DETROIT – White Boy Rick Wershe was arrested at 17 years old.
He went to prison at 18 and is still there 27 years later. No juvenile busted for drugs in Michigan has ever served this long behind bars.
Now, in a letter from Gov. Rick Snyder's office to Wershe's attorney, instead of granting Wershe a release the letter says the request will be sent to the Michigan Parole Board -- the same board that denied Wershe release in 2003 and has not given him a hearing since.
Wershe's attorney is outraged.
"The last time he was up for consideration was 2012. They refused him a hearing. They said we will see you in 2017. Well this is ridiculous," said attorney Ralph Musilli.
In a recent phone interview from prison, Wershe said he has no faith in the Parole Board.
"At this point, Kevin, I don't know what else I can add," said Wershe. "It is what it is. These people ... there is someone or something keeping me in prison and it's not the crime I committed. Why has everyone else been released?"
Across the country, politicians are talking prison reform. Even President Obama said non-violent drug offenders need another chance.
Wershe says he is sorry and that he feels he has more than paid for the mistakes he made as a teenager.
"I was a kid. I was stupid. I regret every day," he said.
Statement from governor's office:
A spokesman from Gov. Snyder's office released this statement on the matter:
"The communication from the governor's office was merely to indicate that the package from attorney Musilli has been received. The contents of the package, including an application for commutation, will be reviewed. No determination has been made at this point." -- David Murray