The state of Michigan has agreed to provide $1.03 million in compensation to a man who endured nearly 21 years behind bars for the deaths of two hunters before his convictions were overturned in February. Jeff Titus, aged 71, became eligible for compensation through the state's wrongful conviction law, which allocates $50,000 for each year served in prison.
Court of Claims Judge James Redford gave his approval to this agreement on August 23.
"Our aim is to hold those responsible for Mr. Titus's suffering accountable. The state's acknowledgment of his wrongful conviction is a significant step," stated attorney Wolfgang Mueller on Friday.
Titus consistently maintained his innocence in the tragic shootings of Doug Estes and Jim Bennett, which occurred near his Kalamazoo County property in 1990.
Earlier this year, he was released from a life sentence when authorities acknowledged that Titus's trial lawyer in 2002 never received a police file containing information about another potential suspect.
Thomas Dillon, an Ohio serial killer responsible for five victims between 1989 and 1992 who were hunting, fishing, or jogging, was identified as this suspect.
The failure to provide this crucial file was a clear violation of Titus's constitutional rights.
In June, Kalamazoo County prosecutor Jeff Getting announced that Titus would not face a new trial, stating, "I don't know who ultimately murdered Mr. Estes and Mr. Bennett." Getting had no involvement in the 2002 trial.
Notably, there was no physical evidence linking Titus to the crimes, and he had been portrayed at trial as someone who was easily angered by trespassers. The Innocence Clinic at the University of Michigan law school played a pivotal role in securing his exoneration.
Dillon passed away in prison in 2011.
In another news, Angelique Cauchy, a prominent French tennis figure, has recently come forward with disturbing revelations regarding her traumatic experiences. She courageously shared that, beginning at the age of 12, her coach subjected her to appalling abuse, amounting to 400 instances of sexual assault. See detailed story here.
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