1. Chicago man wrongfully imprisoned for 12 years sues city and police
2. Innocent man released from prison after 12 years files lawsuit against Chicago and law enforcement.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : A man from Chicago, who was cleared of all charges in 2023 following the discovery that crucial testimony in his trial came from a visually impaired witness, is taking legal action against the city and its police department.
The federal civil rights lawsuit was initiated last month and was recently disclosed by the Chicago Tribune. The lawsuit alleges that Darien Harris was wrongfully convicted due to the “egregious misconduct” of Chicago police officers who allegedly fabricated evidence and coerced individuals to provide false statements. Harris, who was a high school student at the time of his arrest in connection to a fatal shooting at a South Side gas station in 2011, was found guilty in 2014 of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and aggravated battery with a firearm.
The National Registry of Exonerations reported that Harris, now 31, spent over 12 years behind bars before being exonerated in December 2023. The Exoneration Project revealed that the eyewitness who testified against Harris was suffering from advanced glaucoma and had falsely claimed to be legally blind at the time of the incident.
Despite acquiring a GED and holding jobs during his incarceration, Harris expressed his struggles in reintegrating into society since his release. He mentioned to the Chicago Tribune that he continues to face challenges due to his criminal record, hindering his ability to secure good employment or pursue further education. Harris stated, “I feel like they took a piece of me that is hard for me to get back.”
Harris is seeking compensation from the city of Chicago and specific officers from the Chicago Police Department involved in his case.
The wrongful conviction of Darien Harris is portrayed in the lawsuit as a result of “systemic police misconduct.” The Exoneration Project highlighted that the conviction was primarily based on the testimony of the visually impaired eyewitness, who was deemed credible by the court. However, inconsistencies in the witness’s statements and the revelation of his legal blindness post-conviction led to Harris’s exoneration.
The lawsuit also shed light on alleged coercion by police officers in securing false identifications and testimonies during Harris’s trial. The Exoneration Project emphasized that Harris’s case is not an isolated incident but rather reflects a pattern of police misconduct at the Area Two Police Headquarters.
The increasing number of exonerations across the United States was highlighted, with over 3,500 cases since 1989. The National Registry of Exonerations reported 153 exonerations in 2023 alone, with official misconduct noted in 118 cases. The report also revealed a considerable rise in exonerations since 2017, with racial disparities prevalent in wrongful convictions.
The report emphasized that innocent Black Americans are seven times more likely than their white counterparts to be falsely convicted of serious crimes, underscoring the need for accountability and reform within the criminal justice system..
– Chicago man exonerated after years in prison sues city and police
– Chicago man exonerated after in prison sues city and police.
