Detroit Crime Reporter Exposes Justice System for Imprisoning Innocent People
Detroit News crime reporter George Hunter discusses rising violent crime in Detroit and the case of Davontae Sanford, who was arrested at 14 for a quadruple homicide he didn't commit, and the professional hitman who later confessed to those killings.
About This Episode
George Hunter is a seasoned journalist at the Detroit News who has been covering crime stories for over 20 years. A Detroit Native, he is the author of many true crime novels as well as host of the popular podcast Sins of Detroit, a show that looks at wrongful convictions that started with investigations by the Detroit Police Department.
In this episode of the Open Mike Podcast, George discusses what he believes to be the worst wrongful conviction case he’s ever covered- that of Davontae Sanford. When Sanford was 14, he was arrested for a quadruple homicide he didn’t commit. Tune into this episode to hear about Davontae’s journey from arrest to release and the confession of the real killer.
Show Notes
- Introducing today’s guest, George Hunter
- What is your background and connection to Detroit, George?
- Why didn’t you become a cop like the rest of your family?
- Why did you pick journalism?
- How long have you been on the crime beat for the Detroit News?
- What is your take on federal troops offering to come into Detroit?
- Do you think that Detroit could become the next Portland?
- Are violent crimes statistically up?
- How could COVID-19 be influencing private crime?
- What is your take on Detroit Police Chief Craig?
- Do you think Chief Craig handled the Hakim Littleton Shooting well?
- What got you fixated on wrongful convictions? Check out George’s podcast Sins of Detroit!
- It’s remarkable that wrongfully convicted people aren’t always unbelievably bitter
- Are there any wrongful conviction cases that stick out in your memory?
- Davontae Sanford was wrongfully convicted of murder at age 14
- People are very often pressured into pleading guilty like Davontae was
- How many people have Valerie Newman and the Conviction Integrity Unit gotten out of prison?
- George’s website on Davontae Sanford
- Talking about the case of Vincent Smothers who committed the crime Sanford was accused of
- How many years was Davontae Sanford in prison?
- Who was Davontae Sanford’s lawyer?
- How did Davontae’s case get picked up by the University of Michigan Innocence Clinic?
- Was Kym Worthy the prosecutor during the Davontae Sanford case?
- How many innocent people are sitting in prison right now?
- Check out Davontae Sanford’s Road to Freedom here!
- Vincent Smother’s killing of Rose Cobb
- Watch Mike’s interviews with John Sheav and Chantá Parker
- Do you think that our criminal justice and defense systems are getting better?
- Watch Mike’s interview with Kenny Wyniemko
- Is the Detroit Police Department going to keep using facial recognition and Project Greenlight?
- Are people complaining about project greenlight or is it stores?
- Check out George’s books!
- Thank you for watching this episode of the Open Mike Podcast!
FAQs
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What happened in the Davontae Sanford wrongful conviction case?
According to Hunter, Sanford was 14, blind in one eye and had a developmental disability when four people were killed in a drug house near his home on Detroit’s east side in September 2007. A homicide detective and a commander drove him around in a car for three hours. Sanford says police tricked him into confessing; Hunter says the videotaped statement is a cop reading the facts while Sanford answers yes or no. He spent almost nine years in prison.
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What evidence pointed to Vincent Smothers as the real killer instead of Davontae Sanford?
As discussed in the episode, two weeks after Sanford went to prison, professional hitman Vincent Smothers gave detailed accounts of 12 killings; he was charged with eight, but not the four Sanford was imprisoned for. Smothers gave accurate details, including the kinds of guns used, the shell casings matched casings from his other hits, and a gun he said his partner had stashed was found there, with a ballistics match. Hunter confirms Smothers has never been charged with those four killings.
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What common themes does George Hunter see in wrongful convictions?
Hunter says one common theme in the wrongful convictions he has covered is lousy court-appointed counsel for people who can’t afford good lawyers, although Sanford’s lawyer was retained, not appointed. Citing work by Detroit News columnist Nolan Finley, he says plea deals are what Wayne County does, and that attorneys who get defendants to plead guilty keep getting appointments.
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What is George Hunter's take on Detroit police using facial recognition?
Hunter compares it to a gun: a useful law enforcement tool if used properly. He calls it one of the most misunderstood issues he has covered, saying it is based on bone structure, not skin tone, and that while at the front end it does flag Black and Hispanic people more often, there are about 10 more steps in the process so police don’t simply arrest whoever is flagged. He says privacy is a separate issue.
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What is Project Green Light and what criticism has it faced?
Hunter says Green Light puts cameras and extra lighting on businesses that want them, with a green light marking them, and the police real-time crime center watches the feeds so officers can be sent to a crime. The biggest criticism he has heard is from merchants who say they already pay taxes for police protection; they also pay for cameras and electricity. Some people raise privacy concerns, but he says the Green Light cameras do not use facial recognition.
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