I'm reaching out to you on behalf of Andraus McCloud who 19 years ago was falsely accused of Murder on an aiding and abetting theory. We now have new evidence directly from the shooter admitting that Andraus had nothing to do with the crime. After the jury was provided with two defective Verdict Forms and initially deadlocked with a question about, "mere presence," Andraus was wrongfully convicted of 2nd Degree Murder, Home Invasion, and Armed Robbery. However, he was confusingly acquitted of all gun charges associated with the crime although a murder weapon was found. Andraus was then sentenced to 80-125 years in prison. I'm in desperate need of your help in exposing the layers of corruption which only made Andraus appear guilty. This corruption and lack of voice seems to be the current hindrance to his long-deserved freedom today. A list of supporters and I have come to the unsettling conclusion that he IS a innocent man and should be released immediately.

Proof of Andraus' innocence includes:

Unsolicited newly discovered evidence from the actual murderer admitting that Andraus had nothing to do with the crime.

A positive gun residue test taken from the actual murderer, which wasn't mentioned at trial.

Newly discovered scientific evidence to the contrary of the prosecution's DNA expert, Dr. Julie Howenstine's findings. This expert also gave untruthful testimony about the protocols she employed in a major case in the past. See (Michigan vs Leonard 287 F. Supp 2d 765, 2003). Professor William C. Thompson from the University of California Irvine, an authority on the subject, reviewed the prosecution's DNA expert's trial testimony in McCloud's case and stated, "Additional testing of the mask itself (not just the DNA extracted from the mask) should be a high priority." Another independent expert, Daniel Chan, PhD also reviewed McCloud's trial transcripts and stated, "I strongly recommend a retest."

Evidence of the lead detective tampering with evidence on two separate occasions.

Evidence of the lead detective providing false and misleading testimony.

Evidence of known corrupt officer, Matthew Bray providing false and misleading testimony.

Multiple initial conflicting statements from witnesses that wasn't mentioned during trial, which points towards Andraus' innocence.

Evidence that the prosecution's star witness repeatedly gave false testimony, which destroys his credibility.

One of the ways we can prove that evidence was tampered with was by simply comparing an officer's testimony with the forensic technicians who initially collected evidence. On appeal Andraus was told that the video and audio recorder malfunctioned during approximately 30 minutes of the technician's testimony and how a portion of her testimony is now missing.

At the time this appeared as if it happens frequently...but does it really? After further investigating we found proof of tampering and other serious prosecution misconduct including false information on the Departmental Voucher Request Forms. Now according to a Freedom of Information request, Genesee County is now stating that the entire file and is lost. (See FOIA # 21-0379)

"I've woken up every day for 19 years thinking that this will be the day I'm finally released," states McCloud while on a collect call from prison. "I offered and took a polygraph test because I knew I wouldn't fail and have always told the truth. The actual killer took one and failed but was still offered one and only one plea that mandated he testify that I was involved. He is also telling members of his own family that I'm innocent," McCloud continued. 

"This was impossible to prove back in 2006. My lack of education and ignorance of the law played a big part. The prosecution was able to control the narrative with their version of the crime. Now it's time for the truth. My public defender at the time knew that I could prove how officers tampered with evidence. He strongly advised me to leave it alone and warned me about putting this on the record. He told me that it would only make things worse for me. He went on to say that the state wasn't paying him enough to burn bridges with people he had been friends with for over ten years, which was the same people he would need favors from 10 years after I was gone. I filed every single one of my motions during trial myself. My attorney ended up abandoning the trial strategy during closing arguments.

In prison I began to self-educate myself on the law and forensic science in particular. I ultimately ended up attending a criminal justice course provided by Michigan State University and finished it with a 4.0 GPA. I've written a few articles that have been published. One article is called, "The Stigma," which will soon be published by Phil Christman and the University of Michigan. I understand the stigma of a "prisoner" and how everybody in here claims to be innocent.... but in a room full of prisoners, I feel out of place because I am not supposed to be here.

I studied forensic science for over 10 years because I knew the forensic science was 100% false in my case and was used to convict me. Now I'm backed by one of the best experts in the country. DNA being present in any case will almost certainly end with a guilty verdict. Recently Governor Whitmer signed an Executive Order (EO) and established an advisory body task force stating that "the misapplication of forensic science is the second reason behind exonerations in the U.S."

"Hindsight is 20/20. There is so much I could have done differently that night," stated Andraus as the automated voice reminded us that we had one minute left on the phone. "Where I grew up, we saw things that led to unfortunate situations like this often. I was present in the vehicle all because of a girl who was in the vehicle. She was listed as merely a witness. I did what I usually do when something like this happened and that was to not get involved. I recently realized that God sent me on this journey for a reason. They say, 'The truth will set you free.' One thing about the truth is that you never have to remember a lie. I've always told the truth while others continue to struggle and remember their lies."

While speaking to Andraus over the phone, I learned of the unbelievable amount of evidence that supports his innocence, inwhich he has sent me. This man has a signed confession from the actual murderer confessing he knows Andraus is innocent and should NOT be in prison. Also, a positive gun residue test taken from the actual murderer and failed a polygraph test, but yet they would not allow Andraus to use this evidence in court to prove his innocence. He was also acquitted of all gun charges. So, you have to ask yourself, how does someone go to prison for 80-125 years for shooting a man when he did not have a gun in his possession? Also, how does one go to prison when he was acquitted of open murder? Where did this 2nd degree murder charge come from if he was already acquitted of the murder? Yet he is still in prison.

Andraus has never been a violent person. He is a empathic, compassionate, talented, artistic, and VERY smart man with a good outlook on life. He is ambitious and goal oriented. He IS an innocent man and has already been fighting for 19 years. How much more of his life does he have to give up before he is released? Please sign my petition so Judge Celeste Bell at the 7th Judicial Circuit Court in Flint, Michigan will hear us and FREE ANDRAUS MCCLOUD!!! 

McCloud is currently incarcerated at Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility. Please feel free to contact him directly @Jpay.com or at: Inmate #302822 OR you can write him a letter and send it to:

A. McCloud #302822
Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
1727 Bluewater Hwy
Ionia, MI 48846

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION AND THEN SHARE IT!!! 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!