Detroit Fire Commissioner Charles Simms has confirmed for the first time that he conducted an interview with Mario Willis, a man who claims to have been wrongfully convicted of murdering Walter Harris, a firefighter who died in a blaze in 2008. The video of the interview, which was released during a hearing in Willis's case, shows Simms asking Willis about his activities on the night of the fire and validating some of the information he had previously told police.
Willis, who is currently serving a prison sentence for second-degree murder, claims that the interview with Simms supports his claim of innocence. However, prosecutors have argued that the interview was not disclosed to Willis's defense team during his trial in 2010, which could be considered a Brady violation.
Simms had previously refused to discuss the video with Metro Times in 2022, and even after WDIV Channel 4 reported on Willis's possible innocence, Simms remained silent. It was only when the prosecutor asked him to testify at the hearing that he finally acknowledged conducting the interview.
The release of the video has raised questions about the handling of the case by the Detroit Fire Department and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. In 2023, the Conviction Integrity Unit reviewed Willis's case but denied his request for exoneration.
Willis claims that the prosecution rested on a false narrative during his trial, citing a statement made by the prosecutor that he had tried to deceive the court by telling Megan, his wife, to lie on the witness stand. This, combined with the fact that the fire was an accident and not arson, has led Willis's supporters to believe that he is innocent.
The case highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the justice system, particularly when it comes to cases involving law enforcement and prosecutors. The release of the video has brought new attention to Willis's case, and his supporters are hoping that it will lead to a re-examination of his conviction.
Willis, who is currently serving a prison sentence for second-degree murder, claims that the interview with Simms supports his claim of innocence. However, prosecutors have argued that the interview was not disclosed to Willis's defense team during his trial in 2010, which could be considered a Brady violation.
Simms had previously refused to discuss the video with Metro Times in 2022, and even after WDIV Channel 4 reported on Willis's possible innocence, Simms remained silent. It was only when the prosecutor asked him to testify at the hearing that he finally acknowledged conducting the interview.
The release of the video has raised questions about the handling of the case by the Detroit Fire Department and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. In 2023, the Conviction Integrity Unit reviewed Willis's case but denied his request for exoneration.
Willis claims that the prosecution rested on a false narrative during his trial, citing a statement made by the prosecutor that he had tried to deceive the court by telling Megan, his wife, to lie on the witness stand. This, combined with the fact that the fire was an accident and not arson, has led Willis's supporters to believe that he is innocent.
The case highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the justice system, particularly when it comes to cases involving law enforcement and prosecutors. The release of the video has brought new attention to Willis's case, and his supporters are hoping that it will lead to a re-examination of his conviction.
. The fact that Willis is now claiming his innocence is definitely something to consider, and the prosecution's side hasn't given us much to think about yet 
. What's really puzzling here is that there's still no clear explanation for why Simms kept mum all these years... was he hiding something? 
The lack of transparency is staggering, especially considering the severity of the conviction. It's not just Mario Willis's case, though - this could be a systemic issue that needs to be addressed. We need to make sure that our justice system values truth over conviction and doesn't sweep mistakes under the rug. 
. The fact that they reviewed Willis's case in 2023 but still didn't give him a free pass is just plain unfair 
. The justice system needs some serious shake-up, you feel? Maybe now, with this new video out, we'll get some real answers and see if Mario can finally clear his name 
. It's like they were trying to keep the truth under wraps 
. And now that it is out, it raises so many questions about the whole process 
. How did Simms not disclose this during Willis's trial? 
. And what was going on behind closed doors at the DFP and Prosecutor's office? 
This is a clear case of justice being served... eventually 
. The fact that they finally acknowledged conducting the interview after all these years just goes to show how messed up the system can be 
. We need more transparency, not less 
. And it's about time someone started holding our law enforcement and prosecutors accountable for their actions 
.
this is crazy! 
I mean, a fire commissioner finally comes forward with new info on a murder case after 12 years? 
The fact that prosecutors didn't disclose the video to Willis's defense team in his trial is a major red flag 
. And now we're seeing that maybe, just maybe, he was wrongly convicted 
. More transparency, more accountability... it's time for a change 
.
Oh my gosh, I'm just so glad to see this new development in Mario Willis's case!!! 
The fact that the video of the interview between Simms and Willis is out now is like, totally amazing news! 
It's heartbreaking that he was wrongly convicted in the first place, but it's like, finally some truth is coming out! 
And I'm all about transparency and accountability in the justice system - it's time for us to know what really happened. 
. what i want to see now is how this all plays out in court... justice should be served, no matter what side you're on 
Prosecutors think they're above the law just 'cause they're wearing badges...
Simms is finally talking... too little, too late?
he's been in prison for 15 years for something he might not even done 
or is this just a last minute attempt to save his rep? gotta say though, brady violation much? 2022 you were super shady, simms