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$105,000 Verdict in Michigan Illegal Imprisonment
Three to four months after completing their Michigan prison sentences in
1994, Willie Thomas, Jr., Larry Reed, and Edward Grant were picked up and
imprisoned in Jackson prison without a hearing. The defendant prison
officials believed they had miscalculated the time served by each of the men.
Once at Jackson, the prisoners were placed in lock down. They were
prohibited access to a telephone and prohibited from contacting their
families or employers. The prisoners sued, alleging their federal rights to
due process were denied. They spent 8 days in prison before being released.
After a one day jury trial in 2000, the jury awarded $5,000 compensatory
damages and $30,000 punitive damages to each prisoner for a total of
$105,000 plus attorney fees. See: Thomas v. Pogats, Michigan Wayne County
Circuit, Case No: 97-704582-NO
1994, Willie Thomas, Jr., Larry Reed, and Edward Grant were picked up and
imprisoned in Jackson prison without a hearing. The defendant prison
officials believed they had miscalculated the time served by each of the men.
Once at Jackson, the prisoners were placed in lock down. They were
prohibited access to a telephone and prohibited from contacting their
families or employers. The prisoners sued, alleging their federal rights to
due process were denied. They spent 8 days in prison before being released.
After a one day jury trial in 2000, the jury awarded $5,000 compensatory
damages and $30,000 punitive damages to each prisoner for a total of
$105,000 plus attorney fees. See: Thomas v. Pogats, Michigan Wayne County
Circuit, Case No: 97-704582-NO
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Related legal case
Thomas v. Pogats
| Year | 2000 |
|---|---|
| Cite | Michigan Wayne County Circuit, Case No: 97-704582- |
| Level | State Trial Court |
| Conclusion | Jury Verdict |
| Attorney Fees | 0 |
| Damages | 105000 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |