Michigan Agrees to $1.03 Million Settlement for Wrongfully Convicted Man
The state of Michigan has taken a significant step in addressing a wrongful conviction case by agreeing to pay $1.03 million to Jeff Titus, a man who spent nearly 21 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit. The convictions related to the deaths of two hunters were overturned in February, marking a turning point in this long-standing legal battle.
Under Michigan’s wrongful conviction law, Jeff Titus, now 71 years old, is entitled to compensation of $50,000 for each year he spent unjustly incarcerated. This hard-fought agreement received final approval from Court of Claims Judge James Redford on August 23, solidifying Titus’s path to justice.
Attorney Wolfgang Mueller, representing Jeff Titus, expressed, “Our goal is to hold accountable those who are responsible for the harm done to Mr. Titus. The state’s acknowledgment of his wrongful conviction is a start.” This statement underscores the importance of acknowledging and addressing wrongful convictions within the legal system.
Titus consistently maintained his innocence throughout the decades-long ordeal, particularly concerning the fatal shootings of Doug Estes and Jim Bennett near his property in Kalamazoo County in 1990. It was only earlier this year that Titus was released from a life sentence after authorities acknowledged a critical oversight. Titus’s trial lawyer in 2002 had never been provided with a police file containing crucial details about another suspect: Thomas Dillon.
Thomas Dillon, an Ohio serial killer responsible for the deaths of five victims between 1989 and 1992, primarily targeted individuals who were hunting, fishing, or jogging. The absence of this critical information undermined Titus’s defense and ultimately contributed to his wrongful conviction.
The failure to produce this pivotal police file unquestionably violated Jeff Titus’s constitutional rights. Kalamazoo County prosecutor Jeff Getting, who was not involved in the 2002 trial, declared that Titus would not face another trial, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding the true perpetrators of the crimes.
Notably, there was no physical evidence linking Titus to the murders. During the trial, he was portrayed as a person with a short temper who disliked trespassers. The Innocence Clinic at the University of Michigan law school tirelessly worked towards exonerating him from these false accusations.
Thomas Dillon, the potential alternate suspect, passed away in prison in 2011, further complicating the pursuit of justice in this case. The resolution reached by Michigan marks a crucial step in addressing wrongful convictions and seeking justice for those who have suffered unjustly within the legal system.