from the neighbors some two hours after Wershe was arrested, testified the box Rick Wershe, Kym Worthy and Justice for All. Wershe put himself at risk with his role in the drug sting operation that ensnared corrupt cops so the Justice Department put him in the Witness Security or WitSec program. During the film, he states: 'I am sorry to say, the legend of White Boy Rick, is just not true. The 46-year-old inmate, who was considered to be a drug kingpin by Detroit police, was tried under a draconian 'lifer' law which has since been abolished by the U.S. Supreme Court. Vince Wade won three Emmys and the top award for best local TV news documentary at the New York Film festival. Last week, after an eight-month FBI investigation, 11 current and former police officers and five civilians were charged in a scheme to provide protection for drug dealers and money launderers. Three attempts on his life are believed to have been uncovered. He told the reporter: 'I embarrassed a lot of people. None of it matters for the informant-inmate who helped end some of the drug-related public corruption in Detroit. Wershe and his mother Darlene are pictured during a prison visit several years ago at the Oaks Correctional Facility in Michigan. The law was eventually changed to allow parole but that hasnt made a difference for Wershe. this couldnt be the same box, Wershe remembers Bufalino saying. According to interview with people who knew Cathy, she was entranced by the emerging gang scene, especially with the flashy money. If you check the "Remember me" box, you will be automatically signed in for 30 days to TIME.com when you visit in the future. Wrong. Animal rescuer who nursed injured red fox back to health is shocked to find his fur was actually white - but Now the Army is sent in to hospitals: Hundreds of troops will be deployed THIS WEEK to help out the NHS DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Not too late for nurses to hit pause on strikes. Three attempts on his life are believed to have been uncovered. He made subsequent requests for hearings in 2007 and 2012, but was turned down. same place that we are.", A: That he had things going on behind the scenes. His next opportunity to request a hearing, which comes up every five years, is not until December 2017, according to the Detroit News. Volsan claimed that he was just trying to scam the federal agents. By withdrawing the evidence suppression motion, Bell and Gardner left Wershe without an issue to appeal should he be convicted. He was sentenced to prison for life. A baby-faced Wershe was recruited as an informant by the FBI in 1984, mainly because his father had done the same, and he was trusted by a black family who were being investigated, the Daily Beast reported. The neighbors said when Johnny Curry, the leader, was married to Cathy Volsan, the attractive niece of Mayor Coleman Young, the self-proclaimed head motherfucker in charge for 20 years. Bufalinos motion made sense because Wershes fingerprints werent on the drugs. Last week, after an eight-month FBI investigation, 11 current and former police officers and five civilians were charged in a scheme to provide protection for drug dealers and money launderers. To be sure, this is not a case of an innocent man in prison. Hill was a local celebrity because he played the role of Eddie Murphys boss in the Beverly Hills Cop movies. Sometime in the 1980s, Cathy started dating and eventually married Johnny Curry, one of the brothers leading the Curry criminal organization. It was with his informant work on trips like this that meant the FBI was able to get permission for wiretaps and listening devices trained on Johnny Curry. Cathy volsan curry is the mayor's niece white boy rick the correct movie created by protozoa pictures, studio 8, which has a description of the movie is the story of teenager, richard wershe jr my sister speak french when she was only six years old the Either the neighbor-witnesses are a TIME subscriber. A documentary has unearthed explosive claims police officers ordered a hit on 17-year-old drug dealer turned FBI informant Richard Wershe after he helped take down corrupt cops and a mayor's brother-in-law. McGraw, B. By this time Johnny Curry was in jail and his wife, Cathy, who was several years older than Wershe, boldly approached him and suggested they have a fling. Cathy Volsan-Curry was said to be Coleman Youngs favorite niece. later. it?". defense team; attorneys Ed Bell and Sam Gardner. shut. Prosecutor Worthy fought the judges decision in the state court of appeals, which ruled against the judge on a technicality. His parents split in a bitter divorce, his sister Dawn was addicted to drugs and his father was a business hustler frequently on the edge of the law. She had struggled with drug addiction most of her life, and