Court rejects appeal from '80s drug dealer 'White Boy Rick'

DETROIT (AP) - The Michigan Supreme Court has turned down an appeal by a Detroit-area drug dealer known as "White Boy Rick," who wants a new sentence after nearly 30 years in prison for crimes as a teen. The court let stand an appeals court decision that said Richard Wershe Jr.'s sentence can't be set aside because it was a legal punishment. The order was released last Thursday. The 46-year-old has been in prison since he was 18. Wershe was convicted of possessing cocaine and given a life sentence. He's been eligible for parole, but the parole board hasn't released him. A Detroit-area judge said Wershe was entitled to a new sentence based on several factors, but that decision was overturned. Published: Mon, Jun 27, 2016