Wrongfully Convicted Juvenile Lifer Tests Positive for COVID While Waiting on Court Hearing; Family Prays He Makes It...
Six months ago when Robert T. Hinds interviewed with a journalist from the Detroit News, he told her the raw truth about how vulnerable he and other inmates in the UP were to contracting COVID-19. Now six months later, Hinds' complaints are more than concerns, they are his dark reality.
Hinds tested positive yesterday for COVID at the Chippewa Correctional Facility in Kincheloe, MI, where he is among 162 prisoners who have tested positive at the prison according to the MDOC report from November 19, 2020.
Charged with first-degree premeditated murder and possession of a felony firearm at the age of 17, Hinds was convicted of both charges and sentenced to life in prison without parole. After maintaining his innocence for years (specifically that he had no involvement with the crimes he was convicted of) and with the assistance of supporters, Hinds discovered a miscellaneous case file maintained by the Detroit Police Department.This case file contained exculpatory evidence that was wrongfully withheld from his state-appointed defense attorney during his trial in 2001. Within this miscellaneous case file, Hinds discovered the existence of an overwhelming amount of evidence supporting his claims of actual innocence including witness statements, DNA evidence, and usable fingerprints.
After losing over 19 years of his life in prison while pursuing every investigative lead to help gather enough evidence to prove his innocence, in April 2020, Hinds was finally able to file an exoneration application with the Wayne County Conviction Integrity Unit. On October 14, 2020 Hinds filed an emergency motion for bond due to the COVID pandemic and his underlying health risks which include a history of asthma, high blood pressure, thyroid condition, seizure disorder, an irregular heartbeat, and lung issues.
To date, the Wayne County Conviction Integrity Unit has not begun investigating Hinds' innocence claim and the Prosecutor's Office has delayed his bond hearing twice.
After being moved to a unit with other sick prisoners and calling home to inform his family of his test results, loved ones say that Hinds had labored breathing, a loss of taste and was vomiting. Now they can only wait and pray to see what happens next.
Can you please spare a few minutes to join the efforts to help him today? Here is what you can do:
1) Email Valerie Newman, Director of the Wayne County Conviction Integrity Unit and ask her for an update on Robert's case, let her know that you support the petition for his release, Robert has tested positive for COVID-19 and you believe that his application should be prioritized. vnewman@waynecounty.com
2) Email Prosecutor Kym Worthy, Wayne County Prosecutor, and let her know that you support the petition for Robert's exoneration, that Robert has tested positive for COVID-19 and that you want to know why his emergency bond motion hasn't been rescheduled and when the Wayne County Conviction Integrity Unit will be reviewing his innocence claim. kworthy@waynecounty.com
3) Share his petition with others. www.change.org/freeroberthinds
Thank you in advance for your support!