as per reports, she even He was undercover while crack cocaine was taking over cities across America, replacing heroin as the illegal drug of choice. Richard J. Wershe, Jr. in court, September, 2015 (David Coates, Detroit News via AP). Now a 47-year-old man, White Boy Rick was a former Detroit drug dealer and an FBI informant. This is one way through which the DPD misused their powers. He had one hearing, in 2003, and was denied. But Volsan, Harris, and nearly a dozen police officers were indicted and convicted. they retrieved the box it was taped shut. Is this the dawn of unlimited clean energy? Wershe had a shopping The same study noted metro Detroit narcotics arrests grew from 9,000 in 1986 to nearly 16,000 in 1988.. considers enough evidence to decide whether the case should go to a juryone of of cocaine, not eight. I dont think so.'. Sergeant Harris was on duty, meaning he was being paid by the DPD, while he was looking out for Cathy. It was sold at auction for a cancer charity, Darlene McCormick in the courtroom sits in a Detroit courtroom during a hearing about her son's prposed re-sentencing. In the summer of 1986 Rick Wershe Jr. decided to become a weight man, a cocaine wholesaler. Typically, the Curry brothers led their drug-dealing gang The Curry Trafficking Ring. He was nowhere near me'. He is with his late grandfather Ray Wershe and friend Dave Majkowski. While doing his job in homicide, he was also tasked with helping members of Coleman Youngs family, specifically Cathy Volsan - the mayors niece. him as a paid informant and left him to fend for himself as a school dropout Inspector Gil Hill, an officer who worked with the curry family, was a major politician in Detroit at the time and had helped Volsan for a brief time. Should I be paying for it 27 years later? In legal terms that fits the definition of cruel and unusual punishment in the Eighth Amendment. One of those connects was a suburban man named Art Derrick who owned a small fleet of aircraft which enabled him to bring drugs from Miami to Detroit easily and quickly. Any fair-minded person considering a man for parole would Johnny Curry, the leader of the racket, was married to Cathy Volsan, the attractive niece of the then Mayor Coleman Young, who had constantly been on the feds' radar. His youngest child, a son, would be born shortly after he was incarcerated. The movie's inclusion of a third Curry brother, Ruddell "Boo" Curry (RJ Cyler) is also accurate, though as the youngest he didn't face as harsh a punishment as Johnny, or "Lil Man," and Leo, or "Big Man.". He was sent to watch the Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns fight, armed with money from the federal agents and fake identification. And he was convicted. Johnny Curry, the leader, was married to Cathy Volsan, the attractive niece of Mayor Coleman Young, the self-proclaimed head motherfucker in charge for 20 years. It is being made by thesame team behind Showtime's 'A Murder in the Park,' a film that helped free wrongfully-convicted prisoner, Alstory Simon. Though the City of Detroit and the DPD sometimes found each other on different sides, they were united against the DEA and FBI. His next opportunity to request a hearing, which comes up every five years, is not until December 2017, according to the Detroit News. Johnny curry was married to cathy volsan, the hot young niece of former detroit mayor coleman young, now deceased. Long-time attorney Ralph Musilli told the Detroit Newsin September: 'How can you give up a man's life? James Harris, was a member of Mayor Young's security detail. taken to a hospital instead of jail that night. He is currently serving time at the Oaks Correctional Facility in Manistee. A neighbor/witness said the box was taped Groman paid his own way from Nevada to Michigan for Wershes parole hearing. James Harris, was a member of Mayor Young's security detail. According to the FBI, the curry brothers sold $150 to $200 million worth of drugs in the 1980s. He came from a lower-middle class family. James Harris, a member of Youngs security detail. bag of cash but no drugs. 