Two Detroit men charged with kidnapping Walter Swift and stealing his furniture and other items — an incident highlighted in a recent MT cover story about the difficulties exonerated prisoners face once they are released ("Swift's Justice," Nov. 18) — pleaded guilty last week in Wayne County Circuit Court.
Detroit residents Leonard Duplessis, 23, and Cortez McAdoo, 22, had been scheduled for trial in the May incident, but in a deal with Wayne County prosecutors pleaded guilty to extortion and armed robbery. Duplessis also pleaded to a felony firearms charge. Kidnapping charges were dismissed for both men. Duplessis was remanded to custody, and McAdoo was to be freed on an electronic tether.
Both men are scheduled for sentencing Jan. 6; Duplessis faces 5-20 years in prison and McAdoo faces 4-20 years.
Their victim, Swift, was released from prison in May 2008 after evidence that wasn't introduced at trial exonerated him of a rape. He had served 26 years in prison. Swift testified at the men's preliminary examinations that they had kidnapped him because he owed Duplessis money for drugs.
News Hits was written by Metro Times staff writer Sandra Svoboda. You can reach her at 313-202-8015 or ssvoboda@metrotimes.com
