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U.S. Supreme Court Overturns Wrongful Conviction Suit Against New Orleans DA, Vacates $14 Million Judgment
by Derek Gilna and Brandon Sample
In a March 29, 2011 five-to-four decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against a former Louisiana prisoner who filed a § 1983 suit against Orleans Parish District Attorney Harry F. Connick, Sr., based upon admitted Brady errors. The Supreme Court’s decision reversed a jury …
In a March 29, 2011 five-to-four decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against a former Louisiana prisoner who filed a § 1983 suit against Orleans Parish District Attorney Harry F. Connick, Sr., based upon admitted Brady errors. The Supreme Court’s decision reversed a jury …
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More from this issue:
- Prison Legal News Interviews Former Prisoner and Famous Actor Danny Trejo, by Paul Wright
- Illinois Federal Court Denies Prisoner Release Order at Cook County Jail, by Derek Gilna
- From the Editor, by Paul Wright
- Treasury Department Finds Prisoners’ Fraudulent Tax Returns Taxing, by Derek Gilna
- Prosecutors Who Commit Misconduct Are Rarely Disciplined, by Matthew Clarke
- Habeas Hints: Expert Testimony in Habeas Cases, by Kent A. Russell
- Idaho: Prison Doctor’s Treatment Fell Below Standard of Care, by David Reutter
- California DOC Complies With Population Reduction Order in Plata v. Brown, by John Dannenberg
- Ninth Circuit Reverses Grant of Injunctive Relief in Ex Post Facto Challenge to Marsy’s Law, by Michael Brodheim
- Habeas Unavailable for Federal Prisoners’ Medical Claims
- State Secrets Doctrine Requires Dismissal of Suit Involving CIA Torture Flights
- Merger Creates Largest Private Prison Medical Provider in U.S., by David Reutter
- $4,000 Settlement for Arkansas Prisoner Pepper Sprayed by Guards
- Virginia DOC Settles Lawsuit to Improve Communication for Deaf Prisoners
- U.S. Supreme Court: No Monetary Damages Against States Under RLUIPA
- Placement in Maximum Security Facility May Trigger Due Process Protections; Religious Diet Claims Remanded
- $1.2 Million Awarded Against PHS After Florida Jail Prisoner Paralyzed
- Fifth Circuit Vacates Dismissal of Habeas Challenge to Texas Parole Changes
- Report Finds Prior Incarceration Hinders Upward Economic Mobility, by Matthew Clarke
- California Prisoners Still Forced to Drink Arsenic-Laced Water, by David Reutter
- Judge Rejects Challenge to BOP’s Special Administrative Measures, by Brandon Sample
- Supreme Court Allows § 1983 Challenge to Texas Post-Conviction DNA Testing Law
- Washington Supreme Court Upholds Decision Against State Attorney General for Failure to Comply with Public Records Act
- Provision in Florida Law Prohibits Compensation to Wrongfully Convicted, by David Reutter
- U.S. Supreme Court Overturns Wrongful Conviction Suit Against New Orleans DA, Vacates $14 Million Judgment, by Derek Gilna
- Oklahoma Gladiator Discipline Results in Prisoner’s Death
- Ohio Prison Industry Cranks Out Crappy Toilet Paper, by David Reutter
- U.S. Department of Justice Seeks $28.2 Billion Budget
- Prison Records Officer Entitled to Qualified Immunity; No Evidence of Deliberate Indifference to Sentencing Errors, by Mark Wilson
- Washington Prison Guards Sue Prisoners, by Brandon Sample
- $17.5 Million Verdict for Diabetic Prisoner in New York
- Louisiana Attorney Permanently Disbarred but Not Criminally Charged for Pimping Child to Jail Prisoners, by David Reutter
- Insider Trading Charges Against Private Prison Consultant Rejected, by David Reutter
- Voting Rights Must Be “Earned” Back, Says Iowa Governor, by Brandon Sample
- Hawaii State Auditor Blasts Private Prison Contracting; State Renews Contract Anyway
- New York Prisoners Man Call Centers
- Fifth Circuit Upholds $355,000 Award Against Dallas County in Jail MRSA Case
- Federal Court Dismisses PLN’s Texas Prison Censorship Suit; Appeal Pending
- State Ordered to Reimburse Prisoner Who Was Not Allowed to Complete College Classes
- Texas Prison Phones and Emails Generate Less Revenue Than Expected
- Washington State Regulatory Agency Finds AT&T Failed to Disclose Prison Collect Call Rates, by Brandon Sample
- American “Corrections”, by Mumia Abu-Jamal
- Oregon Jail Pneumonia Death Lawsuit Settles for $905,000, by Mark Wilson