'They got me involved in this. to try to become a drug wholesaler after the federal drug task force dropped At prison for being a cocaine kingpin in his city. In a sworn affidavit before he died from complications of drug abuse, Derrick said he had two customers named Rick. Musilli said Wershe has even helped Florida authorities crack drug cases while locked up in that state in the early 2000s. "Who Killed Damion Lucas? Yet when the police took custody of the box that night, According to interview with people who knew Cathy, she was entranced by the emerging gang scene, especially with the flashy money. (Bufalino and Young are deceased, so neither can be questioned about it.). eight kilos. He was a veteran of the department for 30 years, and he was admired by many people in the DPD and the Mayor's office. He writes a blog focused on the Wershe saga called Informant America on thedimedroppers.com. They told Wershe to inform Cathy Volsan Curry one of his trusted 'connects' from Miami needed police protection. she saw Wershe walking between houses toward her house carrying a large box. In 2003. Another retired FBI agent, John Anthony, was the legal adviser for the Detroit FBI office when Wershe helped develop prosecutions. They have a Facebook group which keep supporters updated about developments in his case. He is pictured being led into court in 1988, Convicted drug kingpin Johnnie Curry also claims that his crimes were far worse than Wershe's - but he was released earlier. The decades-long effort to keep Wershe in prison smacks of a political machine vendetta against someone who dared help the FBI root out big-city corruption. The comments below have been moderated in advance. Long-time attorney Ralph Musilli told the Detroit News in September: 'How can you give up a man's life? Curry had been on the Detroit FBI's investigative radar because he was engaged to, and later married to, Cathy Volsan, the favorite niece of Detroit's politically powerful mayor, Coleman Young RJ Cyler as Rudell 'Boo' Curry Now open for walk-in purchasing 7 days a week Their marriage failing, Victoria and Izu try to reconnect during a road trip The FBI arrested Harris in 1991 along Cathy Volsan Curry, the troubled niece of Mayor Coleman Young who has figured in three major federal criminal investigations, was hospitalized Friday after a drug overdose. Cathy Volsan Curry (FBI Surveillance photo). 'I honestly believe that this is the prostituting of our youth, and then just throwing them in a cage and throwing the key away.'. FBI agent Gregg Schwartz, who investigated some of Detroit's drug rings and other corruption, said drug dealers and murderers have been freed while Wershe still languishes behind bars. Wershe is pictured sitting (right) at a family event in the mid 1970s. 'I did way more than he could possibly have ever done to get that kind of a sentence.'. For Wershe's parole review in 2003, the Wayne County prosecutor, Mike Duggan, sent a scathing letter to the Michigan Parole Board opposing his release, He reportedly accused Wershe of being a 'gang leader' and 'violent kingpin' who intimidated witnesses who 'just disappeared. was definitely open when he took custody of it. 'It did work out great for TV stations and their news ratings, as well as politicians who needed a scapegoat for a big city in decline. in it, a most unusual thing for a mayor to do; meddle in a criminal case. For more information, please visit TIME's Privacy Policy. Groman says the FBI had been focused on heroin cases because that was the dominant illegal drug until crack cocaine arrived. ', He added: 'Third world countries don't incarcerate like this.'. Cathy Curry's birthday is 03/24/1963 and is 58 years old.Cathy calls Detroit, MI, home.Cathy also answers to Cathy V Curry, Cathy G Curry, Cathy G Volsan and Cathy Germaine-volsan Curry, and perhaps a couple of other names. 'I honestly believe that this is the prostituting of our youth, and then just throwing them in a cage and throwing the key away.'. Wershe got in trouble while in a federal prison in Florida for trying to buy a car for his mother and sister with the help of a friend on the outside. The Detroit FBI was keenly interested in the cocaine wheeling and dealing of the Curry Brothers, an east side gang of suspected traffickers. As one FBI agent put it, We Young had members of his Detroit police security detail assigned to insulate his high-living, drug-using niece from law enforcement trouble. Even though Wershe Jr. helped police to arrest the Curry brothers, he remained entangled with the drug dealers of Detroit, and he (ironically) ended up facing more jail time than Johnny and Leo. The film, '650 LIFER: The Legend of White Boy Rick', documents the life of Wershe Jr, whowas given a life sentence in 1988 for a non-violent drug crime when he was just 17 . In January 1988, he was incarcerated at the age of 17 for a non-violent drug crime. (Cathy Volsan Curry has repeatedly refused to speak with reporters over the years.). His legal team believe he has been wronged by the legal system and his family are constantly pushing for him to be freed. certainly embarrassed in equal measure to have his favorite niece sleeping with a young white The FBI questioned her and contacted her during Operation Brown Shark to carry out their sting operation to catch her father, Willie Volsan, and Sergeant Jimmy Harris for illegal drug trafficking. Hill was by now a major Detroit politician with his own growing political power base. It was Derrick who gave Wershe the nickname White Boy Rick. "'Theres no box. bigger than you think it is.". the neck and chain, while handcuffed, over a fence gate. He lives in the Los Angeles area where he is working on a book on Rick Wershe. closely allied with Coleman Young. 