107- Detroiter Ray Gray's EXCLUSIVE, FIRST Sit-Down Interview After 48 Years Wrongfully Imprisoned

In 1973, Detroit artist and award-winning boxer Ray Gray was accused of breaking into a local drug dealer’s home and fatally shooting him. Though none of the surviving occupants were able to identify the invaders, Ray became a focus of the investigation. Tunnel vision, corruption, faulty identification processes, suppressed evidence, and failure to investigate other suspects culminated in additional tragedy — refusing to admit his guilt, Ray was sentenced to life in prison without parole where he would remain for the next 48 years.

Ray's wrongful incarceration catalyzed a decades-long quest for freedom and truth. Collaborating with The Innocence Project and legendary Detroit journalist Bill Proctor, he accepted a plea deal from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office and was finally released from prison on May 25th, 2021, after nearly a half-century behind bars.

In this captivating installment, Ray sits down with Mike for his FIRST, exclusive interview following his release — a mere week after he obtained freedom. Ray and Mike cover the gamut of his experiences— how he found love while in prison, the role art played in helping him cope with incarceration, challenges readjusting to civilian status, his plans for the future as a free man, and more.

Show Notes

[00:02] Welcome to Open Mike

[01:08] Barbara Gray and Ray Gray, thank you both for coming on Open Mike. Ray, what was your first week out of prison, after 48 years, like for you?

[02:04] You’ve been in prison since 1973… to say the world has changed is an understatement. What are some of the things you’ve seen that were different?

[03:20] Ray is hesitant about lingering in stores for fear he’ll be accused of stealing something and be sent back to prison. He’s still adjusting to post-prison life and will be for a while.

[04:20] I can’t imagine the post-traumatic stress, and anxiety, and trauma you must be experiencing, dealing with all these new things.

[06:36] Quality of food and access to mobile devices after heavy telephone usage monitoring has been a hugely different experience compared to incarceration.

[07:37] As I’m reading the stories, and I got to meet your wife this morning, part of this is a love story! I want to bring your wife, Barbara, into the interview. Barbara, you met Ray in 1978 when he was already incarcerated for five years… how did you two meet?

[10:34] How many years had you been in the prison system teaching art before you met Ray?

[11:26] Was it love at first sight for you, Ray?

[12:48] There was a seven-year gap between your first meeting and your 1985 wedding in prison. How did that work — you were corresponding, you would see each other on weekends?

[15:19] Were you able to stand next to each other and get married in prison?

[16:04] You’ve never been able to sleep together in the same house for thirty-five years… what has this first week together been like?

[19:06] To set the stage, the original crime was the robbery and murder of Ruben Bryant on February 6th, 1973… three short months later, you were sentenced to life in prison. Your lawyer didn’t advise you to have a jury trial, so you had a bench trial under a less experienced judge… You’ve maintained your innocence all these years — did you know Ruben prior to the murder?

[20:39] You were home at the time of the murder and had at least four people with you who testified on your behalf. Who was your defense attorney back then? Was he court-appointed?

[23:11] There was one eyewitness who testified that you were part of the robbery that resulted in murder. Is that accurate? Could she pick you out of a lineup?

[24:51] Other than her eyewitness testimony, was there any other evidence that linked you to the scene of the murder?

[27:33] A mustache was the perpetrator’s only identifying factor the eyewitness honed in on. Ray happened to have a mustache when he went into the lineup — after being threatened by one of the police officers. The eyewitness identified Ray before he even stepped under the light.

[28:50] Many people fought for your innocence, including two people sitting in the room with us — former TV journalist Bill Proctor and former Michigan State police officer and deputy director of the Detroit Crime Commission, Ellis Stafford.

[29:13] Bill, you started reporting this story in a professional capacity but then started believing Ray’s story… can you take us on that journey and what compelled you to believe him?

[32:43] In 1980, a man named Charlie Matthews signed an affidavit admitting he was present at the scene of the crime, but then pled the fifth. So, as early as 1980, people were trying to help Ray — that’s forty plus years ago!

[34:49] Bill, you’ve been on the show multiple times and we’ve had many conversations with the U of M Innocence Clinic… these types of scenarios keep coming up. What they did to Ray is textbook and disgusting…

[35:27] Ellis, this is the first time we’ve met, thank you for coming on the show, sir. How did you get involved in Ray’s case?

[36:22] Ellis believes he and Bill were allowed to speak with Ray in prison because the wardens themselves believed Ray was innocent. They also allowed a polygraph test in 2012 that Ray passed.

[39:10] Ray, before this experience, you were a four-time Golden Glove boxing champion! Tell us about that, how did you get into boxing?

[40:17] Did you create art throughout the last 48 years in prison? Where is all this artwork now?

[43:04] Throughout Ray’s case, police were complicit in Brady Violations by withholding evidence that would have affected the outcome of the trial.

[46:07] Ray is discussing all the lack of evidence that implicated him… witnesses were on the floor, looking up at the suspect. Bill, where did all of this information come from?

[48:21] We’ve never interviewed someone who has maintained their innocence… yet, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy vacated your first-degree murder sentence, and asked you to please guilty to second-degree murder. You pled no contest, which they accepted and gave you a lesser sentence for time served which is when you were released from prison.

[50:43] Ray, when did you start having discussions with your lawyers over this outcome being a possibility? Was it days, weeks, months? Take us through the whole negotiation process of your plea deal

[52:25] The fact that you pled no contest to second-degree murder — you’re saying you can appeal that?

[55:10] You were sitting in prison for 48 years… what were you waiting for?

[57:15] Do you think the witness was the major holdup in your case?

[57:51] You said you’ve been waiting 48 years for the truth to come out… you’ve now been out of prison for a week. Do you feel that the truth came out?

[58:28] Marvin Bryant, the former Wayne County Sheriff actually thought you were the wrong man, is that correct?

[60:01] You’ve maintained your innocence, steadfast. Tell me about your decision to plead no contest to get out… how agonizing or easy was that process?

[61:00] One of the reasons Ray accepted the plea deal was due to health risks, including a 98% positive COVID-19 test rate, the highest of any prison in the country.

[01:01:03] If you had lied and admitted guilt to a parole board, do you think you would have gotten out sooner?

[01:02:28] You could be one of the most principled and patient people… did you think this day would come?

[01:04:11] I don’t think there’s anyone who could listen to you tell your story and not believe you.

[01:05:35] Is there a fight left in this scenario? What is your team telling you the next steps are?

[01:06:36] Because the conviction integrity unit didn’t get you an exoneration, you’re not entitled to Michigan’s Compensation Fund, which would entitle you to $50,000 for every year served — $2.5 million. Was that a bitter pill to swallow?

[01:08:26] Bill, I know you’re frustrated. Do you think an unwillingness to pay victim’s compensation played a role in any of this? What’s your perspective?

[01:09:56] In Ray’s case, why do you think they wouldn’t exonerate him?

[01:14:53] Ray, it sounds like you had a lot of supporters, but Bill Proctor especially did a lot for you while you were in prison. Have you been able to connect since your release? What would you like to say publicly to him?

[01:16:41] What does the future look like for you?

[01:20:06] I love that you’re an artist and art helped you through 48 long years, and that you’re still creating. I would love to see what you create…from the Mike Morse Foundation, we’re going to give you a donation toward your art supplies, so you can buy a whole lot of supplies, and canvasses, and I hope you’ll come back and show me some of your artistry.

[01:24:29] Out of the 107 episodes we’ve done, this is probably the most important, the most meaningful one. I really thank you for being so vulnerable, and opening up, and coming here so soon after your release. These stories are very important to hear, so people can educate themselves… your story is amazing, and I wish you and Barbara the best life together. You are quite a teacher. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[01:26:05] There you have it — Ray Gray’s story, incredibly powerful and moving. If you know somebody who needs to hear this episode, forward this to them. Listen, comment, like, and subscribe. Thank you for tuning in to Open Mike.