When 14-year-old Michael Politte woke up to find his family home filled with smoke, he had no idea his life was about to change forever. After discovering his mother, Rita, on fire in the hallway, Michael ran for help—only to be arrested just days later and accused of her murder.

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Sources:

1. https://www.macarthurjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Petition-for-Writ-of-Habeas-Corpus.pdf

2. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/michael-politte-rita-politte-missouri-sleepover-murder-investigation/

3. https://themip.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Politte-Press-Release-8.23.pdf

4. https://www.kcur.org/news/2025-04-27/years-after-michael-politte-won-parole-in-missouri-his-battle-for-exoneration-drags-on

5. https://www.stlmag.com/news/michael-politte-juror-wrongful-conviction/ 

6. https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/michael-polittes-fight-for-freedom/ 

7. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84665391/ollie_b-smith 

8. https://www.stlpr.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2021-09-29/michael-politte-has-served-22-years-for-murdering-his-mother-experts-say-hes-innocent 

9. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1208041899/?match=1&terms=marian%20smith