced somehow convinced Taminko that pleading Taminko that pleading Taminko that pleading guilty to the murders guilty to the murders was her son's only hope of was her son's only hope of was her son's only hope of ever ever ever getting out of prison.

getting out of prison. getting out of prison. Slemmerka tells Slemmerka tells Slemmerka tells the family that the case is the family that the case is the family that the case is hopeless and that he hopeless and that he hopeless and that he must accept a must accept a plea deal. So the family plea deal. So the family began to pressure began to pressure began to pressure Devonte to Devonte to Devonte to accept the deal. accept the deal. accept the deal. I was advised and I was advised and I was advised and someone we someone we someone we trusted told me to trusted told me to trusted told me to do it. And we do it. And we do it. And we did it. did it. And then, just And then, just weeks after weeks after weeks after entering into a entering into a entering into a plea deal, plea deal, plea deal, Devonte makes Devonte makes Devonte makes another shocking another shocking another shocking confession, telling everyone confession, telling everyone that he is not the killer. He that he is not the killer. He that he is not the killer. He made all this up. made all this up. made all this up. Why did he tell this Why did he tell this Why did he tell this story? story? story? Well, most people Well, most people Well, most people can't believe can't believe can't believe that someone would falsely that someone would falsely that someone would falsely confess to confess to confess to serious crimes, serious crimes, serious crimes, but in fact, we but in fact, we but in fact, we know that it know that it know that it happens all the time happens all the time . And some are much more . And some are much more . And some are much more vulnerable to this vulnerable to this vulnerable to this than others, especially the than others, especially the than others, especially the mentally ill, the mentally ill, the mentally ill, the intoxicated, and especially the intoxicated, and especially the intoxicated, and especially the young. young. Devonte's current attorney, David Moran, Devonte's current attorney, David Moran, believes the teenager's limited believes the teenager's limited learning abilities made learning abilities made him an easy target him an easy target him an easy target for several for several for several corrupt corrupt corrupt Detroit cops Detroit cops Detroit cops who were desperate to who were desperate to who were desperate to close the close the close the high-profile case. high-profile case. high-profile case. So it's not like So it's not like So it's not like he comes in and he comes in and he comes in and says, "Hey, I'm going to says, "Hey, I'm going to says, "Hey, I'm going to make up this fake make up this fake make up this fake story." It's the police story." It's the police story." It's the police tirelessly, hour after tirelessly, hour after tirelessly, hour after hour, telling the person, hour, telling the person, hour, telling the person, "We know you "We know you "We know you did it." "We know did it." "We know did it." "We know you're not saying that."

you're not saying that." you're not saying that." "You are not telling the truth." "You are not telling the truth." "You are not telling the truth." It seemed that the man It seemed that the man It seemed that the man and woman on the floor and woman on the floor and woman on the floor were already dead. Is that were already dead. Is that were already dead. Is that correct? correct? correct? Moran says the Moran says the Moran says the police literally police literally police literally fed fed fed Devonte facts, and Devonte facts, and Devonte facts, and he simply he simply he simply repeated what he heard. repeated what he heard. repeated what he heard. Once they Once they Once they finally break finally break finally break the suspect down and the suspect down and the suspect down and get him get him get him to agree with the version to agree with the version to agree with the version the police want, the police want, the police want, they turn on the camera they turn on the camera they turn on the camera and get what and get what and get what looks like a looks like a looks like a convincing confession convincing confession . That's exactly what happened to . That's exactly what happened to . That's exactly what happened to Devonte. Devonte. Devonte. Despite Devonte Despite Devonte Despite Devonte now claiming he now claiming he now claiming he didn't do it, the didn't do it, the Wayne County District Attorney's Office insisted Wayne County District Attorney's Office insisted they had their they had their they had their killer. killer. killer. The case was never The case was never The case was never about anything about anything about anything other than other than other than what evidence we could what evidence we could what evidence we could prove beyond a prove beyond a prove beyond a reasonable doubt. reasonable doubt. reasonable doubt. One piece of evidence that One piece of evidence that Devonte's attorney claims Devonte's attorney claims proved this beyond a proved this beyond a proved this beyond a reasonable doubt is reasonable doubt is reasonable doubt is Devonte's Devonte's Devonte's crime scene drawing. crime scene drawing. Devonte was a child, Devonte was a child, and a child is so easily and a child is so easily and a child is so easily led to say led to say led to say different things. different things. No one might ever have questioned questioned Devonte Sanford's sentence Devonte Sanford's sentence Devonte Sanford's sentence if it weren't for this man, if it weren't for this man, if it weren't for this man, Vincent Smithers, a Vincent Smithers, a Vincent Smithers, a self-proclaimed self-proclaimed self-proclaimed hitman hitman hitman who suddenly who suddenly who suddenly had a conscience had a conscience . . . What made you What made you What made you tell all this?

