Mike Morse Law Firm Successfully Argues Wrongfully Convicted Man’s Release After Unconstitutional, 13.5-Year Prison Stint

On Monday, May 1, 2023, Mike Morse Law Injury Firm, in partnership with the Michigan Innocence Clinic, won the release of Michael Anthony Griffin of Flint, Mich., who has served over 13 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

Michael Anthony Griffin was convicted of Felony Murder and Child Abuse in 2010 for allegedly abusing and killing his daughter in late September 2009. The state argued, supported by the testimony of seven doctors, that Mr. Griffin intentionally abused Naviah Griffin, causing her death. Mr. Griffin denies abusing Naviah, and instead claims that he placed Naviah in an electric, motorized infant swing, unsecured, and that she fell out, after which Mr. Griffin found her unresponsive.

While the state had seven of doctors testify against Mr. Griffin, Mr. Griffin’s court-appointed counsel did not retain a single expert to consult or testify in Mr. Griffin’s defense. Attorney and founder Mike Morse, along with attorneys John Nachazel Jr. (Mike Morse Injury Law Firm), James King (The Cochran Firm – Detroit), Adam Clements (Perkins Law Group), Keith Banka (Mike Morse Law Firm) and the Michigan Innocence Clinic brought evidence that Mr. Griffin’s original trial attorney was unconstitutionally ineffective and that the scientific consensus around short fall and other head injuries has evolved since 2010, evidence that was not readily available in 2010. The decision of Mr. Griffin’s counsel to not retain an expert to aid the defense was legally deficient assistance of counsel and caused Mr. Griffin to suffer prejudice, leading to his unjust conviction. As such, Genesee County Circuit CourtJudge Elizabeth A. Kelly vacated Mr. Griffin’s convictions in March 2023 and ordered a new trial.

On May 1, 2023, Mike Morse argued a motion for Mr. Griffin’s release on bond pending his new trial. On Wednesday, May 3, Mr. Griffin was released on a $25,000.00 surety bond with an electronic tether and reunited with his family members for the first time in 13.5 years.

“I’m still trying to process it. I’m going to be honest, I’m still trying to process it. But it feels great, it feels great. It’s been a long journey, a long journey. But I’m here, with my family here, my attorney here, it’s time,” an emotional Griffin said.

On Wednesday, May 4, Mr. Griffin and his family participate in a press conference that was hosted at the Mike Morse Law Firm’s Southfield, MI offices. At the press conference Mr. Griffin discussed what it was like to be unjustly convicted for 13 years, his gratitude and love of his family, his appreciation for Mike and the entire legal team, and, of course, food:

“Mr. Griffin can now be with his family, consult with his lawyers, and try to regain his life after sitting in prison for 13.5 years, after an unjust and unconstitutional trial,” Morse declared. “This is a huge win for Mr. Griffin and his family and a huge win for justice.”

Mr. Griffin’s attorneys say it’s now up to Genesee County prosecutors to decide whether his case will be retried.

Update as of September 29th, 2023: 

After thoroughly reviewing new, available evidence, the Genesee Prosecutor’s Office dropped all charges against Mr. Griffin and dismissed this case on September 13th, 2023. Throughout this entire process, the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office has been extremely professional and respectful to Mr. Griffin and his legal counsel. It is abundantly clear that Genesee County Prosecutor Mr. David Leyton and his staff care about doing their job the right way and only prosecuting cases when they have a good faith basis for believing the available evidence will support a conviction. We look forward to working with Mr. Leyton in the future to try to find permanent solutions to the issues with the criminal justice system that are preventing everyone charged with a crime from receiving a fair trial. Mike Morse Law Firm commits to advancing reform efforts so the wrongful conviction crisis can one day be quelled, once and for all.

Content checked by Mike Morse, personal injury attorney with Mike Morse Injury Law Firm. Mike Morse is the founder of Mike Morse Law Firm, the largest personal injury law firm in Michigan. Since being founded in 1995, Mike Morse Law Firm has grown to over 200 employees, served 40,000 clients, and collected more than $1.5 billion for victims of auto, truck and motorcycle accidents. The main office is in Southfield, MI but you can also find us in Detroit, Sterling Heights and many other locations.