DETROIT —

An 80-year-old man who was handed a life sentence six decades ago walked out of a Muskegon prison a free man Tuesday after his sentence was commuted by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

The Michael Thompson Clemency Project (MTCP) said William “Fitlo” Hunt was 21 in 1965 when he participated in an armed robbery with his brother. According to MTCP, Hunt was unarmed and “had no intention of hurting anyone,” and it was his brother who killed the cashier. They also said Hunt refused to testify against his brother and was handed a life sentence.

They said Hunt has maintained his innocence all these years.

Hunt had a commutation hearing for his life sentence for first-degree murder in November 2024, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections website .

Now, at 80 yea

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