Prosecutor might be OK with release of 'White Boy Rick'

DETROIT (AP) - The Wayne County prosecutor might reverse her opposition to the release of a Detroit-area drug dealer nicknamed "White Boy Rick," who has been in prison for 28 years for crimes when he was a teen.

Kym Worthy says her office is reviewing the case of Richard Wershe, who is serving a life sentence with occasional opportunities for parole. The state parole board so far has declined to release him, but his chances could improve if the prosecutor has no objection.

In a brief statement last Friday, Worthy says she's been influenced by her recent review of more than 100 so-called juvenile lifer cases, prisoners who are serving no-parole sentences for murder committed when they were teens. Many soon will get a chance for shorter sentences.

Wershe is 47.

Published: Tue, Aug 30, 2016