DETROIT – A former Detroit Police Department lieutenant who pleaded guilty to perjury and corruption charges was sentenced Thursday to 2 to 20 years in prison.
William Rice's conviction stems from testimony he gave during a quadruple murder case.
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Prosecutors say Rice testified in a 2009 evidentiary hearing as a defense alibi witness in the trial for Davontae Sanford, but lied under oath.
Sanford had been charged in 2007 in the slayings of four people when he was 14 years old. Sanford pleaded guilty, but his lawyer sought to withdraw the plea.
The state Appeals Court sent the case back to the lower court, where Rice testified.
Both Rice and Cheryl Sanford, Davontae Sanford's aunt, were eventually charged conducting a criminal enterprise.
They stole Section 8 housing money meant to help those in need.
Rice pleaded guilty to two counts of perjury and one count of continuing criminal enterprise. In addition to his prison time, Sanford will be on probation until he pays back more than $100,000 in restitution.
Cheryl Sanford pleaded guilty to one count of continuing criminal enterprise and one count of false pretenses. She has been sentenced to one year in prison.