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Kansas Supreme Court Denies Compensation to Former Prisoner Whose Conviction Was Overturned
Loaded on May 1, 2025
published in Prison Legal News
May, 2025, page 47
In a ruling on August 9, 2024, the Kansas Supreme Court held that former state prisoner Robert W. Doelz could not recover damages from the state for his wrongful conviction because he had proved only that he was “legally innocent,” which the Court distinguished from “actual innocence” that it …
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- 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.
- Sixth Circuit Upholds $10 Million Wrongful Conviction Verdict for Exonerated Michigan Prisoner, June 1, 2026. Wrongful Conviction, 42 U.S. Code § 1983, civil action for deprivation of rights, Immunity - Absolute and Qualified, Damages - Compensatory, Failure to Disclose.
- Exonerated Texas Prisoner Entitled to $1.68 Million After 22 Years of Wrongful Incarceration, May 1, 2026. Wrongful Conviction, Wrongful Imprisonment, Actual Innocence/Claim of Innocence, Failure to Consult/Investigate/Raise, Expert and Opinion Testimony.
- Federal Jury Awards $307.6 Million to Former Michigan Prisoner After Corizon Refused Surgery, Forcing Him to Wear Colostomy Bag for Two Years, May 1, 2026. Corizon, Systemic Medical Neglect, Cruel and Unusual Punishment, Damages - Compensatory, Deliberate Indifference.
- Massive $112 Million Jury Verdict for Detainees Held in New York Jail Past Release Date on ICE Detainers, Jan. 1, 2026. Fourth Amendment, rights, Detention - Generally, Unlawful Detention, Immunity - Sovereign/Municipal, Damages - Compensatory.
- Exonerated Former Prisoner Wins Election for Chief Record Keeper in New Orleans, Jan. 1, 2026. Prisoner Legal Assistance, Juries, Public Records, Wrongful Conviction, Wrongful Imprisonment.
- SCOTUS Hears Oral Arguments on Rastafarian Hair-Cutting Case, Jan. 1, 2026. RLUIPA, Religious Practices, Damages - Compensatory, Wrongful Use of Force, Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
- $600,000 Awarded So Far in Disgraced Georgia Sheriff’s Trial for Abusing Detainee in Restraint Chair, Jan. 1, 2026. Exposure to Cold, Restraints, Qualified Immunity, Damages - Compensatory, Wrongful Use of Force.
- Chicago Pays Exonerated Prisoners $7.5 Million, Bringing Total to $33.75 Million for Wrongful Convictions, Jan. 1, 2026. Wrongful Conviction, Bribery/Extortion/Theft, Fabrication of Evidence, Withholding of Exculpatory Evidence, Withdrawal.

