Tommy Highers was a man who spent 26 years of his life in prison for a murder he did not commit. He was finally released in 2012 after new evidence proved his innocence. However, his freedom was short-lived as he passed away on November 14, 2021, at the age of 56. The cause of his death is still unknown to the public. His family and friends are mourning his loss and remembering his struggle for justice. This article will tell you the tragic story of Tommy Highers and his brother Raymond Highers, who were both wrongfully convicted of killing a drug dealer in 1987.
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The Murder of Robert Karey
On June 26, 1987, Robert Karey, a 65-year-old drug dealer, was shot to death at his home in Detroit, Michigan. He was known to sell marijuana from his house and had many customers. According to the police, he was killed by two white men who entered his house and shot him with a shotgun at point-blank range. The shotgun was found inside the house, but it was allegedly contaminated by a police officer who touched it without gloves.
The police had two witnesses who claimed to have seen the killers. One was Thomas Culberson, who said he was at Karey’s house to buy drugs and saw two white men fleeing the scene in a car. He later identified Raymond Highers from a photo lineup as one of the suspects. The other was Jamie Lawrence, who said he overheard Tommy Highers talking about robbing and killing Karey. He also said that the Highers brothers owed money to Karey.
Based on these testimonies, the police arrested Tommy and Raymond Highers and charged them with first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, and possession of a firearm during a felony. They were both 21 years old at the time.
The Trial and Conviction of the Highers Brothers
The Highers brothers pleaded not guilty and maintained their innocence. They said they knew Karey but had only bought marijuana from him once. They also said they had driven many customers to his house and were on good terms with him. They had alibis for the night of the murder, but they were not verified by the police.
The trial was held in 1988 and lasted for two weeks. The prosecution relied on the eyewitness accounts of Culberson and Lawrence, who were both drug users and had criminal records. The defense argued that their testimonies were unreliable and inconsistent. They also pointed out that there was no physical evidence linking the Highers brothers to the crime scene. The shotgun was never tested for fingerprints or DNA, and no blood or gunshot residue was found on the Highers brothers’ clothes or car.
However, the jury was not convinced by the defense and found the Highers brothers guilty of all charges. They were sentenced to life in prison without parole. They appealed their convictions several times, but they were denied by the courts.
The New Evidence and the Release of the Highers Brothers
In 2009, a breakthrough came when a man named John Hielscher contacted the Highers brothers’ lawyers. He said he was at Karey’s house on the night of the murder and witnessed the shooting. He said he saw four black men, not two white men, enter the house and shoot Karey. He said he hid in the bathroom and escaped after the killers left. He also said he recognized one of the killers as a drug dealer named James Perry.
Hielscher said he never came forward because he was afraid of the police and the killers. He decided to speak up after he saw a Facebook post by Mary Evans, a friend of the Highers brothers, who was trying to find new evidence to prove their innocence. Hielscher contacted Evans and told her his story. Evans then contacted the lawyers and arranged a meeting with Hielscher.
Hielscher’s testimony was corroborated by seven other witnesses who also said they were at Karey’s house that night and saw four black men commit the murder. They all said they did not know the Highers brothers and had no reason to lie. They also said they did not come forward earlier because they were scared or did not think it mattered.
The new evidence was presented to Judge Lawrence Talon, who ordered a new trial for the Highers brothers in 2012. He also granted them bail and released them from prison after 26 years. The Highers brothers were reunited with their family and friends and celebrated their freedom. They also received $1.5 million each from the state of Michigan as compensation for their wrongful convictions.
The Death of Tommy Highers
Unfortunately, the Highers brothers did not get to enjoy their freedom for long. In 2014, the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed Judge Talon’s decision and reinstated their convictions. The court said the new evidence was not credible and did not warrant a new trial. The Highers brothers appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court, but they were denied a hearing in 2016.
The Highers brothers faced the possibility of going back to prison, but they did not give up hope. They filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Detroit and the police officers involved in their case, alleging civil rights violations and malicious prosecution. They also sought a pardon from the governor of Michigan, but they did not receive a response.
In the meantime, Tommy Highers tried to live a normal life. He got married, had a daughter, and worked as a carpenter. He also became an advocate for criminal justice reform and spoke at various events and podcasts. He said he wanted to help other innocent people who were wrongfully convicted and imprisoned.
However, his life was cut short on November 14, 2021, when he died unexpectedly. The cause of his death is still unknown to the public. His family and friends are devastated by his loss and are seeking answers. They are also demanding justice for him and his brother Raymond, who is still fighting to clear his name.
Tommy Highers was a man who suffered a great injustice and endured a long ordeal. He was a victim of a flawed system and a false accusation. He was a survivor and a fighter who never gave up hope. He was a loving husband, father, brother, and friend who touched many lives. He will be remembered as a man who deserved better and who deserved to live. May he rest in peace.
