Man exonerated after 25 years in prison seeks millions from Detroit

DETROIT – A Detroit man who served 25 years in prison for murder based on sham evidence has filed a lawsuit seeking more than $100 million.

Desmond Ricks, 51, was released in May after making the extraordinary claim that Detroit police framed him for a fatal shooting outside a restaurant in 1992. An analysis of two bullets shows they didn't match a gun that was presented as the murder weapon.

During the trial, the Detroit Police Department Firearms lab examined two bullets recovered from Gerry Bennett and a gun owned by Ricks' mother. Experts concluded they bullets matched the gun. He was found guilty of second-degree murder and a felony firearms violation. He was sentenced as a habitual second offender to 30 to 60 years in prison.

A defense team filed a motion in 2016 and the court ordered the evidence be reanalyzed by the Michigan State Police Crime Lab. Further inspection contradicted the precious findings. The court ruled Ricks would be given a new trial. The case was dismissed at a pretrial conference.

READ: Bullet tests clear Detroit man in prison since 1992

RELATED: Case dismissed for Detroit man convicted in fatal shooting who spent 25 years in prison

Attorney Wolfgang Mueller says Ricks was a victim of "horrific" misconduct. He filed a lawsuit in federal court Wednesday on behalf of Ricks and two daughters. 

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About the Authors:

Koco joined the Local 4 News team in September of 2016. She was born and raised in Metro Detroit, attended Central Michigan University, and previously worked at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids.