Report on Civil Lawsuit Highlighting Failures in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A civil rights lawsuit has been filed by Duane Smith, a Detroit man exonerated after serving 11 years for a wrongful conviction. The case, which involves allegations of evidence manipulation and suppressed reports by city and county officials, serves as a critical case study on the challenges to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The lawsuit seeks over $100 million in damages and exposes systemic failures that undermine public trust and the rule of law.

Case Background and Chronology

The lawsuit stems from Mr. Smith’s 2013 conviction for homicide and arson related to a 2012 house fire that resulted in two fatalities. After a decade of incarceration, new evidence prompted a review and his eventual exoneration.

1. 2012: A house fire on Fielding Street in Detroit results in the deaths of two individuals.
2. 2013: Duane Smith is arrested, convicted of second-degree murder, felony murder, and arson, and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
3. 2022: The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office Conviction Integrity Unit initiates a review of the case, uncovering previously undisclosed evidence.
4. June 2024: A Wayne County Circuit judge vacates Mr. Smith’s conviction and sentence, and he is released on bond.
5. October 2024: The state formally dismisses all charges against Mr. Smith.
6. July 2025: Mr. Smith files a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Detroit, Wayne County, and three employees from the police and fire departments.

Failure to Uphold SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

This case directly contravenes the principles of SDG 16, which aims to promote just, peaceful, and inclusive societies. The allegations point to a severe breakdown in the institutional mechanisms designed to ensure justice for all.

• Violation of Target 16.3 (Access to Justice): The wrongful conviction of Mr. Smith represents a fundamental denial of his right to a fair trial and equal access to justice. The subsequent legal battle to overturn the conviction highlights the immense barriers individuals face in correcting judicial errors.
• Erosion of Target 16.6 (Accountable and Transparent Institutions): The lawsuit alleges a conspiracy by state actors to manipulate an arson report, suppress exculpatory evidence, and suborn perjury. Such actions demonstrate a profound lack of accountability and transparency, weakening the very institutions meant to protect citizens.
• Institutional Weakness (Target 16.a): The failure to properly investigate the fire and the alleged intentional concealment of key findings indicate a critical weakness in institutional capacity. Strengthening these institutions is essential to prevent future miscarriages of justice.

Key Allegations and Suppressed Evidence

The complaint details a concerted effort to secure a conviction by illicit means, directly undermining the integrity of the judicial process.

Alleged Misconduct

• Intentional manipulation of the official arson investigation report.
• Suppression of exculpatory witness statements and crime scene photographs.
• Use of perjured testimony from a government expert witness.
• Undisclosed payment to a jail informant in exchange for testimony.

Suppressed Evidence

• A Zippo-style lighter found at the fire’s point of origin, which supported the defense theory of an accidental fire caused by careless smoking.
• 58 previously undisclosed photographs from the fire scene, including images of the lighter.
• The lead fire investigator’s original report classifying the fire’s cause as “indeterminate” with no evidence of arson.
• A 2023 re-evaluation by the original medical examiner stating that, with all information now available, the manner of death should be classified as “undetermined” rather than homicide.

Broader Implications for Sustainable Development

The impact of this wrongful conviction extends beyond the justice system, touching on several other core SDGs.

• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The case is an extreme example of an inequality of outcome, where a systemic failure results in the complete derailment of an individual’s life. It underscores the urgent need to eliminate practices that lead to such disparate and unjust results.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Over a decade of wrongful imprisonment inflicts severe and lasting trauma, directly opposing the goal of promoting mental and physical well-being.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The loss of 11 years of freedom and productivity represents a total denial of Mr. Smith’s right to participate in the economy and pursue decent work, creating immense barriers to future employment.

Current Status

The federal lawsuit is pending. The City of Detroit and Wayne County have declined to comment on the active litigation. The case continues to be a significant marker for judicial reform and the ongoing effort to build stronger, more accountable institutions in line with global development goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The primary SDG addressed in the article is:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Explanation: The article’s central theme is a failure of the justice system, leading to the wrongful conviction and imprisonment of Duane Smith. It details issues of evidence manipulation, suppression of exculpatory information, and potential perjury by officials within the police and fire departments. These actions directly undermine the principles of justice, accountability, and the rule of law, which are the core focus of SDG 16. The goal aims to “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.” The case of Duane Smith is a clear example of what happens when these institutions fail, and the subsequent efforts to overturn his conviction through a Conviction Integrity Unit represent an attempt to strengthen them.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article, the following targets under SDG 16 are relevant:

1. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

   Explanation: Duane Smith was denied access to justice when evidence that could have proven his innocence was withheld. The article states that “several pieces of undisclosed evidence favorable to his case” were discovered, including a lighter supporting the defense theory and an original fire report classifying the fire as indeterminate. His 11-year imprisonment for a crime that “did not occur” is a direct violation of the rule of law. The eventual vacation of his sentence represents a delayed, but crucial, step toward providing justice.

2. Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.

   Explanation: The lawsuit alleges severe misconduct that constitutes corruption. The complaint mentions “the intentional manipulation of an arson investigation report, suppression of exculpatory witness statements and photographs, a government expert witness lying under oath, an undisclosed payment in exchange for testimony, and the procurement of manipulated witness statements.” These actions represent a deep-seated corruption within the investigative and judicial process designed to secure a conviction rather than find the truth.

3. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

   Explanation: The case highlights a profound lack of accountability and transparency within the Detroit police and fire departments at the time of the investigation. The fact that defense counsel had to use “Freedom of Information Act requests in 2021” to obtain “58 previously undisclosed photographs” demonstrates a failure of institutional transparency. Conversely, the existence and actions of the “Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office Conviction Integrity Unit,” which reviewed the case and led to Smith’s release, is an example of an initiative aimed at building more accountable institutions.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several indicators that can measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator for Target 16.3 (Access to Justice): The number of wrongful convictions overturned. The article focuses on one specific case where a conviction was vacated after 11 years. The work of the “Conviction Integrity Unit” suggests that this is a measurable outcome used to assess and correct failures in the justice system.
• Indicator for Target 16.5 (Corruption): The number of official misconduct allegations within the justice system. The lawsuit’s detailed claims of “manipulating evidence, suborning perjury and orchestrating his wrongful conviction” serve as a qualitative indicator of corruption. Tracking the frequency of such allegations in legal complaints could be a quantitative measure.
• Indicator for Target 16.6 (Accountable Institutions): The establishment and effectiveness of institutional oversight mechanisms. The article explicitly mentions the “Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office Conviction Integrity Unit” as the body that reviewed the case. The successful overturning of Smith’s conviction is a direct measure of this unit’s effectiveness in holding the justice system accountable for its past errors.
• Indicator for Target 16.6 (Transparent Institutions): The number of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests required to obtain case evidence. The article notes that crucial evidence was only obtained “through Freedom of Information Act requests in 2021.” A reduction in the need for such requests to access basic exculpatory evidence would indicate an increase in institutional transparency.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: freep.com