A recent Associated Press report has renewed attention on one of the most serious failures that can occur in the criminal justice system: the wrongful conviction of an innocent person.
According to the report, Jeff Titus, a Michigan man who spent nearly 21 years in prison for the 1990 killings of two hunters in Kalamazoo County, has agreed to a $5.25 million settlement after alleging that investigators failed to disclose evidence that could have helped prove his innocence. Titus was released in 2023 after his convictions were vacated and the charges were dismissed.
When Critical Evidence Is Not Disclosed
The Titus case centers on a constitutional principle that applies in every criminal case: prosecutors must disclose evidence that may help the defense.
In this case, the University of Michigan Law School Innocence Clinic uncovered a 30-page investigative file that referenced another possible suspect, Thomas Dillon, an Ohio serial killer who later admitted to multiple murders involving hunters, joggers, and fishermen. The information was not provided to the defense before Titus went to trial.
Without access to all relevant evidence, defense attorneys may be denied the opportunity to challenge witness testimony, investigate alternate suspects, and fully test the prosecution’s theory.
Similar Wrongful Conviction Cases Continue to Surface
The Titus settlement is part of a broader pattern seen across Michigan and the United States.
In another Associated Press report, Detroit resident Alexandre Ansari was awarded $10 million after spending nearly six years in prison for a murder he did not commit. Hidden evidence later pointed to another suspect.
The National Registry of Exonerations, maintained in part by University of Michigan Law School, has documented thousands of wrongful convictions involving withheld evidence, mistaken eyewitness identifications, false confessions, and flawed forensic testimony.
These cases are a reminder that once a conviction occurs, it can take years or even decades to correct.
Why Early Defense Investigation Matters
When a person is accused of a serious offense, every fact matters.
At Shannon Smith Law, the defense team represents individuals facing allegations involving criminal sexual conduct, child abuse, and other complex felony charges. In cases where liberty, reputation, and family relationships are on the line, a thorough review of the evidence can be critical.
Early involvement by experienced defense counsel may uncover inconsistencies, missing records, and investigative gaps before they shape the outcome of a case.
Shannon Smith on Wrongful Convictions and Due Process
“Wrongful conviction cases are among the most sobering reminders of what is at stake in every criminal prosecution,” said Shannon Smith, founder of Shannon Smith Law. “When evidence is withheld, investigative leads are ignored, or alternative suspects are not fully explored, an innocent person can lose years or even decades of their life.”
“Financial settlements may acknowledge the harm, but they cannot restore the time someone spent away from their family, career, and community,” Smith said. “That is why the constitutional right to due process and the prosecution’s obligation to disclose all relevant evidence are so critical.”
“Every person accused of a crime deserves a fair trial, a thorough investigation, and a meaningful opportunity to challenge the evidence being used against them,” Smith added. “The justice system only works when the process is transparent, and every fact is placed on the table.”
Smith is a Michigan criminal defense attorney who has handled some of the most high-profile and complex criminal cases in the state. Through Shannon Smith Law, she represents clients facing allegations involving criminal sexual conduct, child abuse, and other serious felony charges.
Contact Shannon Smith Law
Shannon Smith is available to comment on wrongful convictions, prosecutorial disclosure obligations, due process, and other high-profile criminal defense issues in Michigan and nationwide.
Shannon Smith Law represents clients throughout Michigan. To schedule a confidential consultation or for media inquiries, visit the firm’s contact page or call (248) 636-2595.
