10/22/2010 // WPB, FL, USA // Personal Injury Lawyers News // Nicole Howley
New York, NY—A Bronx man was awarded $18.5 million by a city jury, after he spent 21 years of his life in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Alan Newton was released in 2006, after police found a missing rape kit that proved his innocence, as reported by NY1 News.
In 1985, Newton was convicted of raping and slicing the face of a woman in the Bronx. When police eventually found that rape kit, which they originally claimed was missing, they discovered that the DNA did not match Newton’s. The rape kit was found once prosecutors provided a copy of the rape kit’s original voucher.
“I felt like I’m vindicated, after four years, I was exonerated, I walked out of jail but this says from a jury of my peers that we felt the system was wrong and we want to compensate you and we’re also sending a message to the city,” Newton said.
Newton is hoping that his ruling will help others who have been wrongly convicted.
“We are disappointed with the verdict and plan to appeal it,” the city claimed.
Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for New York wrongful conviction lawyers.
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