DETROIT – "White Boy" Rick Wershe is petitioning to have court orders reversed and his case sent back to trial for re-sentencing.
Wershe has filed a petition for relief stating his life with parole sentence violates the Michigan Constitution's prohibition against cruel or unusual punishment. His attorney claims Wershe is entitled to relief under Michigan law.
Wershe, 47, is the longest serving juvenile drug offender in the history of Michigan. He was a juvenile convicted of possessing more than 650 grams of cocaine in 1988. His sentence was life in prison and was later changed to allow the possibility of parole, which is something his attorneys call "unrealistic."
Wershe was almost out when he sat before Judge Danna Hathaway in September, expecting to be resentenced. But Prosecutor Kym Worthy objected, and it shut the whole prison release effort down.
"I think it has a chance because the eastern district is so well aware of my case and I don't think anyone in the eastern district thinks you should spend 29 or 30 years in prison for a first time drug offense," Wershe said.
Next month, Wershe will start year 29 behind bars.
Wershe is planning a holiday giveaway at Detroit's Emanuel Lutheran Church near his old home on the city's east side.
"My grandfather never missed a day at that Lutheran Church," Wershe said. "It means something to give back to the city and be remembered for something other than my past as a drug dealing kid or someone the goverment got involved in drugs."
Donate to to Wershe's holiday giveaway here.
READ: The Story of White Boy Rick
Here is the full petition filed Tuesday:
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