In a landmark decision, Paul Clark Jr., who was wrongfully convicted of first-degree murder in 1987, has been exonerated after spending nearly four decades behind bars. Clark was initially found guilty of the murder of Trifu Vasilije during an attempted robbery in the Highland Park neighborhood of Detroit. Vasilije was discovered dead, clutching a knife in what appeared to be an act of self-defense.
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office announced this week that they will not retry the case following a decision by Michigan Circuit Court Judge Mark Slavens to throw out the conviction. This development came after new photo evidence surfaced, raising substantial doubts about Clark’s involvement in the crime.
Shereef Hadi Akeel, one of Clark’s attorneys, expressed his relief to People magazine, saying, “Paul is a walking reminder of what it means to be free. Throughout his wrongful incarceration, he was fighting for his innocence, and finally he was heard. Paul’s freedom is a testament to his innocence and a relief for his family.”
During his time in prison, the 57-year-old Clark worked as a barber, a profession he plans to continue. In an interview with the Associated Press, Clark said, “I want to get my life started back up. I want to get back to work. I’ve been cutting hair all my life. I want to get back in the barbershop.”
Clark had been pursuing multiple unsuccessful appeals over the years. However, in 2020, the prosecutor’s office discovered a mugshot of a man arrested for a similar homicide in the same neighborhood the year Vasilije was murdered. This crucial piece of evidence was not made available to Clark’s defense team during the original trial. The mugshot depicted a man with a prominent scar on his face, a detail that could have introduced reasonable doubt among the jurors.
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Judge Slavens, who granted Clark a new trial in April, acknowledged that the withheld mugshot was significant enough to potentially alter the jury’s decision. Following this revelation, the Michigan Department of Corrections confirmed Clark’s release from prison on May 23 after his conviction was overturned.
In a statement obtained by People, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy explained that her office would not pursue a retrial “due to the age of the case, the difficulties of trying to put the case together again, and the new evidence that raised a potential reasonable doubt as to Mr. Clark’s guilt.” However, Worthy noted that her office does not officially categorize this case as an exoneration.
On July 23, Judge Slavens dismissed the case entirely, and the prosecutor’s office dropped all charges against Clark. A jury trial that was scheduled for September 11 has been canceled. Clark’s wrongful imprisonment cost him precious moments with his family, including the birth of his daughter and the early years of his son’s life. His mother, who was his staunchest supporter, passed away before seeing her son released, and Clark was denied permission to attend her funeral.
Celebrating with his family outside the courtroom, Clark embraced his loved ones, marking the end of a long and painful chapter. “Paul is taking one step at a time,” said Akeel. “Being locked up for 37 years, he needs to take baby steps to transition into society.” Akeel also mentioned that they are seeking a civil rights action to further vindicate Clark’s rights.
Clark’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the flaws within the justice system and the importance of relentless advocacy for those wrongfully convicted. His journey to freedom underscores the need for vigilance and integrity in the pursuit of justice.