Two brothers, who have spent the past 25 years in prison for murder, have been granted a new trial. Their convictions were tossed out after two witnesses finally broke their silence, but for now the brothers are still behind bars.
"They're expecting to come home. They had their hopes up high. We all did. We all had our hopes up," said brother Scott Highers.
The Highers brothers will not be set free or even released on bond, at least not yet, days after their decades old murder convictions were overturned.
"It's really hard. It's something that I've prayed for since I was a little girl, and it's going to happen, but it's hard to wait this long," said niece Raeanne Highers.
"The journey has just been a roller coaster ride, ups and downs, ups and downs. You get frustrated. You want them to come home," Scott Highers said.
Last week, Judge Lawrence Talon overturned the decision to convict Raymond Highers and his brother, Thomas, sentenced to life in prison for the 1987 murder of Robert Karey at his home in Detroit. Prosecutors are appealing the judge's decision, asking that the Highers brothers remain behind bars.
The judge agreed a new trial could bring a different outcome. Christopher Ball served time with Raymond Highers in 1998 and believes in their innocence.
"I asked him flat out, like are you innocent? He said [he] and his brother were innocent and I believed him wholeheartedly, and here we are today."
It might never have happened without Mary Evans. In 2009, she posted something on the Northeast Detroit Alumni site on Facebook.
"[All] I said was it's too bad or it's sad that the Highers brothers are in prison for life, and that there just started this domino effect."
Another man saw the post and remembered hearing someone else had committed the murder, so he started working to find witnesses who had not come forward to exonerate the Highers brothers.
"I knew this day would come. It's just sad it took 25 years," said Scott Highers. "I know they'll be home. It's just frustrating when. We want them home ASAP."
The Highers brothers and their loved ones will have to wait just not another day, but another couple of weeks. The judge set the next hearing for August 13.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:43:34 GMT
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:48 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:48:59 GMT
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:37 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:37:11 GMT
Livonia firefighters had to break the windows of a ranch home on Oporto, trying to get to the homeowner. Once inside, they found the 60-year-old woman and her three dogs in a bedroom overcome by smoke.
Livonia firefighters had to break the windows of a ranch home on Oporto, trying to get to the homeowner. Once inside, they found the 60-year-old woman and her three dogs in a bedroom overcome by smoke.
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:03 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:03:37 GMT
He is an aging war hero with an aging dog named Buddy that has been his faithful companion for 14 years. However, he can't care for him any longer, and his son says the last thing he wants to do is put the dog to sleep.
He is an aging war hero with an aging dog named Buddy that has been his faithful companion for 14 years. However, he can't care for him any longer, and his son says the last thing he wants to do is put the dog to sleep.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 8:05 PM EDT2013-05-16 00:05:25 GMT
Detroit has a new police chief. James Craig says he is coming home to cut crime in the streets and boost morale in the ranks. He was in town Wednesday.
Detroit has a new police chief. James Craig says he is coming home to cut crime in the streets and boost morale in the ranks. He was in town Wednesday.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:55:04 GMT
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said Don Graunstadt.
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said the CEO of North American Operations for the electric car company.
Friday, May 17 2013 10:19 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:19:58 GMT
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:43:34 GMT
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:48 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:48:59 GMT
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:25 GMT
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city.
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city where the movement started more than 80 years ago.
