APNewsBreak: Detroit hit man says kid is innocent

A Detroit hit man in prison for eight murders says he's willing to testify about four more and help clear a young man who claims he's innocent of the slayings.

Vincent Smothers tells The Associated Press that Davontae Sanford had nothing to do with four fatal shootings at a Detroit drug den in 2007. Smothers says there's no way he would have used a 14-year-old accomplice during his hired hits.

Smothers said during an interview Saturday that Sanford is "not guilty."

The now 19-year-old Sanford also is in prison. He pleaded guilty to the Runyon Street slayings but is seeking to have that plea thrown out. His lawyer says he confessed to satisfy police and didn't understand the consequences.

Smothers has never been charged in the Runyon Street case.

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