SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) – A Michigan man is free after spending more than a decade behind bars for the death of his infant daughter.
Michael Griffin of Flint has been released from prison and granted a retrial, thanks to help from the Mike Morse Law Firm and the Michigan Innocence Clinic.
Back in 2010 Griffin, just 19 years old at the time, was convicted of killing his 7-month-old daughter Naviah. He was sentenced to life in prison.
The state had alleged and successfully prosecuted that Griffin abused his daughter, leading to her death. But Griffin has maintained that his daughter died as a result of falling out of a child’s swing.
Speaking at a press conference in Southfield Thursday, attorney Mike Morse said Griffin’s court-appointed attorney in the original trial was “a disaster,” noting he didn’t call an expert witness to testify or defend Griffin, despite the fact the state called seven
“His lawyer didn’t understand the science, didn’t understand the medicine and didn’t bother to hire someone or consult with someone who could help him with the medicine,” Morse said. “He was just awful and he was disbarred soon after this conviction for misconduct.”
He’ll get a chance to maintain his innocence at a retrial, tentatively scheduled to begin in July. WWJ’s Jon Hewett reported whether the case will go back to a new trial “remains to be seen.”
Griffin said Thursday “it’s been a long journey” since he was convicted.
“I don’t want nobody to ever experience nothing like this. Ever,” he said. “It’s been a long journey. I never thought I would see this day, but I’m here and it just feels great.”
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