DETROIT (AP) — After five trips to the Michigan appeals court, a prison sentence for a fire that killed a Detroit firefighter might be settled 13 years later.
The court late last week affirmed a 30-year sentence for Mario Willis, who was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2008 death of firefighter Walt Harris.
Willis was accused of paying a handyman $20 to burn down an abandoned house. The roof collapsed on Harris, killing him as he was fighting the fire.
Willis' case has bounced for years between Wayne County and higher courts. The trial judge initially was told that he had failed to adequately explain why he exceeded the guidelines in ordering a 41-year prison term.
The latest sentence by a different judge was within the guidelines, the appeals court said.
Willis has remained in prison during his appeals.
- Posted June 08, 2021
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Sentence OK'd in 2008 fire that killed Michigan firefighter
headlines Macomb
- Sharing some holiday cheer
- MDHHS shares latest MISEP update demonstrating strong progress and improvements made in keeping children safe
- Task force investigations result in two men arraigned on charges including armed robbery, conducting a criminal enterprise
- Law firm honors local teacher as Exceptional Educator of the Month
- Nessel announces settlements with Lannett and Bausch approaching $18M over conspiracies to inflate prices and limit competition
headlines National
- Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Law back in compliance with ABA standard
- Chemerinsky: The Fourth Amendment comes back to the Supreme Court
- Reinstatement of retired judge reversed by state supreme court
- Mass tort lawyer suspended for 3 years for lying to clients
- Law firms in Minneapolis are helping lawyers, staff navigate unrest
- Federal judge faces trial on charges of being ‘super drunk’ while driving
