George Calicut Jr. was freed on March 3, 2026, after his 1999 murder conviction was overturned due to a coerced confession and no DNA evidence linking him to the crime.

George Calicut Jr. was released on March 3, 2026, after a judge dismissed his 1999 murder conviction, following a joint request by prosecutors and his legal team. The conviction, based on a coerced confession written by retired Detroit detective Barbara Simon before Calicut signed it, was overturned due to misconduct and lack of evidence. DNA testing found no link between Calicut and the crime scene, and prosecutors acknowledged the confession was fabricated. Calicut, who maintained his innocence and admitted only to taking a phone from the victim’s son the next day, had served over 25 years. The Wayne County prosecutor’s office cited the case as a commitment to justice and system integrity.