Judge Delays Decision On Release Of Brothers Imprisoned Since 1988
DETROIT (WWJ) - Two Flat Rock brothers who had their murder convictions overturned will not be getting out of prison for at least another two weeks.
A Wayne County Circuit Court judge was meeting with attorneys and prosecutors involved in the case of Raymond and Thomas Highers Monday morning at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice.
Judge Lawrence Tallon set a new hearing date for August 13. He said he needs time to review reports from the brothers' time in prison for the murder of 65-year-old Robert Karey in a pre-trial service report before setting bond.
Family members and the defendants had high hopes that the two would be freed on Monday, while prosecutors asked that the pair be kept behind bars until an appeal is heard by a higher court.
The defendants' brother was among supporters at the courthouse."I'm very upset," Scott Highers told WWJ Newsradio 950's Beth Fisher. "Because we've waited ... 25 years has been a long time."
The brothers' 17-year-old niece, Raeanne Highers, is crushed.
"It's really hard. It's something that I've prayed for since I was a little girl and it's gonna happen, but it's hard to wait this long knowing that they just keep going back and going back," she said. "Something has to be done."
Raymond Highers' attorney, David Higbee, said he's confident the brothers will be released at the August hearing.
The two men were serving life without parole for the 1987 robbery and shotgun slaying at a drug house near Detroit City Airport. A judge last week tossed out their convictions after new witnesses came forward to say they saw other men commit the crime.
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