Minister's child molestation conviction overturned

A Maryland minister’s child molestation conviction has been overturned by the state’s Court of Appeals, which ruled that police improperly induced him into a confession. Enoch Jermaine Hill wrote a letter of apology to his alleged young victim, which was later used against him in court. Hill was convicted of sexual abuse of a minor, second-degree sexual offense and unnatural or perverted sexual practice. Hill appealed after being sentenced to five years in prison.

The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled last week that the letter and statements made during the half-hour interview when the letter was obtained cannot be used in the case because the detective told Hill the family did not want to go to trial.