- Los Angeles Jail Guards Beat Prisoner in Front of ACLU Monitor, by David Reutter
- Terminated South Carolina Wardens Awarded a Total of $882,000, by Mark Wilson
- Sixth Circuit Reinstates Michigan Prisoner’s Denial of Toothpaste Suit
- California: Court Monitoring of Conditions at Pelican Bay State Prison Terminated
- Illinois Prison Guards Scam Workers’ Comp, by Brandon Sample
- Seventh Circuit: Court May Not Revoke Supervised Release via Videoconference, by Matthew Clarke
- Big Win for Open Government in Vermont Legislature: Attorney Fees Now Mandated for Prevailing Plaintiffs in Public Records Lawsuits, by Allen Gilbert
- Ninth Circuit Upholds Arizona’s Felon Disenfranchisement Law, by David Reutter
- $450,000 Settlement in Alabama Jail Prisoner’s Death, by David Reutter
- News In Brief
More from Derek Gilna:
- Federal Judge in Louisiana Issues Sweeping Opinion Finding Numerous Eighth Amendment, ADA and RA Violations at Angola, April 1, 2022
- Human Rights Defense Center Prevails in Censorship Lawsuit Against Napa County Jail, California, Sept. 1, 2021
- California State Auditor’s Report Faults Counties for Waste and Poor Oversight of State Funds Used in “Public Safety Realignment”, Sept. 1, 2021
- The Fight Over Cellphones in Prisons Rages On, Sept. 1, 2021
- District Court Extends Armstrong Order to Five Additional California Prisons, Sept. 1, 2021
- HRDC Settles Censorship Lawsuit with Johnson County, Kansas Jail for $50,000 and Policy Changes, Aug. 1, 2021
- Virginia Prosecutors to Dismiss 400 Drug Convictions Tied to Disgraced Cop, July 15, 2021
- Discredited New York Police Detective’s False Testimony Causes the Dismissal of Close to 100 Drug Convictions, June 15, 2021
- D.C. Department of Forensic Sciences Firearms Examination Unit Under Fire, April 15, 2021
- Mississippi Joins Illinois and Few Other States Prioritizing Vaccination of State Prisoners to Slow Spread of COVID-19, April 1, 2021
More from these topics:
- Detroit Pays $5.8 Million to Former State Prisoner Exonerated of Murder After 15 Years, Aug. 1, 2026. Wrongful Conviction, Qualified Immunity, 42 U.S. Code § 1983, civil action for deprivation of rights, Eyewitness Identification, Evidence - Failure to Disclose.
- $13 Million Awarded to Exonerated Illinois Prisoner Tortured to Confess by Corrupt Cops, Aug. 1, 2026. Police Misconduct, Wrongful Conviction, Certificate of Innocence, False Imprisonment, Confessions - Coerced.
- $10.19 Million Paid for Retired California Prison Guard’s Death in Colorado Jail, Aug. 1, 2026. Failure to Treat, Stun Guns/Tasers, Failure to Train/Supervise, Medical Neglect/Malpractice, Deliberate Indifference.
- Louisiana Supreme Court Announces Framework Governing Factual Innocence Claims in First Application of La. C.Cr.P. Art. 926.2, Holding Second-Step Review Encompasses All Relevant Evidence, Aug. 1, 2026. Wrongful Conviction, Forensic Sciences, Actual Innocence/Claim of Innocence, Expert and Opinion Testimony, Scientific Testimony or Evidence.
- Eighth Circuit Revives § 1983 Complaint Alleging Jail Detainees’ Death from Stroke was Due to Deliberate Indifference and Failure to Train, July 1, 2026. Systemic Medical Neglect, Failure to Treat, Eighth Amendment, Failure to Train/Supervise, Deliberate Indifference.
- Conviction Tossed for Former Alabama Prisoner Paroled After 42 Years, July 1, 2026. Sex Offender Registration, Wrongful Conviction, Forensic Sciences, Eyewitness Identification, Brady Rule violations.
- Fifth Circuit Kills Louisiana Prison Medical and Mental Health Care Reform, July 1, 2026. Medical, Conditions of Confinement, PLRA, Immunity/Liability, Mental Health.
- Tenth Circuit Upholds $33 Million Jury Award in Suit Over Detainee’s Horrific Death in Oklahoma County Jail, July 1, 2026. Systemic Medical Neglect, Failure to Treat, Failure to Train/Supervise, Medical Neglect/Malpractice, Deliberate Indifference.
- Your DNA Was at the Scene, But You Weren’t: How Touch DNA Is Convicting the Innocent, June 1, 2026. DNA Testing/Samples, junk science, Wrongful Conviction, DNA Evidence, Evidence - Admissibility, Claim of Innocence.
- Jury Awards Over $24.4 Million to Kentucky Prisoner Exonerated After 22 Years, Bringing Total Payout for Him and Co-Defendant to Almost $45 Million, June 1, 2026. Police Misconduct, Wrongful Conviction, Monell Liability, Fabrication of Evidence, Failure to Disclose.