tell all this? tell all this? I have a three-week-old I have a three-week-old I have a three-week-old daughter. I couldn't daughter. I couldn't daughter. I couldn't condemn them to a life condemn them to a life condemn them to a life on the run or the on the run or the on the run or the possibility of being possibility of being possibility of being killed. killed. killed. He was determined to take He was determined to take responsibility for the responsibility for the murders he committed. murders he committed. murders he committed. 16 days after 16 days after 16 days after Devonte Devonte Devonte was caught and was caught and was caught and sent to sent to sent to prison, Smithers prison, Smithers prison, Smithers came forward and came forward and came forward and told police told police told police they had the wrong guy. they had the wrong guy. they had the wrong guy. He didn't do it because he felt He didn't do it because he felt He didn't do it because he felt sorry for Devonte. sorry for Devonte. sorry for Devonte. He did it because he He did it because he He did it because he simply wanted to take simply wanted to take responsibility for what he responsibility for what he had done. had done. had done. The only thing you The only thing you The only thing you used was an used was an used was an AK? AK? AK? Smithers leads Smithers leads Smithers leads the police to the the police to the the police to the AK-47 he AK-47 he AK-47 he used to used to used to commit the murders and commit the murders and commit the murders and draws his own diagram of the draws his own diagram of the draws his own diagram of the crime scene. This is a crime scene. This is a crime scene. This is a perfect match. perfect match. perfect match. The police and The police and The police and prosecutors knew prosecutors knew prosecutors knew who really committed who really committed who really committed the murders on Runyon the murders on Runyon Street. Street. Street. But Davonte's attorney, But Davonte's attorney, But Davonte's attorney, who heads the who heads the who heads the Michigan Michigan Michigan Innocence Clinic, says the Innocence Clinic, says the Detroit police response is simply Detroit police response is simply appalling. appalling. appalling. Instead of Instead of Instead of saying, "Oh my God, saying, "Oh my God, saying, "Oh my God, thank God we thank God we thank God we found this found this found this man. We can man. We can man. We can exonerate that 14- exonerate that 14- year-old boy who was year-old boy who was year-old boy who was just sent to just sent to just sent to prison." The reaction prison." The reaction prison." The reaction was to hide it.

was to hide it. was to hide it. Why do this? Why do this? Why do this? It was a high-profile It was a high-profile It was a high-profile quadruple quadruple quadruple murder. And they murder. And they murder. And they arrested and arrested and arrested and sent a sent a sent a 14-year-old 14-year-old 14-year-old child to prison. So think about child to prison. So think about how awkward it would be to how awkward it would be to how awkward it would be to say, "You know what? say, "You know what? say, "You know what? We did it all We did it all We did it all wrong. This was wrong. This was wrong. This was n't a 14-year-old boy. n't a 14-year-old boy. n't a 14-year-old boy. This was done by a This was done by a This was done by a professional killer and professional killer and professional killer and his accomplice." his accomplice." his accomplice." Vincent Smathers Vincent Smathers Vincent Smathers is offered a is offered a is offered a plea deal. plea deal. plea deal. Eight counts of Eight counts of second- second- degree murder with a sentence of degree murder with a sentence of degree murder with a sentence of 50 to 100 years. But 50 to 100 years. But 50 to 100 years. But shockingly, shockingly, Wayne County prosecutors never Wayne County prosecutors never charged him charged him charged him with the with the with the four murders four murders four murders on Runyon Street, on Runyon Street, on Runyon Street, insisting that the insisting that the insisting that the real killer was real killer was Davonte Sanford. Davonte Sanford. Davonte Sanford. So why did they give So why did they give So why did they give him such a deal? Well, the him such a deal? Well, the him such a deal? Well, the only answer only answer only answer anyone could come up with is that anyone could come up with is that they didn't want they didn't want him to go to court. Because him to go to court. Because him to go to court. Because if the case if the case if the case had gone to trial, it would have had gone to trial, it would have had gone to trial, it would have been revealed that he had been revealed that he had been revealed that he had not only confessed to not only confessed to not only confessed to these eight, but he had also these eight, but he had also these eight, but he had also confessed to the four confessed to the four confessed to the four on Runyon Street. on Runyon Street. on Runyon Street. So Davonte Sanford So Davonte Sanford So Davonte Sanford sits behind bars for sits behind bars for sits behind bars for almost a decade almost a decade almost a decade until the until the most most unlikely hero comes to his rescue. unlikely hero comes to his rescue. unlikely hero comes to his rescue. This is a guy who is This is a guy who is This is a guy who is serving his sentence. serving his sentence. serving his sentence. And he just thought it was And he just thought it was And he just thought it was unfair.

