By Associated Press - Thursday, June 23, 2016

DETROIT (AP) - The Michigan Supreme Court has turned down an appeal by a Detroit-area drug dealer known as “White Boy Rick,” who wants a new sentence after nearly 30 years in prison for crimes as a teen.

The court let stand an appeals court decision that said Richard Wershe (WER’-she) Jr.’s sentence can’t be set aside because it was a legal punishment. The order was released Thursday.

Wershe tells WDIV-TV that judges on Michigan’s higher courts are “cowards.”



The 46-year-old has been in prison since he was 18. Wershe was convicted of possessing cocaine and given a life sentence. He’s been eligible for parole, but the parole board hasn’t released him.

A Detroit-area judge said Wershe was entitled to a new sentence based on several factors, but that decision was overturned.

Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.