Charges dropped against man who served 21 years in prison for deaths of 2 Michigan hunters

Charges Dropped Against Man Imprisoned for 21 Years

Prosecutors dismiss murder charges against Jeff Titus

After spending nearly 21 years behind bars for the fatal shooting of two Michigan hunters, Jeff Titus has been released from prison. Prosecutors dropped the charges against him following the revelation that crucial information about another suspect had not been shared with his trial lawyer in 2002.

Acknowledging a Flawed Trial

Kalamazoo County prosecutor reviews the case and decides against a new trial

Kalamazoo County prosecutor Jeff Getting, who thoroughly reviewed the case for three months, made the decision not to pursue a new trial for Jeff Titus. Getting believes that dropping the charges is the right course of action. Titus, now 71, maintains his innocence, asserting that he did not shoot the victims in question.

New Evidence and a Violation of Legal Rights

The Innocence Clinic’s discovery raises doubts about Titus’ guilt

The Innocence Clinic at the University of Michigan law school was actively working to overturn Titus’ convictions when they uncovered a previously overlooked 30-page file from the original investigation at the sheriff’s office. The file contained information about an alternate suspect, Thomas Dillon of Magnolia, Ohio. This critical piece of evidence had never been shared with Titus’ trial lawyer, constituting a significant violation of his legal rights.

Questions Raised and a Troubled Trial

Doubts about Titus’ guilt and inquiries into Dillon’s involvement

Various media sources, including Investigation Discovery and the podcast “Undisclosed,” had raised doubts about Jeff Titus’ guilt and presented questions surrounding the possible involvement of Thomas Dillon. The discovery of the Dillon file at the sheriff’s office by Susan Simpson, along with the subsequent notification of the Innocence Clinic, further deepened these concerns. Getting, who was not the prosecutor during Titus’ initial trial, acknowledged the flaws in the trial, noting that key witnesses from 2002 are now deceased.

Uncertain Truths and a Denied Fairness

Getting expresses uncertainty about the real culprits and emphasizes the lack of fairness in a new trial

Prosecutor Jeff Getting stated that he does not know who ultimately murdered the victims, Doug Estes and Jim Bennett. He emphasized that moving forward with a trial against Jeff Titus would lack the fundamental fairness required by the constitution. Thomas Dillon, the alternate suspect, passed away in 2011 while in prison, having already pleaded guilty to killing five people in Ohio who were hunting, fishing, or jogging between 1989 and 1992.

Possibility of Compensation

Titus could be eligible for over $1 million in compensation

As a result of his wrongful conviction, Jeff Titus may be eligible to receive more than $1 million through a state program that compensates those who have been wrongly convicted. His attorney, Mary Chartier, asserts that Titus is genuinely innocent and incapable of committing the murders, as he could not have been in two places at once.

Q: Why were the charges dropped against Jeff Titus?

A: The charges against Jeff Titus were dropped because critical information about another suspect, Thomas Dillon, was never shared with his trial lawyer. The discovery of withheld evidence and flaws in the trial process led to the decision to drop the charges.

Q: How long was Jeff Titus in prison?

A: Jeff Titus spent nearly 21 years in prison for the fatal shooting of two Michigan hunters before being released. He was wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.

Q: Was there any physical evidence against Jeff Titus?

A: No, there was no physical evidence linking Jeff Titus to the crime. He was cleared as a suspect early on in the investigation, but the murder charges were filed against him 12 years later based on other factors.

Q: Who is Thomas Dillon, and what is his involvement in the case?

A: Thomas Dillon is an alternate suspect in the case. He was a serial killer from Ohio who ultimately pleaded guilty to killing five people between 1989 and 1992. Critical information regarding Dillon was discovered late in the investigation and was not disclosed to Jeff Titus’ trial lawyer.

Q: Will Jeff Titus receive compensation for his wrongful conviction?

A: Jeff Titus could be eligible for over $1 million in compensation through a state program that compensates those who have been wrongly convicted. This is aimed at acknowledging the injustice and providing some measure of support for individuals who have suffered due to wrongful convictions.