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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMan Framed by Detective Will Get $6.4 Million From New York City After Serving 23 Years for Murder
FEB. 20, 2014
David Ranta, wrongly convicted in a 1990 killing, was freed last year. The office of New York Citys comptroller settled the case before a suit had been filed.
A man who was framed by a rogue detective and served 23 years in prison for a murder he did not commit will receive $6.4 million from the City of New York in a settlement that came before a civil rights lawsuit was even filed, lawyers involved in the case said on Thursday.
A $150 million claim filed last year by the man, David Ranta, was settled by the city comptrollers office without ever involving the citys legal department which the lawyers involved in the negotiations described as a groundbreaking decision that acknowledged the overwhelming evidence the city faced.
The comptrollers quick acceptance of liability in the high-profile conviction is also significant because the case is the first of what is expected to be a series of wrongful conviction claims by men who were sent to prison based on the flawed investigative work of the detective, Louis Scarcella, who has been accused of inventing confessions, coercing witnesses and recycling informers.
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While no amount of money could ever compensate David for the 23 years that were taken away from him, this settlement allows him the stability to continue to put his life back together, Mr. Rantas lawyer, Pierre Sussman, said. We are now focusing our efforts on pursuing an unjust conviction claim with the State of New York.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/nyregion/man-framed-by-new-york-detective-to-get-6-4-million-without-filing-suit.html?_r=0
jollyreaper2112
(1,941 posts)Let him do the same time in prison.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)Last edited Fri Feb 21, 2014, 03:37 PM - Edit history (1)
Louis Scarcellas Ex-Partner Is Coming Under Scrutiny in Brooklyn Cases
Nelson I. Cruz, who is in prison for a 1998 murder, holding a drawing of the crime scene he made based on testimony he said was false.
By FRANCES ROBLES
Published: December 27, 2013
Behind his back, Stephen W. Chmil was called Robin the quiet sidekick to his more handsome, daring and celebrated partner.
Detectives Louis Scarcella, left, and Stephen W. Chmil in 1990. Dozens of Mr. Scarcellas cases are under review by Brooklyn prosecutors.
Batman was Louis Scarcella, a star detective known for making arrests and getting convictions in the crime-plagued Brooklyn of the 1980s and 90s. He and Detective Chmil spent a dozen years together as part of a roving homicide unit in Brooklyn North that investigated more than 500 murders a year.
I dont know who loved being a detective more him or me, Mr. Chmil recalled.
Their legacy was deeply tarnished in March when they were accused of lying and cheating to make a high-profile case stick. At the Brooklyn district attorneys request, a judge ruled that the man convicted in that case, who spent 23 years in prison, should go free.
That, and misconduct allegations found in other cases, prompted District Attorney Charles J. Hynes to reopen the cases of 56 people arrested by Detective Scarcella who were convicted at trial.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/28/nyregion/like-his-old-partner-scarcella-chmil-comes-under-scrutiny.html
uponit7771
(90,335 posts)tammywammy
(26,582 posts)I'm just wondering.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)The suit started out at 150 million..but he gets over 6 with no delay.
tammywammy
(26,582 posts)I don't think $6M is nearly enough for 23 years falsely in prison though.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)msanthrope
(37,549 posts)tammywammy
(26,582 posts)joeybee12
(56,177 posts)the only guy the detective set up...for phucks sake.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)joeybee12
(56,177 posts)Dante has a special level of hell for these guys.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)even filed.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)And doing it quickly keeps their costs down...
Response to Jefferson23 (Original post)
Th1onein This message was self-deleted by its author.
DFW
(54,363 posts)The same goes for the DA, Hynes.
There is no way to compensate someone for 23 years of life robbed, but there is a way to show that society will not tolerate it--unless society IS willing to tolerate it.
Their other phony conviction need to be made public as well, the victims compensated and the two of the put away for life.
Catching bad guys is all well and good, but putting innocent guys away because you can't catch the real perps is NOT an acceptable alternative.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)PR is bad for them and keeping their crimes in the press:
EXCLUSIVE: Chris Noth set to play former Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes in new movie
The movie is based on the case of 19-year-old Fairfield University honor student Mark Fisher, who was shot dead in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, after a night of barhopping on Oct 12, 2003.
Noth hopes the movie helps free convicted killer John Giuca.
Actor Chris Noth plans to play former Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes in an independent film being developed.
Monday, February 10, 2014, 2:00 AM
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/chris-noth-plans-star-brooklyn-district-attorney-charles-hynes-article-1.1607882#ixzz2uSQB6zkc