A Nevada federal jury awarded Kirstin Lobato, now Blaise, $34 million in compensatory damages and $10,000 in punitive damages from two retired Las Vegas detectives, finding they fabricated evidence and inflicted emotional distress during her wrongful conviction for a 2001 murder. Lobato, wrongly convicted twice and imprisoned for nearly 16 years, was exonerated in 2017 after new evidence proved her innocence. The jury’s verdict concluded that Las Vegas police were responsible for her ordeal; the department had preemptively agreed to pay damages should the jury find in Lobato’s favor. The detectives’ attorney plans to appeal the decision.
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Michael Sullivan, wrongly convicted of the 1986 murder of Wilfred McGrath, was awarded $13 million in damages after a jury determined his innocence. However, a state law limits such payouts to $1 million, the amount Sullivan will ultimately receive. Sullivan’s conviction stemmed from false testimony and fabricated evidence, including a state police chemist’s false report of incriminating physical evidence. Despite the reduced compensation, Sullivan’s exoneration after 26 years in prison is his primary focus.
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I cannot even begin to fathom the unimaginable pain and suffering that the Tampa man wrongfully imprisoned for nearly four decades has endured. To have your life stripped away from you, to be labeled as a convicted rapist and murderer when you are, in fact, innocent – it is a nightmare that no amount of money can fully rectify. The $14 million settlement he is set to receive is a drop in the bucket compared to the 40 years of his life that were unjustly stolen from him. It is heartbreaking to think about the time, experiences, and relationships he has missed out on during his time behind bars.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker