Man seeks $18M in damages for wrongful conviction

It sure takes a lot for a black man to be freed in Mississippi. Cleared by DNA in 2002 he was not released until 2007 -- and only then because another man confessed. More on the judical chicanery here

A Brooksville man who spent 15 years in jail and served time on death row for a crime he was cleared of is suing two of the men he claims put him behind bars.

Kennedy Brewer has filed a lawsuit against Dr. Steven Hayne and Dr. Michael West. Brewer is seeking $18 million in compulsory damages, plus punitive damages from both defendants.

In 1995, Brewer was convicted of the 1992 rape and murder of his former girlfriend’s 3-year-old daughter. The lawsuit says Brewer’s ordeal was the result of the wrongful actions by both doctors, who submitted false bite mark evidence.

In 2002, his conviction was overturned after DNA evidence proved Brewer’s did not match what was found in the victim. On Aug. 31, 2007, Brewer became a free man after another man confessed to the murder.

Original report here



(And don't forget your ration of Wicked Thoughts for today)