In Michigan, people exonerated based on new evidence receive $50,000 for every year they serve in prison. The attorney general’s office, which has sometimes refused to award compensation, quickly approved Wright’s case and approved the decision on Jan. 10.
Wright said he might use some of the money to buy a house, as well as a car for his sister.
"Nothing can make up for 35 years in a Michigan prison for a crime he did not commit. Restitution is the first step in getting Louis back on his feet at age 65," said Wright's attorney, Wolf Mueller.
Louis Wright stands with his sister after being released from prison in November 2023. Photo: Cooley Law School Innocence Project
Investigators in Albion identified Wright as a suspect after a police officer confirmed he was near the scene. Police said Wright admitted to the crime, although the interview was not recorded and he did not sign a confession, according to the Innocence Project at Cooley Law School, which helps people wrongly imprisoned. Police never called the victim to identify Wright. He was eventually sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison.
"Wright said he did not commit the crime and will not attend any therapy. He has traded years of freedom to stand firm on his principles. Not many people do that," the lawyer said.
Wright was given a DNA sample last summer. "The last months of my prison life, I was always smiling. Everyone thought I had a secret plan," Wright said.
Since his release, Wright has reunited with his family and enjoyed the simple things in life, like playing pool in a bar.
Meanwhile, Mueller's attorney filed a lawsuit seeking more than $100 million in damages against the police, claiming they violated Mr. Wright's rights during the 1988 investigation.
Huyen Le (According to ABC , Sky , Daily Beast )
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