DETROIT, USA — A man who spent 22 years in prison for a double murder conviction was released on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, after prosecutors acknowledged that his trial was tainted by the testimony of a Detroit police officer later revealed to be a serial bank robber.
LaVone Hill, sentenced to life in 2002 for the fatal shootings of two men, walked free after the Wayne County prosecutor’s office uncovered critical flaws in his conviction.
“Not much shocks me anymore, but this did,” Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said.
“I have never seen anything like this in all of my decades of being a judge or a prosecutor.”
The case unravelled following revelations about Sgt. Walter Bates, a Detroit police officer whose testimony was central to Hill’s conviction.
Bates, who denied coercing a key witness during Hill’s trial, was later convicted in federal court for orchestrating a series of bank robberies.
The Flawed Case Against Hill
Hill was convicted based on the testimony of a man who initially signed a statement claiming to have witnessed the crime.
However, during the trial, the witness recanted, alleging police had coerced him. Bates denied the allegation, and his testimony convinced the jury to find Hill guilty.
What jurors and even Hill’s own defence attorney did not know at the time was that Bates was suspended during the trial due to his involvement in criminal activities.
“I cannot say whether [Hill] is guilty or not guilty of this crime,” Worthy said.
“This is what I can say definitively: Former Sgt. Bates’ testimony in Mr. Hill’s trial was a pivotal part of his case. No one during the trial — not the assistant prosecutor, not the defence attorney, or the judge — was made aware of Bates’ massive and ongoing criminal behaviour before, during, and after the investigation and trial.”
Further investigation by the Innocence Clinic at the University of Michigan law school uncovered additional issues with the case, including evidence that contradicted the prosecution’s claims.
The victims were shot with a rifle, not a handgun, as jurors had been told.
Hill Maintains Innocence
Hill, who consistently proclaimed his innocence throughout his incarceration, expressed relief and frustration during his court appearance.
“I was not even there when this crime took place,” Hill told the judge.
“I’ve sat in prison for almost 23 years because of the misconduct of the Detroit Police Department.”
Bates Silent Amid Fallout
Bates, who declined to comment when reached by The Detroit News, was a respected figure in law enforcement before his fall from grace.
His dual role as a police officer and criminal mastermind has cast a shadow over other cases he investigated.
The decision to release Hill comes amid broader scrutiny of the justice system and its reliance on police testimony.
Hill’s exoneration highlights ongoing concerns about accountability within law enforcement and the impact of misconduct on the judicial process.
Advocacy for Justice Reform
Hill’s case underscores the importance of post-conviction review, legal experts say.
The Innocence Clinic, which has helped overturn numerous wrongful convictions, emphasised the need for greater transparency and rigorous scrutiny of evidence in criminal cases.
“Justice was delayed, but thankfully not denied,” said a spokesperson for the clinic.
“This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of police misconduct and the urgent need for systemic reforms.”
Hill’s release brings hope for the many individuals who continue to fight to prove their innocence, while also raising questions about how many similar cases may still be buried in the shadows of the justice system.
