$50M Award for Wrongfully Imprisoned Man: Jury Finds Chicago Police Fabricated Evidence
September 10, 2024The jury found that Brown's constitutional rights were violated and that the Chicago police had fabricated evidence against him.
This case represents one of the largest payouts for a wrongful conviction in U.S. history, significantly surpassing previous settlements.
The jury's verdict allocated $10 million for Brown's pre-trial detention and $40 million for the period after his conviction was overturned.
In 2019, Brown received a certificate of innocence and subsequently filed a civil lawsuit against the city of Chicago and several police officials for violating his constitutional rights.
Following the verdict, Brown expressed relief, stating, 'Justice was finally served for me and my family today,' and emphasized the need for police reform.
Brown plans to use the settlement money to support his family and is currently involved with a violence prevention program called Ceasefire.
Brown was represented by the law firm Loevy and Loevy, known for handling cases of police misconduct.
The city of Chicago is currently reviewing the verdict and considering its options regarding the substantial award.
Brown's wrongful conviction stemmed from a coerced confession obtained during a 34-hour interrogation, where he was denied access to legal counsel and subjected to duress.
Initially convicted in 2011 based on fabricated evidence and coerced confessions, Brown was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
His conviction was overturned in 2018 after an investigation revealed that the victim, Paris Jackson, was accidentally killed by his friends, and key evidence had been withheld.
A federal jury awarded $50 million in damages to Marcel Brown, a 34-year-old man from Oak Park, Illinois, who was wrongfully imprisoned for nearly ten years for a murder he did not commit.
Summary based on 9 sources
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Sources
CBS Chicago • Sep 10, 2024
Wrongful convict wins $50 million verdict from City of ChicagoABC News • Sep 10, 2024
Illinois man wrongly imprisoned for murder wins $50 million jury awardFox News • Sep 10, 2024
Chicago man wrongfully convicted for murder awarded $50M after suing city, police detectivesFOX 32 Chicago • Sep 9, 2024
Wrongfully convicted man wins $50M in lawsuit against City of Chicago, police detectives