The majority of police investigators are honorable and work within the perimeters of the law while investigating and attempting to solve crimes. In some cases, however, police officers have been found to grossly abuse their positions of power. As a result, the lives of some innocent individuals are irreparably and adversely impacted.
You can never get back time or your good reputation. These are truths that those individuals who are accused, arrested and convicted of crimes they did not commit know all too well. A glaring example of the injustices appropriated by some within the law enforcement field recently came to light after a man, who served 17 months in jail for a crime he did not commit, sued those responsible for his wrongful incarceration.
According to the man’s lawsuit, he was falsely identified as the assailant in a case involving the robbery and attempted rape of a 61-year-old woman. The crimes against the woman occurred at 3 a.m. when she was accosted in her home by a “cleanly shaven” black man who robbed and attempted to rape her.
Upon reporting the crime, the woman was asked by police investigators to identify the assailant from a group of photographs. The woman, however, explained she would not be able to identify the man as her glasses had been knocked off during the assault. Despite this information, the investigators continued to insist that the woman identify a suspect and even allegedly encouraged her to select the 26-year-old plaintiff.
The 26-year-old was arrested on criminal charges and denied any wrongdoing, stating he was at home and asleep at the time the crimes occurred. He also quickly realized there was no real evidence tying him to the crime. While DNA evidence subsequently confirmed his innocence, a crime lab employee is accused of filing a false report thereby allowing police to keep the 26-year-old jailed.
After serving 17-months behind bars for a crime he did not commit, the man was finally freed after his innocence was again confirmed by DNA evidence. He recently filed a lawsuit in which he is seeking compensation related to damages he suffered as a result of the many abuses of justice.