'Choreographed' routine sees Harry putting on 'alpha After bombshell opening episodes of Harry and Meghan's Netflix series, are next three installments set to be Alabama soulman behind Land Of A Thousand Dances song Meghan and Harry chose for their first dance: Wilson Five are confirmed dead in Jersey 'gas' blast and four residents are still missing as 'painstaking' recovery M&Co collapses in latest High Street blow with nearly 2,000 jobs at risk two weeks before Christmas. Wershe had made the wrong enemies in Detroit politics. However, it is important to acknowledge that there is no concrete proof that either person was involved in the way that they were accused of being involved. Several past Informant Rick Wershes salvation may be political. A teenage neighbor claims would put hizzoner over the edge. Click here to keep updated on Rick's case. People who knew Cathy had stated that she was attracted to the gang scene and was always surrounded by drugs and other illegal activities. Among those arrested: Mayor Coleman Young's niece Cathy Volsan-Curry and her father, Willie Clyde Volsan Jr. Cathy Volsan Curry was married to co-leader of the Curry Trafficking Ring, Johnny Curry. When Bell took over Wershes defense he quickly withdrew a Bufalino pretrial motion challenging the drug evidence in the Wershe arrest. The leader, Johnny Curry, was engaged to Cathy Volsan, the niece of then-Mayor Coleman Young. grams of cocaine must serve a mandatory life without parole sentence. Lengel, A. He is thrown to the ground, then Grandison and another officer Volsan then introduced the agent to various police officers willing to take bribes to provide protection for what they believed were drug and cash shipments through Detroit. Johnny Curry, the leader, was married to Cathy Volsan, the attractive niece of Mayor Coleman Young, the self-proclaimed head motherfucker in charge for 20 years. A teaser trailer sent to DailyMail.com by Transition Studios shows interviews with a number of former FBI agents and attorneys who all say they knew corrupt cops were involved in the case, and believe Wershe should have been freed years ago. Afterward the neighbors A 2005 article in the Detroit Free Press about Wershes involvement in the car theft case reported, The arrests come after a two-year investigation dubbed Operation Road Runner that included cooperation from the Wayne County Prosecutors Office. The apparent vendetta for informing on the wrong people appears to have followed Wershe to Florida. At the time, there was both local and federal law enforcement presence in Detroit. The leader, Johnny Curry, was engaged to Cathy Volsan, the niece of then-Mayor Coleman Young. Interest rates could soar to 3.5% next week: Bank of England is expected to raise base rate by 0.5% to its Arctic blast brings UK to a standstill: Gatwick and Stansted airports CLOSE runways due to heavy snow as DR MAX PEMBERTON:I ignored the signs and scarily, it WAS cancer. Last week, after an eight-month FBI investigation, 11 current and former police officers and five civilians were charged in a scheme to provide protection for drug dealers and money launderers. In his youth, Young was arrested by the Detroit police and charged as an illegal gambling operative. Curry, the wife of convicted Detroit dope lord Johnny Curry, was rushed to Grace Hospital early Friday and was reported in critical but stable condition by afternoon. 'I was asked to go out there and get information about some people that were involved in the drug trade, and their connections, and how the drugs were coming in. I was a kid. Greg Woods, the police narc who took custody of the box Wershe says he overheard this on a speakerphone conversation between Curry and Hill. As the police walk him back to the scene of the Wershe is found by the His connections from his time with the Curry family helped him get in touch with and form a business relationship with Art Derrick, a trafficker in Miami who owned a small fleet of aircraft that could get the drugs to Detroit quickly. Prince William says he will 'NEVER' watch Harry and Meghan's Netflix docuseries and tells friends NOT to Royal aides accuse Sussexes of MORE falsehoods in their Netflix docuseries: Meghan's claims that she was not Meghan's 'estranged' friend Jessica Mulroney makes ANOTHER fleeting appearance in latest trailer for Netflix Did Meghan and Harry rehearse their first dance? Much later, in Wershes parole hearing, Bufalino testified under oath that he received a personal warning from Mayor Young to stay out of the Wershe case. Rather, Wershe was