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Gary man to be released from prison after almost 24 years

CROWN POINT, Ind. (AP) – A 47-year-old Gary man will walk free after spending nearly 24 years in prison for robbery and murder convictions.

Lake County Prosecutor Bernard A. Carter said Wednesday afternoon that he dismissed all of the pending charges against Willie T. Donald.

His convictions were vacated Monday after the court ruled that a woman’s identification of Donald in the 1992 case was flawed and that Gary police hid that from Donald and his trial attorney. The prosecutor’s office was ordered to decide whether to retry Donald or let him go when he’s brought from the Indiana State Prison on Thursday.

His attorney told The (Munster) Times that Donald was still being held in jail Wednesday under a routine protocol to ensure he isn’t wanted by any other court.