PEOPLE OF MI V WILLIAM MORTON

Court of Appeals, State of Michigan
ORDER
PEOPLE OF MI V WILLIAM MORTON
Docket No. 380807
LC No. 08-018563-03-FJ
Christopher M. Murray
Presiding Judge
Mark T. Boonstra
Colleen A. O’Brien
Judges
The motion to waive fees is GRANTED for this case only.
The motion to “accept pleadings as-is” is GRANTED.
The motion to supplement the appendix is GRANTED.
Pursuant to MCR 7.205(E)(2), in lieu of granting the delayed application, the trial court’s
November 19, 2025 order is VACATED IN PART, and the matter REMANDED for further proceedings
consistent with this order. Defendant filed a motion for relief from judgment via counsel seeking
resentencing, and then a pro se motion to amend or supplement that motion raising additional issues. We
do not disturb the trial court’s order to the extent it granted resentencing, as that issue has not been
challenged in this Court. However, with regard to the issues raised in defendant’s pro se supplement, we
remand for reconsideration. Defendant’s pro se supplement raises claims of newly discovered evidence and
included affidavits from certain individuals claiming that a detective interfered with the investigation. The
trial court’s opinion addresses the claims as having been brought under Brady v Maryland, 373 US 83; 83
S Ct 1194; 10 L Ed 2d 215 (1963), and asserts that the claim is based only on alleged misconduct by this
same detective in unrelated cases. This analysis is incorrect. Defendant raised a claim of newly discovered
evidence, see People v Cress, 468 Mich 678; 664 NW2d 174 (2003), and presented affidavits that, if
believed, indicate the detective’s direct involvement in this case. Because the trial court has misconstrued
defendant’s pro se motion, we vacate that portion of the November 19, 2025 order addressing defendant’s
pro se motion to amend or supplement the motion for relief from judgment and remand for reconsideration
of that motion only.
This order is to have immediate effect. MCR 7.215(F)(2). We do not retain jurisdiction.
_______________________________
Presiding Judge
September 16, 2026
A true copy entered and certified by Jerome W. Zimmer Jr. , Chief Clerk, on
Date

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