A Michigan man was acquitted of sexual assault after 35 years in prison

ALBION, Mich. (AP) – A man accused of breaking into a home and sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in southwest Michigan has been released from prison after 35 years after authorities agreed he was convicted of error

Louis Wright’s 1988 convictions were thrown out by a judge Thursday at the request of the Calhoun County prosecutor and the attorney general’s office.

“New DNA evidence excluded Mr. Wright as the perpetrator,” the attorney general’s office said.

The Cooley Law School Innocence Projectwho represents Wright, said a false confession and a no-contest plea caused his decades in prison.

In 1988, police investigating the assault of a girl in Albion, 100 miles west of Detroit, identified Wright as a suspect after an off-duty officer reported seeing him in the neighborhood

Police said Wright confessed, although the interview was not recorded and he did not sign a confession, according to the Innocence Project.

“The victim was never asked to identify anyone in or out of court,” the Innocence Project said.

Wright, now 65, eventually pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison. He later tried to withdraw his request, but the request was denied.

An email seeking additional comment from the Innocence Project was not immediately returned Friday. It is unclear why Wright decided to plead no contest, which is treated as a guilty plea for sentencing purposes.

“Mr. Wright has always maintained his innocence,” the Innocence Project said in a written statement.

Prosecutor David Gilbert said the case is being reopened.

“There is no justice without truth. It applies to everyone,” he said.

Wright could be eligible for $1.75 million under a state law that awards $50,000 for each year spent in prison for a conviction overturned based on new evidence.