unfair. Life in prison for Life in prison for Davonte Sanford Davonte Sanford Davonte Sanford can only be described as can only be described as can only be described as absolute hell. absolute hell. absolute hell. His whole life His whole life His whole life stopped the day stopped the day stopped the day he left here he left here he left here . . . Nine years that Nine years that Nine years that Davonte lost? Davonte lost? Er, the birth of my Er, the birth of my first nephew. first nephew. first nephew. My mother's wedding. Uh My mother's wedding. Uh , my , my , my younger sister's graduation, younger sister's graduation, younger sister's graduation, prom night. prom night. prom night. My grandmother's funeral. My grandmother's funeral. A lot of things. Imprisoned for almost Imprisoned for almost a decade for a a decade for a a decade for a quadruple quadruple quadruple murder that, according to murder that, according to murder that, according to lawyer lawyer lawyer David Moran, the David Moran, the David Moran, the teenager did not commit. teenager did not commit. Claiming that Claiming that Davonte was coerced into Davonte was coerced into Davonte was coerced into confessing. confessing. confessing. Anyone could see Anyone could see that this confession was that this confession was that this confession was false because false because false because it was simply it was simply it was simply incorrect on incorrect on incorrect on key facts of the key facts of the key facts of the case. case. case. Vincent Smothers, a Vincent Smothers, a Vincent Smothers, a notorious hitman, also notorious hitman, also notorious hitman, also confessed to the murders. confessed to the murders. confessed to the murders. And Moran says, without And Moran says, without And Moran says, without a doubt, he is the a doubt, he is the a doubt, he is the killer. A killer who killer. A killer who killer. A killer who claims claims claims Detroit cops Detroit cops Detroit cops tried to tried to tried to cover it up. cover it up. cover it up. Billy Smothers, you know Billy Smothers, you know , I admitted from day one , I admitted from day one , I admitted from day one that I did those that I did those that I did those four on Runyon four on Runyon Street. And uh, they didn't Street. And uh, they didn't Street. And uh, they didn't want to believe it. And want to believe it. And want to believe it. And so the police and so the police and so the police and prosecutorial prosecutorial misconduct at that misconduct at that point in concealing point in concealing point in concealing Vincent Vincent Vincent Smathers' confession is egregious.

