Band of Brothers exonerees attend Better Together luncheon

Members of the Band of Brothers and the National Organization of Exonerees gathered on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, for the Better Together BBQ luncheon at the Detroit Chapter of the NAACP.

Darryl Woods and Larry Smith Jr., both of Detroit, shared a laugh with Detroit Police Officer Errol Franklin while the food was grilled. Woods’ sentence was commuted by former Gov. Rick Snyder after he served 28 years and 11 months in prison. Smith was exonerated after serving 26 years, 10 months, and seven days for a crime he did not commit.

Exonerees Kevin Harrington, of Inkster, and Larry Smith Jr. shared a laugh with Officer Franklin before the barbecue. Band of Brothers member Darryl Woods spoke with Joseph Robinson and the teenager’s mentor, Kirk Kelsey, both of Detroit.

Band of Brothers members Darrell Siggers, of Redford, and Kevin Harrington greeted each other as Doug Bartell, a chief neighborhood liaison officer with the Detroit Police Department, watched. Siggers was exonerated after spending 34 years in prison, and Harrington after spending “17 years, six months, two days and 35 minutes,” as he describes it — both for crimes the men did not commit.

Attendees prayed together before the luncheon. Siggers was served by SAY Detroit’s Marc ‘Rosey’ Rosenthal, then stood to address the room alongside Darryl Woods.

Exoneree Marvin Cotton, of Detroit, also addressed the gathering. He was exonerated after serving 19 years, seven months, and 12 days in prison for a crime he did not commit.