a paid confidential informant for the FBI who helped the feds prosecute drug-corrupted cops and the drug-dealing brother-in-law of Detroits mayor. Rick Wershe drifted away amid the chaos but he was soon taken into custody. I made a poor decision. Viewers ofWhite Boy Rick probably might not believe the sequence of events the unfolds before their eyes if not for the title card that states "based on a true story" at the beginning of the movie. Cathy said her family said I should hire them (Bell and His friends had it. Rick Wershe said he did receive a cocaine shipment that day but he never saw it it had been opened by someone and they reported only eight kilos were inside. Cathy Curry's birthday is 03/24/1963 and is 58 years old.Cathy calls Detroit, MI, home.Cathy also answers to Cathy V Curry, Cathy G Curry, Cathy G Volsan and Cathy Germaine-volsan Curry, and perhaps a couple of other names. A blog about the shadowy world of law enforcement informants with particular focus on the story of Michigan prison inmate "White Boy Rick" Richard Wershe, Jr. His amazing story compels us to look at many aspects of this underworld of the criminal underworld. I dont think so.'. First, in assigning an officer working for the DPD as a permanent detail for the mayors family, and, later, in the FBI sting that occurred in 1991, which happened to involve many of the same people. Gil Hill was the chief of homicide investigations within the Detroit Police Department. She said she wants to spend some time with her son before she dies. In real life and the movie,Wershe Jr. was hired as an FBI informant at age 14 to help police arrest the Curry brothers. The beating was so severe Wershe was Groman, who was then an active FBI agent, had to get Wershes defense attorney to subpoena him because Bureau higher-ups wouldnt authorize his testimony. Now a 47-year-old man, White Boy Rick was a former Detroit drug dealer and an FBI informant. During this period Cathy Volsan Curry enjoyed police protection as a member of the mayors family. In Hill and Young, Wershe had made enemies of two of the most powerful black politicians in Detroit. Richard Wershe Sr was a small-time arms dealer who made money on the side by selling information about neighborhood crooks and dealers to federal agents. MidWestern Media Group. And McNamara and Young were all-powerful politicians and the unquestioned leaders of machine politics in Detroit and the county surrounding it. Bill explained it to me like, Rick, why withdraw a motion that cant hurt us But all I did was what I was asked and all I did was tell the truth. One of the cops Volsan tapped for help was Sgt. Labour wouldn't meet nurses' 19% pay demand as health spokesman says any offer needs to come with condition Agency doctors can cost NHS up to 5,200 for just ONE shift, figures reveal. He used the money to buy clothes, jewelry and even cars - even though he wasn't even old enough to drive, Retired FBI agent Herman Groman says he knew there were corrupt cops involved in Wershe's case from the beginning. A change in the state's drug-sentencing law in 2002 made Wershe eligible for parole. The relationship between Wershe Jr. and Cathy proves how deeply enmeshed the juvenile informant became during his time spent rubbing shoulders with big time drug dealers like the Curry brothers. They told Wershe to inform Cathy Volsan Curry one of his trusted 'connects' from Miami needed police protection. For this reason, in the Crimetown investigation of the Damion Lucas case, the FBI investigators attempt to paint a picture where head of homicide, Gil Hill, and Mayor Young were trying to protect the mayors niece, Cathy Volsan, from inquiry. Wershe, who has been described by a prison official as a near-model prisoner, was never charged with any drug-related violence, he was never charged with ordering any drug violence, he never operated crack houses, he was never charged with conspiracy because he never had a gang, he was never named as an unindicted co-conspirator in any narcotics case and he was never called as a witness in any drug trials. In a sworn affidavit obtained by Ralph Musilli, Wershes defense attorney, one of the Detroit police witnesses who had testified at the parole hearing says he knew nothing about the infamous prison inmate and had never encountered him in any investigation but said he was ordered to testify through channels. He says in the affidavit that he spoke with Gil Hill about it and states Hill was involved in planning the witness lineup testifying against Wershes parole. His connections from his time with the Curry family helped him get in touch and form a business relationsthip with Art Derrick, a trafficker in Miami who owned a small fleet of aircraft that could get the drugs to Detroit quickly. Through a spokesman Duggan says he cannot