Smathers' confession is egregious. Despite the Despite the killer's confession, the case killer's confession, the case killer's confession, the case was never reopened. was never reopened. was never reopened. How could something How could something How could something like this happen? like this happen? like this happen? There is a certain culture. There is a certain culture. There is a certain culture. It is not inherent in It is not inherent in It is not inherent in all police all police all police stations. It is stations. It is stations. It is not inherent in all not inherent in all not inherent in all prosecutors' offices. I think prosecutors' offices. I think prosecutors' offices. I think this is a minority, thank this is a minority, thank this is a minority, thank God. But there is a culture of God. But there is a culture of God. But there is a culture of simple unwillingness simple unwillingness simple unwillingness to admit mistakes. to admit mistakes. to admit mistakes. Of course, that would be Of course, that would be Of course, that would be extremely shameful. There extremely shameful. There extremely shameful. There is no doubt about that is no doubt about that is no doubt about that . Maybe . Maybe . Maybe someone would even someone would even someone would even pay with a position. pay with a position. pay with a position. Maybe people would have Maybe people would have Maybe people would have been fired for such a been fired for such a been fired for such a terrible police terrible police terrible police investigation from the investigation from the investigation from the start. start. start. So Devonte So Devonte So Devonte remained behind bars, remained behind bars, remained behind bars, facing 90 facing 90 facing 90 years for crimes years for crimes years for crimes he did not commit. he did not commit. he did not commit. How hard How hard How hard was it for him inside? was it for him inside? He survived. He He survived. He survived. He survived. survived. He survived. survived. He survived. A lot of things. A lot of things. Extremely many. What Extremely many. What he went through. he went through. he went through. Tell me. Tell me. Tell me. Well, he was basically Well, he was basically Well, he was basically asking me asking me asking me to help him. He to help him. He to help him. He said that, uh, he was said that, uh, he was said that, uh, he was tied up in his tied up in his tied up in his cell. They took cell. They took cell. They took his food. They were his food. They were his food. They were taking his soul.

taking his soul. All. Then this Then this disturbing video surfaced. disturbing video surfaced. What was on the video? What was on the video? It was Devonte, who It was Devonte, who It was Devonte, who had a lot of had a lot of had a lot of guards on him, they guards on him, they guards on him, they tied him up, tied him up, tied him up, pinned him to the pinned him to the pinned him to the floor, choked him and...I floor, choked him and...I floor, choked him and...I wanted to see that. wanted to see that. wanted to see that. Everyone told me. I didn't Everyone told me. I didn't Everyone told me. I didn't want to see it, want to see it, want to see it, but I kept but I kept but I kept saying I wanted to, and saying I wanted to, and saying I wanted to, and eventually my daughter eventually my daughter eventually my daughter saw the video, saw the video, saw the video, she called she called she called me, screamed and me, screamed and me, screamed and wailed about what wailed about what wailed about what she saw... she saw... Michigan prison officials Michigan prison officials say say say Devonte was Devonte was Devonte was suicidal, and suicidal, and suicidal, and guards were holding guards were holding guards were holding him down for his own him down for his own him down for his own safety. safety. safety. Here again after the Here again after the Here again after the suicide threats. suicide threats. suicide threats. I had to keep I had to keep I had to keep telling them that he would telling them that he would telling them that he would come home. I come home. I come home. I had to tell had to tell had to tell Devonta: you can't Devonta: you can't Devonta: you can't give up. You give up. You give up. You will return home.

will return home. will return home. But somewhere in my heart I did But somewhere in my heart I did But somewhere in my heart I did n't believe it, but I couldn't n't believe it, but I couldn't n't believe it, but I couldn't show it. I show it. I show it. I couldn't tell him couldn't tell him couldn't tell him that I didn't know if that I didn't know if that I didn't know if you would come home. you would come home. you would come home. But Devonte was But Devonte was But Devonte was ready to get ready to get ready to get help from the help from the help from the Michigan Michigan Michigan Innocence Clinic and Innocence Clinic and Innocence Clinic and the most unexpected the most unexpected the most unexpected hero—contract hero—contract hero—contract killer Vincent killer Vincent killer Vincent Smathers, who Smathers, who Smathers, who confessed to everything himself. confessed to everything himself. confessed to everything himself. How does Vincent feel How does Vincent feel How does Vincent feel about Devonte and what about Devonte and what about Devonte and what he went through? he went through? he went through? He wasn't doing it because he felt He wasn't doing it because he felt He wasn't doing it because he felt sorry for Devonte. sorry for Devonte. sorry for Devonte. He did it because he He did it because he He did it because he simply wanted to take simply wanted to take simply wanted to take responsibility for what he responsibility for what he responsibility for what he had done. had done. In a In a notarized statement, notarized statement, notarized statement, Smothers tells the Smothers tells the Smothers tells the Innocence Clinic: " Innocence Clinic: " I shot four I shot four I shot four people at people at people at 19741 Runyon Street. I cannot 19741 Runyon Street. I cannot 19741 Runyon Street. I cannot emphasize enough emphasize enough emphasize enough that Devonte that Devonte that Devonte Sanford was not Sanford was not Sanford was not involved. Devonte involved. Devonte involved. Devonte Sanford is being wrongfully Sanford is being wrongfully Sanford is being wrongfully imprisoned for crimes imprisoned for crimes I know he did not I know he did not I know he did not commit." This statement is commit." This statement is commit." This statement is enough for the enough for the Michigan State Police to launch Michigan State Police to launch their own investigation their own investigation . They immediately . They immediately . They immediately notice something notice something notice something suspicious about the suspicious about the suspicious about the key piece of evidence. key piece of evidence. key piece of evidence. Remember this sketch, Remember this sketch, Remember this sketch, the one that the one that the one that former Detroit Deputy former Detroit Deputy former Detroit Deputy Police Chief Police Chief Police Chief James James James Tolbert testified that Tolbert testified that Tolbert testified that Devonte drew Devonte drew Devonte drew alone at the alone at the alone at the crime scene?

