Michigan Appeals Court lets 2 long-imprisoned brothers stay free

Thomas, Raymond Highers stay free to await retrial in Wayne County

Published On: Nov 21 2012 03:41:27 PM EST   Updated On: Nov 21 2012 03:56:43 PM EST
DETROIT -

The Michigan Court of Appeals has refused to block a lower court order freeing two brothers who spent 25 years in prison on now-reversed Detroit murder convictions.

Thomas and Raymond Highers were accused of shooting a marijuana dealer at a house in Detroit.

On Aug. 13, Wayne County Circuit Judge Lawrence Talon ordered them retried and freed on $10,000 bonds after new witness testimony suggested the brothers may have been misidentified.

Their retrial is scheduled April 22, 2013.

The Wayne County prosecutor appealed, but the appeals court declined Wednesday to reverse it.

Spokeswoman Maria Miller says the prosecutor's office may appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court.

Thomas Highers is 47, and Raymond Highers is 46.

Highers brothers released from prison

Published On: Aug 13 2012 09:19:01 PM EDT
Brothers released from prison, await new trial after nearly 25 years behind bars for murder they say they did not commit

Two Michigan brothers were granted bond and released from prison Monday after nearly 25 years behind bars for a murder they say they never committed.

Highers brothers released 9
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