Surrounded by supporters in the lobby outside court on Tuesday, Darrell Ewing said he’s determined to keep fighting what he calls an “ongoing journey to reclaiming his freedom.”
Moments earlier, a Michigan Court of Appeals panel heard arguments over Ewing’s murder conviction, a conviction a Wayne County trial court overturned two years ago after finding he had been wrongfully convicted.
Prosecutors are now asking the appellate judges to reinstate that conviction, arguing the trial court was wrong to release him.
Outside the courthouse, Ewing criticized Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy and her office for continuing to challenge his case.
“Y’all keep on wasting the court’s judicial resources and time. It’s time to get right,” Ewing said. “Y’all wasting the people’s time. And y’all are hurting the victims by prolonging cases that y’all know are clear cases of innocence. Look at all of these men that are standing here. This is an innocent man that has been declared. This is an innocent man that been declared. This is an innocent man that been declared and did time. And there’s many more.”
Ewing spent 14 years behind bars before judges determined he was wrongfully convicted.
Since his release, he has begun pursuing a law degree and has become an outspoken advocate for others who say they, too, were imprisoned for crimes they did not commit.
Several of those exonerees and advocates stood with him Tuesday, many of them pointing to cases they say are still being handled by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.
“You’re responsible for wrongful convictions,” said exoneree Larry Smith Jr. “Instead of releasing some of the people and allowing them to go on with life, you’re just trying to charge out the taxpayers. Do the taxpayers dirty. So, fire Kym Worthy.”
In a written statement, Worthy defended her office’s decision to appeal in Ewing’s case and others.
“My office makes determinations whether to appeal on a case-by-case basis after examination of lower court rulings and the legal and factual issues involved,” Worthy said. “Prosecuting Attorneys have a right to appeal adverse rulings, and my office makes decisions that we believe are merited and in the best interests of justice.”
Ewing says he’s trying to stay focused as the appeal moves forward.
“The thing is, it’s all about getting it right. We aim to get it right,” he said when asked what message he wanted to send. “It’s some individuals that I would never want to stay next to my auntie, my dad, my friends, you hear me? That justice must be done in. But when it’s an injustice, you have the duty to correct it. Not to continue to prolong it.”
After Tuesday’s (March 10) hearing, Ewing joined attorneys, exonerees, nonprofit leaders, and advocates to connect community members with legal resources and information about wrongful convictions.
Law students from the Michigan State University Public Defender’s Clinic are helping Ewing argue his case before the Court of Appeals.
For now, all sides are waiting on the appellate court’s decision, which will determine whether Ewing’s overturned conviction remains vacated or his legal battle continues.
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