crime scene? crime scene? It turns out that Devonte didn't It turns out that Devonte didn't draw it. draw it. Who painted Who painted Who painted the house here? I the house here? I the house here? I think I drew a think I drew a think I drew a house. I drew a house. I drew a house. I drew a house. house. house. Okay, you drew a Okay, you drew a Okay, you drew a house. That's right. house. That's right. house. That's right. Deputy Chief Deputy Chief Deputy Chief Tolbert contradicts Tolbert contradicts Tolbert contradicts his original his original sworn testimony. sworn testimony. This is the house where we This is the house where we This is the house where we were. were. were. Okay, you drew Okay, you drew Okay, you drew a house and said, " a house and said, " Hey, show me where the Hey, show me where the Hey, show me where the body is." body is." body is." You are there. This is the house You are there. This is the house You are there. This is the house where the body is. where the body is. where the body is. Okay, and then he Okay, and then he Okay, and then he just draws a body there just draws a body there . OK. With this . OK. With this . OK. With this key piece of evidence now key piece of evidence now key piece of evidence now dismissed, state dismissed, state dismissed, state prosecutors have finally prosecutors have finally prosecutors have finally overturned overturned overturned Davonte's conviction. It was a Davonte's conviction. It was a Davonte's conviction. It was a homecoming that had been homecoming that had been homecoming that had been awaited for nine awaited for nine awaited for nine years. Is years. Is there anger? Is there there anger? Is there hatred in your hatred in your hatred in your heart, Davonte? heart, Davonte? heart, Davonte? No. No. No. Why not? Why not? Why not? These nine years These nine years These nine years could have been could have been could have been twenty. Those twenty. Those twenty. Those nine years could have nine years could have nine years could have become thirty- become thirty- become thirty- nine or more. The nine or more. The once innocent 14- year-old has year-old has year-old has now become a changed 23- now become a changed 23- year-old man. year-old man. year-old man. It was hard because It was hard because It was hard because I have flashbacks I have flashbacks I have flashbacks when I think about everything I when I think about everything I when I think about everything I went through in went through in went through in prison. prison.

