Wrongfully Convicted, Behind Bars for 20 Years, He Taught Himself Law, Got Released, $15m Settlement

[KamaAina]

And A Job At A Law Firm!

http://urbanintellectuals.com/2016/10/01/wrongfully-convicted-behind-bars-20-years-taught-law-got-released-15m-settlement-job-lawfirm/

Well, one man used his time very wisely and has finally pulled himself out of jail and settled with the state. Rodell Sanders was awarded $15 million on September 28th.

Sanders managed to gain the assistance of the University of Chicago’s Exoneration Project and managed to get his freedom 2 years ago. He was imprisoned for murder in a 1993 gang hit, many retrials, and investigations proved he did nit commit this crime.

From day one, I said they framed me. No one believed me. And now it’s finally come out. I don’t know if it makes things right. I will never get back the 20 years they have taken from me. (And) I lost those years with my family, with my children.”

Sanders went onto work for the law firm that helped free him and now he is a grandfather he is using his settlement to relax and spend time with the kids.

[Heidi]

1. Kick, kick, kick!

[TexasProgresive]

4. I hear GOOGLE is your friend

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#newwindow=1&q=Rodell+Sanders

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-chicago-heights-wrongful-conviction-settlement-met-20160928-story.html
Six months after Chicago Heights police arrested Rodell Sanders for a 1993 slaying, his girlfriend received a letter that was purportedly a confession from the real killer.

"I know that you are still mad at me for helping the police to lie on Rodell about that murder," the letter said, according to court records. "But I was scared. Like I told you before, the police told me to lie on Rodell and put his name on this (expletive). ... They wanted Rodell instead of me because they need me to come to court on another case, then help them put Rodell away forever."

On Wednesday, nearly 23 years after that letter was sent, Sanders stood in his lawyer's West Loop offices to announce a $15 million settlement in his federal lawsuit alleging corrupt Chicago Heights police officers framed him for the murder, sending him to prison for more than two decades.

The settlement approved by U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve was believed to be among the largest individual payouts for a wrongful conviction in Cook County history.

[ailsagirl]

5. Chicago SunTimes

http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chicago-heights-pays-15m-to-settle-rodell-sanders-lawsuit/

[sheshe2]

3. Wow!

He will never get back those years but it’s remarkable story of a man’s will against corruption.

[SunSeeker]

6. Amazing. May he live a long, happy life.

He went from victim to victor. Most are not that lucky once they are in the clutches of our racist criminal justice system.

[uponit7771]

7. Amen

[Spitfire of ATJ]

8. This should be made into a movie.

[DianaForRussFeingold]

9. I agree, it is an amazing story!