DETROIT – A key hearing for a man serving a 30-year prison sentence for a fire that killed Detroit firefighter Walter Harris was pushed to a later date.
Mario Willis was convicted of second-degree murder and arranging an arson that killed Harris in 2008. However, there has been a fight to overturn the conviction.
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Darion Dove, a handyman, Willis and a woman were using an empty house owned by Willis for a rendezvous.
Dove said he started a fire with a little gasoline to keep them warm but said he was pressured to say it was not an accident.
Retired Local 4 news anchor Devin Scillian has reported on the work done to prove Willis’ innocence. After following the case for a year, he said there’s new momentum pushing the case forward.
“My heart breaks for Maxine every time I talk to her,” said Scillian. Maxine is Willis’ mother.
Previous coverage: Detroit mother fights for son’s innocence in house fire where firefighter was killed
“It would just be really nice to see a fresh look at the facts,” he continued. “There is now a police commissioner who is urging a new look at what happened, as well. That gives it a little different momentum, as well.”
He expected the prosecution would get more time to look over everything.
The hearing on 11 a.m. on April 15, 2025, focused on rescheduling court dates. This hearing was push to a later date but was not specified when.
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