Dennis Elliot | 148343
Dennis Elliot | 148343
148343
0204744-01
04/30/1954
Murder
08/17/1986
11/05/2002
Life
Wayne County,
Conviction Integrity Units, College Law Clinic
Dennis Elliot | 148343
My name is Dennis Elliot. In 1986 I was arrested and charged with the August 17, 1986, shooting that killed Howard Smith at 13620 Cherrylawn Street in Detroit, MI. This 1986 case was dismissed by Judge Nancy M. Blount, because she found the testimony of Aaron Heard, the sole witness, was not credible and could not be trusted.
In 2002, sixteen years later, I was arrested and charged for the same 1986 homicide, and Aaron Heard was once again their sole witness.
On August 16 and 17, 1986, I was at my sister, Yolanda Elliot’s, wedding reception located at the Ferndale Community Center until at least 1:00 AM. I have at least 12 affidavits from people that were with me at the wedding and reception until it ended at 1:00 AM. Furthermore, I have at least 63 other wedding attendees that will provide proof that I was at my sister’s wedding reception at the time of Howard Smith’s murder.
On June 17, 2020, I had my Professional Investigator Steve Crane of ACS Investigations locate Aaron Heard. Heard’s last known address was in Oak Park, but the neighbor stated that Heard no longer lived there.
Crane called Aaron Heard and conducted a recorded interview. During the interview, Crane asked Heard if Dennis Elliot was the person who shot and killed Howard Smith. Heard stated he heard the shooting, but did not see the shooting. When asked if Dennis Elliott was the shooter, Heard stated, “I have no idea, no clue” and then hung up the phone; and has since blocked Crane from calling him.
Crane stated that during the course of this investigation there were allegations made by several of the people that the police coerced Mr. Heard to testify against Mr. Elliott and even picked him up and took him to a hotel the night before the 2002 trial to make sure he showed up to testify. Without being asked or prompted, Heard freely admitted: “that the police did not pick him up and take him to a hotel." (See Crane report)
It should be noted in 2018, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Wayne County Prosecutors' office requesting my prosecutor file. The request was denied as the prosecutor’s office said they could not locate the file. In 2020 my investigator sent a request to the 36th District court requesting transcripts of my 1986 trial. My investigator received a response that all video/audio/digital and logs prior to 12/31/2011 have been destroyed.
I am asking the innocence clinic to investigate my case of actual innocence. If you have any questions please contact me at:
Dennis Elliott #148343
Macomb Correctional Facility
34625 - 26 Mile Rd.
Lenox Township, MI 48048
WWW.Jpay.com Dennis Elliott
or my Investigator
Steve Crane
7195 Cooley Lake Rd,
West Bloomfield Township, MI 48324
Phone: (248) 363-1360