Murder case dismissed against Detroit man who served 8 years

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT – A judge has dismissed charges against a Detroit man who went to prison as a teen and spent eight years behind bars for four murders that were eventually linked to a hit man.

Judge Brian Sullivan's signature Tuesday finally closes the case against Davontae Sanford, who was 14 when he walked up to a homicide scene in his neighborhood in 2007 and became a suspect.

Sanford's convictions were thrown out June 7 at the request of prosecutors, and the 23-year-old was released from prison the next day.

Prosecutor Kym Worthy said Sanford's guilty pleas were spoiled after state police found misconduct by Detroit police.

But the case had many other problems, especially an extraordinary confession by a hit man who says he killed the four victims.