Two Black Men Freed After Convictions Overturned In Case Involving Discredited Detective Who Died By Apparent Suicide

Two men, Dominique Moore, 40, and Cedric Warren, 34, were freed after their 2009 double homicide convictions were overturned. Both had been serving life sentences for the fatal shootings of Charles Ford and Larry Ledoux in Kansas City, Kansas. Their release followed revelations of prosecutorial misconduct, with a judge finding that key evidence—severe mental health issues of a crucial witness—had been withheld. The witness, diagnosed with schizophrenia, provided inconsistent accounts of the events.

"I'm just thankful that the court has seen the wrong that has happened in my case," Moore stated after his release from a Kansas prison. He expressed gratitude and excitement to enjoy basic freedoms, like eating barbecue after 15 years of incarceration. Warren, too emotional to speak to reporters, was embraced by family and friends, with his father, Cedric Toney, remarking, "I really want to cry, but I can't. That's how overwhelmed I am."

Their convictions were linked to Roger Golubski, a now-discredited detective accused of widespread misconduct, including sexually exploiting vulnerable women and threatening their families. Golubski’s alleged misconduct parallels another high-profile case involving Lamonte McIntyre, wrongfully imprisoned for 23 years. Although Golubski's role was not the basis for overturning the convictions, his history casts a long shadow over Kansas City’s justice system. Golubski recently died by suicide before standing trial for federal charges.

Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree announced he would not retry the cases, stating, "It's not about getting the conviction. It's about getting a just outcome and doing what is right." Dupree emphasized changes under his administration, including training for fairness and digitizing old cases to address past misconduct.

Family members, including Warren's cousin Brittany Robinson, celebrated the release, remembering Warren's mother’s dying wish: "Don't quit fighting until my baby come home." The Midwest Innocence Project, instrumental in their release, launched fundraisers to support the men. Attorney Cheryl Pilate signaled ongoing investigations, saying, "It is absolutely not the last one."

Moore and Warren now look forward to rebuilding their lives, a bittersweet reminder of the justice system’s failures.

Link: CBSNews