DNA Clears Detroit Man Imprisoned 26 Years For Murder He Didn't Commit

Twenty-six years later, a Detroit man is free from prison after DNA evidence proved he didn’t murder his foster mother.

Lacino Hamilton, 45, hugged Attorney Mary Chartier and his other greeters who helped clear his name when he walked out of the Macomb Correctional Facility on Wednesday (September 30).

He’s a free man for the first time in nearly three decades.

A Wayne County judge vacated Hamilton's conviction of the murder of his foster mother, Willa Bias, in 1994, the Detroit News reported. Hamilton was 19 at the time.

Hamilton has always said he had nothing to do with Bias’ death. She was shot in her home, and a “jailhouse snitch” provided false testimony that Hamilton admitted to the crime, Hamilton’s lawyers told media outlets. Hamilton received 50 to 80 years in prison.

Recent DNA testing proved that evidence under Bias’ fingernails — from the fight with her attacker — didn’t come from Hamilton.

The DNA testing that cleared Hamilton was facilitated by the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School Innocence Project, WXYZ reported.

Hamilton said he was “a little overwhelmed,” but “extremely grateful” to walk free.

"We made the decision long ago to never give up fighting for Mr. Hamilton’s release," Chartier said in the Detroit News story. "While we are beyond thrilled that he has been exonerated, he lost 26 years of his life waiting for this day."

"There are thousands of Mr. and Ms. Hamiltons sitting in prison but they don't have the resources (to help them)," she added. "Many of the thousands of men and women who are wrongfully imprisoned have been convicted based on ‘snitch’ testimony."

Hamilton hopes to help some of those people.

In his newfound freedom, Hamilton aims to launch a new career path and advocate for reform in the judicial system and help others avoid similar experiences.

Photo: Getty Images