Murder Conviction Thrown Out

Provience had been in custody since 2000 and was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison in 2001. Nick Cheolas, a third year law student, said that Justice was finally served but it was denied for 9 1/2 years. Cheolas and his classmates at the Innocence Clinic of Michigan interviewed many people who were familiar with the case of Rene Hunter who in 2000 was fatally shot in Detroit in what has been described as a drug related homicide. Provience has always insisted he had no role in his death. A police report that suggested others were responsible was the key piece of new evidence, however that was never shared with Provience's trial lawyer. The mother of a man convicted of another drug relate homicide gave the law students the information. The prosecutor's office also agreed that the conviction should be overturned. Spokeswoman Maria Miller said they don't know why the information did not come out earlier.

She also said that it was information that should have been given to the officer in charge of the case but he never received it. Bridget McCormack, the Innocence Clinic co-director, said prosecutors "took it seriously" when a few months ago the report emerged. McCormack predicted that a second trial won't happen, although it is possible. Miller declined to further comment on whether Provience will be retried or is in the clear. The issue could be settled at the next court hearing. "It's been a long journey. They needed him so bad. I'm really glad he's home," said Provience's former girlfriend, Tonya Robinson. Innocence Project representatives said it's a bittersweet situation, because the real person responsible for the crime is still out there. The Innocence Project's David Moran said that it was not complete justice but we'll take it and we are very, very pleased that Provience is finally getting out.

As for Dwayne Provience, it is time to savor freedom and hope for a better future. "We'll just take it one day at a time and just start all over again," Provience said.