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Prime suspect released from jail in the murder of Santo Williams

Posted at 6:04 PM, Sep 04, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-04 18:04:18-04

DETROIT (WXYZ) — When the family of 30-year-old Santo Williams heard that the man suspected of killing him had been arrested, they were overjoyed.

But Detroit Police were forced, by law, to release the 25-year-old man when he wasn't going to be charged within 72 hours of his arrest.

Prosecutors returned the warrant request to Detroit Police for further investigation over the weekend.

Detroit Police Captain Michael McGinnis said it's part of the process and investigators are continuing to work diligently on the case and they still believe the man they arrested in Ann Arbor Friday is responsible for Santo's murder.

7 Action News has learned that the suspect was charged in 2015 with armed robbery, but the case was dropped when the victim failed to show up in court.

Click on the video to hear Capt. McGinnis talk about the case and the community that helped identify the suspect who had been caught on surveillance cameras.

We have blurred the face of the suspect now that police know who he is but he has not charged in the case.

Stay with 7 Action News for developments in the case.