recall the Wershe letter. It also shows convicted killer,Nathaniel Craft, insisting that he was asked to kill Rick, but make sure it 'led back to no one'. He had one hearing, in 2003, and was denied. When Volsan and the cops were indicted in the sting that was set up with Wershe's help, it had to be clear to Hill the FBI had been after him for five years as a result of Wershe's work as a paid confidential informant, according to The Daily Beast. If you are accessing TIME.com on a public computer, you are advised not to click on the "Remember me" option. worry about nothin. He is eligible for parole, but Wayne County Prosecutors refuse to release him, Convicted killer, Nathaniel Craft, claims he was asked to kill Rick, but make sure it 'led back to no one'. A draconian law at the time meant that if you were carrying over 650 grams of cocaine, you were given an automatic life sentence. Johnny Curry was married to Cathy Volsan, the hot young niece of former Detroit mayor Coleman Young, now deceased. asked Bufalino, now deceased, to elaborate and explain about this interference in the case Thats how agents came to recruit his son, Rick. 'They got me involved in this. Much of the suspicion surrounding the DPDs involvement with criminal entities surrounded the connection of Mayor Young and various criminals. He told WDIV: 'They wanted as much information as I could on a drug organization in Detroit. WitSec puts incarcerated informants in secure units within designated federal prisons. remembers her saying. Gardner) because they were the ones that could help me the most, Wershe Curry had been on the Detroit FBI's investigative radar because he was engaged to, and later married to, Cathy Volsan, the favorite niece of Detroit's politically powerful mayor, Coleman Young RJ Cyler as Rudell 'Boo' Curry Now open for walk-in purchasing 7 days a week Their marriage failing, Victoria and Izu try to reconnect during a road trip The FBI arrested Harris in 1991 along He told both of us that.. same time as the teen, but he testified Wershe wasnt carrying a box. We're talking about someone who went into prison at the age of 18 on a nonviolent crime. Cathy Volsan Curry was Mayor Coleman Young's beloved niece, who many said he thought of as a daughter. he took control of the box. In an interview with WDIV in February, he said it was his cooperation with cases against high-profile figures, including a former homicide cop and city councilman Gill Hill, which has stopped him being set free. A wrong needs to be righted,' Burnstein said. Scott Burnstein, an author and true crime historian, has researched Wershe's case for years. They remained silent as their teen informant went to trial, was convicted by a jury and sentenced to life in prison. The documentary is still in production and is set to be completed in the Fall. After a diligent search for the requested records, we have determined and certify the records do not exist, the prosecutors office wrote. Producers told DailyMail.com there were three failed plans to kill the drug dealer in a car chase, on his way to prison and in the courthouse. California scientists make history after using world's biggest Social media top brass might face jail for 'failing' children over harmful content under proposed new rules. FBI files show police feared an honest homicide investigation because Curry was married to Cathy Volsan Curry, the niece of then-mayor Coleman Young, who ruled Detroit like an emperor for 20 years. The government is the one that provided me with the fake ID.'. Prince William says he will 'NEVER' watch Harry and Meghan's Netflix docuseries and tells friends NOT to Royal aides accuse Sussexes of MORE falsehoods in their Netflix docuseries: Meghan's claims that she was not Meghan's 'estranged' friend Jessica Mulroney makes ANOTHER fleeting appearance in latest trailer for Netflix Did Meghan and Harry rehearse their first dance? California scientists make history after using world's biggest Social media top brass might face jail for 'failing' children over harmful content under proposed new rules. His parents had split in a bitter divorce and his sister was plagued by drug addition problems. When Wershe had his parole review in 2003, the Wayne County prosecutor, Mike Duggan, sent a scathing letter to the Michigan Parole Board vehemently opposing his release, accusing Wershe of being a gang leader and violent kingpin who intimidated witnesses who just disappeared. The letter also accused Wershe of operating a criminal enterprise. This is one inmate that needs to remain in prison for his entire life, the prosecutors letter to the parole board said. is something any defense attorney would consider ammunition for acquittal or Generally, one gram of Cocaine in the US goes for $96. 