Detroit Man's Bid for Freedom After 15 Years in Prison Enters New Phase as Judge Weighs Exoneration.
A two-month-long hearing has concluded, leaving the fate of Mario Willis, a man serving 15 years for a murder he denies committing, hanging in the balance. The Third Judicial Court Judge Margaret Van Houten has yet to issue a written opinion on Willis's petition for exoneration, but is expected to review briefings from both his defense team and Wayne County prosecutors in the coming weeks.
Willis's case centers around an east side Detroit house that he owned, where fireman Walter Harris died. The prosecution alleges that Willis hired handyman Darian Dove to set a fire at the property while Dove entertained a woman there without Willis's knowledge. However, in 2010, Dove changed his account, stating that Detroit Police detectives pressured him into saying he was paid by Willis to set the fire.
During Monday's hearing, testimony from two attorneys who previously represented Willis came to light, highlighting inconsistencies in the prosecution's key witness and potential errors in Willis's original defense team. This included a statement from arson investigator Charles "Chuck" Simms that could have been critical in what police detective Shea testified about, according to Willis's trial lawyer Wright Blake.
Willis's supporters attended various portions of the hearing, including members of the Detroit Police Commission, advocacy groups, and local churches. They are seeking to expose what they believe were lies told by Dove, who was the prosecution's key witness in Harris's death.
In January, Willis's trial lawyer admitted to several "oversights," including failure to retain a fire-causation specialist and neglecting to secure a forensic expert to dispute the ruling of Harris's death as a homicide. Part of Willis's claim that he is entitled to a new trial hinges on the argument that Blake's representation was ineffective.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office Conviction Integrity Unit reviewed Willis's case in 2023 but denied his request for exoneration, setting the stage for Monday's hearing.
A two-month-long hearing has concluded, leaving the fate of Mario Willis, a man serving 15 years for a murder he denies committing, hanging in the balance. The Third Judicial Court Judge Margaret Van Houten has yet to issue a written opinion on Willis's petition for exoneration, but is expected to review briefings from both his defense team and Wayne County prosecutors in the coming weeks.
Willis's case centers around an east side Detroit house that he owned, where fireman Walter Harris died. The prosecution alleges that Willis hired handyman Darian Dove to set a fire at the property while Dove entertained a woman there without Willis's knowledge. However, in 2010, Dove changed his account, stating that Detroit Police detectives pressured him into saying he was paid by Willis to set the fire.
During Monday's hearing, testimony from two attorneys who previously represented Willis came to light, highlighting inconsistencies in the prosecution's key witness and potential errors in Willis's original defense team. This included a statement from arson investigator Charles "Chuck" Simms that could have been critical in what police detective Shea testified about, according to Willis's trial lawyer Wright Blake.
Willis's supporters attended various portions of the hearing, including members of the Detroit Police Commission, advocacy groups, and local churches. They are seeking to expose what they believe were lies told by Dove, who was the prosecution's key witness in Harris's death.
In January, Willis's trial lawyer admitted to several "oversights," including failure to retain a fire-causation specialist and neglecting to secure a forensic expert to dispute the ruling of Harris's death as a homicide. Part of Willis's claim that he is entitled to a new trial hinges on the argument that Blake's representation was ineffective.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office Conviction Integrity Unit reviewed Willis's case in 2023 but denied his request for exoneration, setting the stage for Monday's hearing.
i mean 15 yrs is a looong time and hes still saying he didnt do it 
anyways so now the judge is reviewing some new info that came out during this 2-month hearing 
like that dude dove changed his story and stuff... its all kinda suspicious tbh 
so we gotta keep an eye on it and see what happens next 
mario willis is like a forgotten man, just trying to prove his innocence after all these yrs of silence from the prosecution. it's all about doves alibi changing & the cops pressure tactics 
i dont know what the judge is gonna decide but justice should be served ASAP 
15 yrs is way too long for someone who says he didnt commit a murder...the system failed him big time 
[Distracted boy sitting at a desk, looking confused] 
Time's running out for the prosecution to make up their case! 
judge van houten still hasn't made a decision after that whole 2 month long hearing it's like they're taking their sweet time to weigh his plea 
meanwhile darian dove is still out free and people think the prosecution was pressured into framing willis lol what if marcus willis did nothing wrong he deserves some justice 
. I'm also loving the fact that more people from the community are showing up to support Mario, including some big names in the Police Commission 
.
. It's like, if Dove was pressured by detectives into saying something he doesn't want to admit - that changes everything 
️.
. I'm just waiting to see what that judge comes back with, will he finally let him go? 
.
. I'm all for due process and all, but come on! This whole thing reeks of corruption 
. Can we please just move on from this forum drama and focus on the actual issue at hand? 
.