Dateline NBC Graduation Night
29 snips
Jan 14, 2026 A Facebook post unearths a 1987 murder case, leading to shocking revelations. An affidavit implicates others and questions the convictions of the Hires brothers. Multiple witnesses recount mistaken identity on a night filled with fear. A private investigator shines new light, sparking hope for justice. As family ties and faith endure, the brothers' lives hang in the balance during a tense court hearing. Finally, a judge grants relief, marking a significant turn in a long-fought battle for truth and freedom.
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A Single Facebook Post Sparked Justice
- Mary Evans posted a nostalgic line in a Northeast Detroit Facebook group and unexpectedly triggered a chain of events.
- That single post set off Kevin Zelenewski's memory and began the effort to free the Hires brothers.
Old Roommate's Memory Reopened The Case
- Kevin remembered John Helsher's 1993 story about being at Old Man Bob's the night he was shot and contacted him.
- John gave an affidavit and then passed a lie detector test confirming his account.
Conviction Based On Limited, Flawed Evidence
- The original case hinged on a single eyewitness who identified Ray Hires and a jailhouse informant pointing to Tommy.
- Those limited, flawed sources led to convictions despite weak physical evidence.