MUSKEGON (WWJ) -- After spending 48 years in prison for a murder he maintains he did not commit, a Detroit man is expected to walk free today.
In 1973, Raymond Gray was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life following the shooting death of a drug dealer in Detroit.
Supporters say that police failed to investigate other suspects, and that Gray’s only connection to the crime that killed Ruben Bryant was that his ex-girlfriend bought drugs from the victim just before the robbery and murder.
In March, Gray filed a request for a new trial. He says he has an affidavit from a witness who would identify others as the culprits.
According to TV reporter-turned-private detective Bill Proctor, it was allegedly Gray’s former girlfriend and two others who were actually responsible for the crime.
“That’s Ray’s only connection,” Proctor told WWJ’s Mike Campbell. “And the fact that the guys who turned out to be the robbers, stopped by Ray’s house before they went to do the robbery and murder.”
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Gray, now 69, is an artist and four-time Golden Glove boxing champion. He was just 21-years-old when he was convicted of first-degree murder.
He is expected to plea no contest to second-degree murder and be released from the Muskegon Correction Facility on time served at noon today.
Gray accepted a rare plea deal from Wayne County prosecutors arranged by Detroit attorney Gabi Silver.