PONTIAC, Mich., Nov. 21 (UPI) -- A Michigan man convicted in a killing outside a biker club has been granted a new trial after a judge learned an alleged eyewitness who testified was lying.
The 2007 incident in Pontiac, Mich., led to Daniel "Little Dog" Butler's conviction and life sentence on a first-degree murder charge following the fatal shooting that killed Cameron Lardell, 31, and wounded three others Jan. 20 outside the Pontiac Night Riders motorcycle club, the Detroit News said Wednesday.
Butler maintained his innocence at trial. He was convicted in part due to supposed eyewitness testimony from Johnny Young Hodges, but Butler's family produced evidence proving Hodge was in prison at the time of the shooting and couldn't possibly have seen it happen, the newspaper said.
"He has a history of dishonesty and theft, and it's surprising no one ever checked his whereabouts when he said he saw the murder," said Butler's attorney, Mitchell Ribitwer. "Butler maintains his innocence and said he didn't shoot anybody."
Butler remains jailed without bond pending the new trial, which has been scheduled for April.
