NSB client Jonathan Barr and other “Dixmoor 5” settle false confessions lawsuits
The Illinois State Police have agreed to pay $40 million to five men who were wrongfully convicted of rape and murder as teenagers and served a combined 80 years in prison before DNA testing proved their innocence. The lawsuits alleged that police had coerced false confessions from three of the five plaintiffs, which led to…
Read articleNSB client Frank Sterling wins settlement for wrongful conviction
Monroe County and the City of Rochester have agreed to pay NSB Client Frank Sterling $8.625 to settle his constitutional claims against the officers involved in Mr. Sterling’s wrongful conviction and imprisonment. The real perpetrator has since confessed and pleaded guilty to the murder for which Mr. Sterling was imprisoned. Click here to read article.
Read articleNSB wins expansive ruling from Third Circuit recognizing new cause of action
The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled today that Byron Halsey’s wrongful conviction case must proceed to trial, recognizing for the first time in that Circuit that fabrication of evidence by a police officer violates the Due Process Clause and is actionable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. With this decision, the…
Read articleNSB wins biggest wrongful conviction jury verdict in U.S. history
A federal jury has returned a $36 million verdict for John Restivo and Dennis Halstead, who spent eighteen years in prison for a 1984 rape and murder before DNA testing proved their innocence. The jury concluded that Nassau County Detective Joseph Volpe, now deceased, had planted hairs and hid evidence suggesting Mr. Restivo’s and Mr.…
Read articleNSB client Martin Tankleff wins settlement from State of New York
The State of New York has agreed to pay $3.375 million to settle Mr. Tankleff’s claim under section 8-b of New York’s Court of Claims Act, which provides a remedy for people wrongfully convicted of crimes. Mr. Tankleff also has a federal civil rights lawsuit pending against Suffolk County and former Suffolk County Detective K.…
Read articlePeter Neufeld and Barry Scheck named two of America’s 100 Most Influential Trial Lawyers
The Trial Lawyer, the magazine of The National Trial Lawyers, has named Peter Neufeld and Barry Scheck two of America’s 100 most influential trial lawyers. NSB congratulates Peter and Barry on this honor.
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