'White Boy Rick' drug trafficker likely to get new sentence
Source: Associated Press
'White Boy Rick' drug trafficker likely to get new sentence
Jeff Karoub, Associated Press
Updated 3:17 pm, Friday, September 4, 2015
DETROIT (AP) — A major Detroit-area drug trafficker known as "White Boy Rick" could soon be released from prison, following nearly 30 years behind bars, after a judge on Friday ordered a resentencing hearing.
Richard Wershe Jr., 46, deserves a new sentence because he was sentenced at age 18 under an old law, and the justice system now treats juveniles differently than adults, Wayne County Circuit Judge Dana Hathaway ruled.
She scheduled the resentencing for Sept. 18 over the objections of Wayne County prosecutors, who later appealed her ruling to the Michigan Court of Appeals. Prosecutors believe Wershe's sentence is lawful and note that his rights-violations claims were rejected on a previous appeal.
Defense attorney Ralph Musilli said his client conceivably could be released immediately after the September hearing, given the time he has served.
Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Judge-hearing-bid-to-release-Detroit-drug-dealer-6484877.php