prison. How horrible was that How horrible was that How horrible was that ? ? ? Very terrible. I Very terrible. I Very terrible. I mean, the moral and mean, the moral and mean, the moral and physical abuse physical abuse physical abuse you receive every day from you receive every day from you receive every day from the guards is the guards is the guards is unbelievable. For unbelievable. For unbelievable. For example? Tell example? Tell example? Tell me what people don't me what people don't me what people don't understand about how it understand about how it understand about how it is. is. is. They thought they would They thought they would They thought they would break me, but break me, but break me, but in reality they in reality they in reality they only made me only made me only made me stronger. stronger. stronger. Deputy Chief Deputy Chief Deputy Chief Tolbert, who Tolbert, who Tolbert, who falsely testified falsely testified falsely testified about the crime scene drawing about the crime scene drawing about the crime scene drawing , was never , was never charged with charged with perjury. The perjury. The Detroit Police Department Detroit Police Department declined declined declined to comment on the case, to comment on the case, to comment on the case, but the Wayne County District Attorney's Office but the Wayne County District Attorney's Office but the Wayne County District Attorney's Office issued a issued a issued a statement. It reads in part: statement. It reads in part: statement. It reads in part: "This case "This case "This case began in 2007 and has been began in 2007 and has been pending in pending in the courts almost continuously since then." New the courts almost continuously since then." New the courts almost continuously since then." New information from information from Michigan State Police has led to Michigan State Police has led to the conclusion that the interests the conclusion that the interests the conclusion that the interests of justice require the of justice require the of justice require the convictions of Davonte Sanford to be overturned convictions of Davonte Sanford to be overturned convictions of Davonte Sanford to be overturned . The . The . The truth was resisted, truth was resisted, truth was resisted, so Davonte Sanford so Davonte Sanford so Davonte Sanford ended up spending not 16 ended up spending not 16 ended up spending not 16 days in prison, but 9 days in prison, but 9 days in prison, but 9 years. To years. To the people who were the people who were involved in involved in involved in taking him away from you, from taking him away from you, from taking him away from you, from his family and those who his family and those who his family and those who love him, and love him, and love him, and most importantly, most importantly, most importantly, taking away from him things taking away from him things taking away from him things and time that he and time that he and time that he can never get back, can never get back, can never get back, what would you say?

what would you say? I forgive them. But I I forgive them. But I think, in the end, think, in the end, think, in the end, he deserves an he deserves an he deserves an apology. apology. Davonte may Davonte may get more than an get more than an get more than an apology. He filed a apology. He filed a apology. He filed a civil lawsuit civil lawsuit civil lawsuit against the against the against the Detroit police, who Detroit police, who Detroit police, who tried to cover up tried to cover up tried to cover up Vincent Vincent Vincent Smathers' confession. Smathers' confession. What would you say to Vincent Smathers? Have you ever spoken to him ever spoken to him ? ? ? Thank you. Thanks to him, I Thank you. Thanks to him, I Thank you. Thanks to him, I got a second chance got a second chance got a second chance at life. I live. at life. I live. at life. I live. Davonte also Davonte also Davonte also founded his own founded his own founded his own non-profit non-profit non-profit organization organization organization called Innocent Dreams. He called Innocent Dreams. He called Innocent Dreams. He reaches out to other reaches out to other reaches out to other teenagers, teenagers, teenagers, hoping hoping hoping to inspire them to inspire them to inspire them to stay on the to stay on the to stay on the right path. right path. right path. What are your dreams, What are your dreams, What are your dreams, Davonte, for Davonte, for Davonte, for the future? the future? the future? To be an ordinary To be an ordinary To be an ordinary person. Live a person. Live a person. Live a normal life. I normal life. I normal life. I know I won't get those know I won't get those know I won't get those 9 years back. They have passed. I do 9 years back. They have passed. I do 9 years back. They have passed. I do n't want to be n't want to be n't want to be remembered as a 14- remembered as a 14- year-old boy who year-old boy who year-old boy who went to prison for a went to prison for a went to prison for a crime he didn't crime he didn't crime he didn't commit. I don't want commit. I don't want commit. I don't want this to be my this to be my this to be my story, my legacy story, my legacy . I want to be . I want to be . I want to be known for "Dreams of the known for "Dreams of the known for "Dreams of the Innocents." Innocents." Innocents." I have one last I have one last I have one last question for you. Do you question for you. Do you question for you. Do you regret going out that day regret going out that day regret going out that day ?

? Yes. That's why now I Yes. That's why now I listen to my mother in everything. listen to my mother in everything. Because she told me: " Don't go outside." Don't go outside." Don't go outside." And I left, and it And I left, and it And I left, and it cost me cost me cost me dearly. It cost dearly. It cost dearly. It cost me, well...what? 9 years old me, well...what? 9 years old . There . There is also another is also another interesting note to interesting note to interesting note to this story. After this story. After this story. After his confession in his confession in his confession in Michigan, everything Michigan, everything Michigan, everything changed. A new changed. A new changed. A new law now law now law now requires police requires police requires police to record any to record any to record any interrogations in interrogations in interrogations in serious crime cases, serious crime cases, serious crime cases, especially especially especially murders.