Chazlee Lemons

The Michigan Supreme Court has overturned the 2006 conviction of Milton “Chazlee” Lemons in the 2005 death of her infant daughter—an alleged case of shaken baby syndrome—and granted her a new trial. The Michigan Innocence Clinic has been representing Lemons since 2015.

“We are thrilled that after nearly a decade of litigation, Chazlee Lemons will finally be receiving a new trial,” said Dave Moran, ’91, clinical professor of law and co-founder of the Michigan Innocence Clinic, who retired from the clinic days after the decision was handed down.

“When she was convicted, shaken baby syndrome (SBS) was thought to be an almost incontrovertible diagnosis,” Moran continued. “Even though numerous medical and lay witnesses testified that Nakita Lemons appeared to be choking on formula when she stopped breathing, no one countered the testimony of the State’s pathologist that she had actually been shaken to death. Years later, that same pathologist changed his mind in light of all of the challenges to SBS, and we presented five new witnesses who agreed Nakita’s symptoms were consistent with choking. Finally, a new jury will get to hear all of the evidence supporting Chazlee’s innocence.”