A judge vacated the conviction and dismissed the charges against George Calicut at the request of the Michigan Innocence Clinic and the Wayne County Conviction Integrity Unit, which re-examines old cases for possible unjust convictions. Calicut had been convicted of killing a relative based on a confession coerced by a retired Detroit Police detective whose history has resulted in other exonerations and lawsuit settlements against the city.

“This case is a prime example of why it is so important for our public officials to be willing to review instances of police misconduct. Mr. Calicut had never had any interaction with police prior to this case,” said Olivia Vigiletti, ’22, a clinical fellow with the Michigan Innocence Clinic and lead counsel on the case.

“A close review of this case revealed that (the investigator) not only lied to Mr. Calicut at every turn, she also coerced him into signing a statement that she wrote herself.”