Incarcerated for a Decade: Judge to Decide if Detroit Man was Wrongfully Convicted
When a heinous crime is committed, the perpetrator deserves to be behind bars. But studies estimate that between 4 to 6% of incarcerated people are innocent.
Howard McKnight claims he is one of them. He’s been in prison for over a decade.
On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, Hon. Bridget M. Hathaway will respond to Howard’s Motion for Relief of Judgement in Wayne County Circuit Court. If she rules in Howard’s favor, he may be released or get a new trial.
In an affidavit signed September 8, 2022, Howard’s original lawyer, James C. Howarth said, “I have seldom, if ever, seen a case wherein so much reasonable doubt was put aside by the judge and jury in order to obtain a doubtful verdict.”
It began on New Year’s Eve with 2013 fast approaching. An elderly couple left a Detroit casino and realized their tire was flat. The husband pulled off Gratiot Avenue and onto a side street. He thought the truck would have to be pushed home. A man approached them on foot and offered to help. As the wife called her son for assistance, she offered the man her phone so he could give her son directions. He gave her the phone back and walked away.
This should have been a story about a kindhearted Good Samaritan. Instead, it’s quite…
