$14.5 Million Awarded to Oklahoma Man for 14 Years Wrongful Imprisonment
$14.5 Million Awarded to Oklahoma Man for 14 Years Wrongful Imprisonment
A Tulsa, Oklahoma, man freed in 2002 after spending 14 years in prison for a rape he did not commit won a $14.5 Million award after a trial in federal court in March 2006.
Arvin McGee, Jr., now 52, was convicted in a 1987 rape and kidnapping. The conviction was overturned 14 years later after DNA evidence exonerated McGee.
”It's justice,” said a jubilant McGee after hearing the civil trial verdict.
Following his exoneration and release from prison, McGee sued the city of Tulsa and the Tulsa police department, alleging that Tulsa police acted with ”deliberate indifference” in relation to a five-man photo lineup the victim used to identify McGee as her assailant.
The civil verdict was "understandable in light of the fact that he was convicted of a crime he didn't commit,” said Deputy City Attorney Larry Simmons. However, he said the city would likely appeal the verdict.
DNA testing later revealed that another man had committed the crime. However, because the then-seven-year statute of limitations had expired, the man could not be prosecuted.
Sources: Associated Press, Yahoo! News
As a digital subscriber to Prison Legal News, you can access full text and downloads for this and other premium content.
Already a subscriber? Login