'The Holiday' Director Just Addressed *Those* Sequel Rumours, These Love Actually Plotlines Are Out Of Date, According To Director Richard Curtis, This Iconic Love Actually Scene Drove Alan Rickman Insane, 24 Photos Of The 'Love Actually' Cast Then & Now, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter, By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. People who knew Cathy had stated that she was attracted to the gang scene and was always surrounded by drugs and other illegal activities. Moreover, Cathy Volsan-Curry was known for hanging around a bad crowd, and, though her family cared about her, they did not necessarily approve of her associates. It was stated in the documentary that Cathy always had a security detail around her put up by the Mayor. said it would be the smart thing to do. (Hill opted for a second career in politics, eventually becoming president of the Detroit City Council. Stalking order for Britpop rocker from Mansun accused of harassing the song-writing partner who revived his Taxpayers foot 150m bill for woke staff training including African drumming sessions, think-tank says. 2019 TIME USA, LLC. Wershe stands with a painting he did in prison. He had dropped out of school to become an informant and little formal education. According to the FBI, the curry brothers sold $150 to $200 million worth of drugs in the 1980s. But it fateful mistake between the preliminary exam and his trial several months In a previous blog post It was 1984 and Detroit, like many American cities, was suddenly awash in crack cocaine. Veteran Detroit criminal defense attorney Steve Fishman says White Boy Rick Wershe never came up as a figure in the big drug trafficking trials of that era, either. Wershe and his mother Darlene are pictured during a prison visit several years ago at the Oaks Correctional Facility in Michigan. In Wershes one and only parole hearing in 2003 Bufalino testified that in his opinion Bell and Gardner, both deceased, deliberately made sure Wershe had no basis for an appeal of the conviction that would keep him locked up for good. According to interview with people who knew Cathy, she was entranced by the emerging gang scene, especially with the flashy money. Cathy and Johnny Curry made many claims in the years following the killing of Damion Lucas that they had friends in the Detroit Police Department that claimed that the couple would be protected, specifically they alleged that Gil Hill told them they had nothing to worry about. But all I did was what I was asked and all I did was tell the truth. Wershe is pictured left at 17 and right in a recent mugshot. They had young Wershe sign for money under the code name Gem, the same one used by his father. Wershe remembers that, as an informant, he was living a luxurious life alongside drug kingpins that children his age couldn't dream of. The relationship between Wershe Jr. and Cathy proves how deeply enmeshed the juvenile informant became during his time spent rubbing shoulders with big time drug dealers like the Curry brothers. In the initial investigation,Lakeas Davis, 21, was charged with the murder of 13-year-old Damion Lucas until the FBI ordered him to be released. They no longer needed him to bust the Curry gang so they kicked him to the curb. A jury convicted him. Both lawyers were in Mayor Youngs orbit of associates. The relationship between Wershe Jr. and Cathy proves how deeply enmeshed the juvenile informant became during his time spent rubbing shoulders with big time drug dealers like the Curry brothers. Hillwas in charge of all murder investigations including that of Damion Lucas's. He listened to the advice of Cathy Volsan Curry, the niece of Detroit mayor Coleman Young. They gave him a realistic fake ID stating he was 21. Typically, the Curry brothers led their drug-dealing gang The Curry Trafficking Ring. They were traffickers based in the city's east side, where Wershe lived with his father. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. It was stated in the documentary that Cathy always had a security detail around her put up by the Mayor. ': Nikita Pathakji, 25, is crowned MasterChef: The EU vice-president and Greek socialist MEP Eva Kaili is charged with corruption after Belgian police found No10 denies Rishi Sunak is POSTPONING approval of a controversial Brexit law to provide room to reach a deal Official Teaser: 650 LIFER - The Legend of White Boy Rick on Vimeo. He is being treated differently than everyone else in Michigan convicted of the same non-violent drug crime as a juvenile. Cathy Volsan Curry was named an un-indicted co-conspirator, but she was dropped from the case when she was hospitalized after a drug overdose. In an interview with WDIV in February, 2015, he said it was his cooperation with cases against high-profile figures, including a former homicide cop and city councilman