DETROIT – A judge has awarded $1 million to a Detroit man who spent 25 years in prison before proving that his mother’s gun wasn’t the murder weapon.
Desmond Ricks is benefiting from a Michigan law that compensates people who are wrongly convicted. Tests last year showed that bullets recovered from the victim didn’t match the gun that was presented at trial in 1992.
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The 51-year-old Ricks was released from prison last May. He tells The Associated Press that he feels “blessed” to be free and plans to use some of the money to start a construction business and help young boys who live without fathers.
A judge signed off on the $1 million payment Wednesday. Ricks’ attorney believes he’s entitled to an additional $216,000 and plans to appeal.