Wrongfully convicted man devotes life to mentoring youth

DETROIT (AP) — A Detroit man who spent more than nine years in prison after being wrongfully convicted said he wants to help the city’s youth avoid life behind bars.

Davontae Sanford, 24, recently launched a nonprofit called Innocent Dreams to provide young residents with job skills, help earning a GED, and training in conflict resolution and navigating the criminal justice system, the Detroit News reported.

Sanford was only 14 when charged in the quadruple homicide in 2007.

Prosecutors dropped the charges in June, after a Michigan State Police report said two other men were responsible for the killings.

“I’ve had my struggles, but other kids are also going through their struggles, whether it’s gangs, or something going on at home,” Sanford said. “We’ve all been going through stuff, and I want to tell these kids: Let’s get through it together, and make something of our lives.”

Sanford was released from prison in June. Since then, he has been speaking regularly at churches, schools and events.

I’m still learning how to express my feelings,” he said. “Prison stripped away all my emotions and my feelings — but it also helped me gain consciousness of my choices and decisions. And I want to share that with kids. Focusing my energy on helping other people ... helps me feel normal.”