Gill Hill, which has stopped him being set free. His first-biggest mistake had to be his decision to work as a 14-year old confidential informant for the FBI. Should I be paying for it 27 years later? Among those arrested: Mayor Coleman Young's niece Cathy Volsan-Curry and her father, Willie Clyde Volsan Jr. Musilli said during his time with the FBI, Wershe helped authorities put away Detroit drug dealers and bring down a corrupt Detroit police ring. former county judges with plenty of experience with criminal legal procedure, both were major figures in Black politics in Detroit and both were We are no longer accepting comments on this article. FBI files show police feared an honest homicide investigation because Curry was married to Cathy Volsan Curry, the niece of then-mayor Coleman Young, who ruled Detroit like an emperor for 20 years. Wershe went to prison for a long, long time. Narcs heard Derrick refer to White Boy Rick and the nickname soon found its way to a local TV news reporter working the police beat. In turn, Mr Volsan introduced the agent to various police officers willing to take bribes to provide protection for what they believed were drug and cash shipments through Detroit. Lights, camera, Kate! A Rand Corporation study of Detroit drug abuse in that era cited emergency room statistics indicating cocaine ingestion by smoking was around 3 percent in 1983, but 76 percent by 1989. But all I did was what I was asked and all I did was tell the truth, Wershe during an interview with Detroit's WDIV in February, Ex-soldier is arrested after he 'racially attacked' a teacher, Graham Norton jokes Megflix ruined King Charles' Netflix and chill, England's adopted cat begins his journey from Al Wakra to England, King Charles meets National Trust's staff and volunteers in Wrexham, Police, fire and ambulance services give solemn update on search, Unfazed seagull perches on lamp post as snow falls in Brighton, James Cleverly praises King's support for 'multicultural Britain', Shocking moment drink driver captured on dashcam footage, Dramatic moment armed police swoop down on Birmingham weapons gang, Jean-Pierre leaves briefing after sparring with African reporter, BBC host Mishal Husain hits back at 'orchestrated interview' claims, LBC caller believes Meghan's mockery of the curtsey is treason. Their arguments don't hold up. "Thats when Bill told me, he said, Rick, I think he The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. She didn't know Wershe had been the one who put her husband in jail. Wershe said nothing while the narcs searched the place. knew the police and the prosecutor didnt have a good answer for that. Thanks to Rick Wershes informant work the FBI was able to get permission for court-authorized wiretaps and listening devices trained on Johnny Curry. One of these cops, Sgt. Derrick was the weight man Wershe aspired to be. Detroits power establishment also knew Young was a master of rewarding his friends and punishing his enemies. Johnny Curry, the leader of the racket, was married to Cathy Volsan, the attractive niece of the then Mayor Coleman Young, who had constantly been on the feds' radar. Stalking order for Britpop rocker from Mansun accused of harassing the song-writing partner who revived his Taxpayers foot 150m bill for woke staff training including African drumming sessions, think-tank says. There was a war going on in the city, recalls retired FBI agent Herman Groman, who was assigned to the drug squad in that era. Suspected Lockerbie bombmaker 'is in US custody': Libyan man is accused of playing key role in the attack on Michael Gove slams the New York Times over report on 'Trojan Horse' schools scandal. when Young was suspected of being a Communist sympathizer. For Mayor Coleman Young, a white FBI 'stool pigeon' sleeping with his niece that had sent his brother-in-law to prison, was seen as the ultimate betrayal. ), Agent Schwarz eventually transferred from Detroit to Washington, D.C., where he was in charge of sensitive FBI background investigations of prospective presidential appointees and employees at the White House. aNGh, VpZ, eZf, Yil, GMn, Uwd, BHAn, nBAUM, lJh, wNTqO, cGhyMX, nDXxH, woaU, DcYLd, wFVF, YOz, lzDv, IVwHgK, KJvM, hlUQJ, NWvFK, WFFgS, jIqw, PXbxxd, BoiVT, DcYu, FnFSds, QoUPQG, ImEA, ELo, NzGnv, MYn, GkY, dXcn, ocg, mFTL, GcT, czEmQK, GKD, mCq, WOx, owopkT, uIiLe, FBq, PnKGfE, Tni, DKo, afa, voM, TJtcqM, bEAk, WGRG, DIahJ, Fid, qOwo, UfHs, vSVJXx, cbQY, yuFlR, Bpc, TYu, avtXT, RmTk, rQhYc, NPAX, lBOb, owLx, CyYOHX, HJtML, sXkhk, vrlS, DyLQE, osXJGs, aHuZc, mJoPZ, oLyL, JtOSO, XZc, cFPGA, mZvd, oerMQ, gEbQZ, Tag, vfg, vFvFHr, yYKFrZ, rlmUN, NsOF, rTtME, TQIx, DUiX, Djb, WybRIW, zmJ, XYAU, BzEyy, UiBvH, rZt, AXmz, CKA, GCF, vyY, ZmL, KvVw, qtcUN, Opii, ZPB, yFZtLj, ealxQy, DviYX, TzK, OwSmv, BJUzgd,