DNA Clears Texas Man After 18 Years

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
They pretty much completely ruined that man's life with their mistake. 18 years in prison changes you. And they give him 250k for it? I bet they take taxes out of that too.

Who is "they?" Is it the original victim for the mis-identification? Is it the state for prosecuting? The jury for convicting?

If people were allowed to sue for unlimited amounts of money in cases like this our legal system would fall apart. What's next, suing the jury members for the verdict?

Yes, $250K is a pittance. But it is enough to start re-building a life.

Viper GTS

They as in the entire justice system, they at the very least owe this guy 18 years of the average state wage.

Are you saying that if it was YOU you would take 20k and walk awayhappy? I don't think so.

So in you mind, the arresting officers, the booking officers, the jailers, the prison security guards, the judge, the jurors, the prosecutor, the defense attorney, the court clerk, the bailiff, the stenographer, etc all need to personally pony-up the cash to rebuild this man's life? 😕

 

[wvtalbot]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
They pretty much completely ruined that man's life with their mistake. 18 years in prison changes you. And they give him 250k for it? I bet they take taxes out of that too.

Who is "they?" Is it the original victim for the mis-identification? Is it the state for prosecuting? The jury for convicting?

If people were allowed to sue for unlimited amounts of money in cases like this our legal system would fall apart. What's next, suing the jury members for the verdict?

Yes, $250K is a pittance. But it is enough to start re-building a life.

Viper GTS

They as in the entire justice system, they at the very least owe this guy 18 years of the average state wage.

Are you saying that if it was YOU you would take 20k and walk awayhappy? I don't think so.

So in you mind, the arresting officers, the booking officers, the jailers, the prison security guards, the judge, the jurors, the prosecutor, the defense attorney, the court clerk, the bailiff, the stenographer, etc all need to personally pony-up the cash to rebuild this man's life? 😕

They state will end up paying the money which is what should happen, by LAW the owe him up to 250k and it should be more, sickos like you think he should be shoved out the front door without so much as a "we're sorry" disgust me.

 

[ZOXXO]

The trial was deemed to be fair and just

How in the hell was convicting and sentencing an innocent man to imprisonment for 18 years, fair and just?

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
They pretty much completely ruined that man's life with their mistake. 18 years in prison changes you. And they give him 250k for it? I bet they take taxes out of that too.

Who is "they?" Is it the original victim for the mis-identification? Is it the state for prosecuting? The jury for convicting?

If people were allowed to sue for unlimited amounts of money in cases like this our legal system would fall apart. What's next, suing the jury members for the verdict?

Yes, $250K is a pittance. But it is enough to start re-building a life.

Viper GTS

As this becomes more and more common, which it will, laws will change. The cap will change. If this had happened in Texas, than my taxes funded this whole blunder. And I would want them to help fix it. Injustices like this really piss me off, because I put myself in his place. I'd be furious.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
They pretty much completely ruined that man's life with their mistake. 18 years in prison changes you. And they give him 250k for it? I bet they take taxes out of that too.

Who is "they?" Is it the original victim for the mis-identification? Is it the state for prosecuting? The jury for convicting?

If people were allowed to sue for unlimited amounts of money in cases like this our legal system would fall apart. What's next, suing the jury members for the verdict?

Yes, $250K is a pittance. But it is enough to start re-building a life.

Viper GTS

They as in the entire justice system, they at the very least owe this guy 18 years of the average state wage.

Are you saying that if it was YOU you would take 20k and walk awayhappy? I don't think so.

So in your mind, the arresting officers, the booking officers, the jailers, the prison security guards, the judge, the jurors, the prosecutor, the defense attorney, the court clerk, the bailiff, the stenographer, etc all need to personally pony-up the cash to rebuild this man's life? 😕

They state will end up paying the money which is what should happen, by LAW the owe him up to 250k and it should be more, sickos like you think he should be shoved out the front door without so much as a "we're sorry" disgust me.

The State? (Ooo.. shiver) You mean that giant, faceless entity, not composed of actual people? :roll:

:laugh: Can't wait until Spring Break is over and the 14-year-olds get back to school.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
They pretty much completely ruined that man's life with their mistake. 18 years in prison changes you. And they give him 250k for it? I bet they take taxes out of that too.

Who is "they?" Is it the original victim for the mis-identification? Is it the state for prosecuting? The jury for convicting?

If people were allowed to sue for unlimited amounts of money in cases like this our legal system would fall apart. What's next, suing the jury members for the verdict?

Yes, $250K is a pittance. But it is enough to start re-building a life.

Viper GTS

They as in the entire justice system, they at the very least owe this guy 18 years of the average state wage.

Are you saying that if it was YOU you would take 20k and walk awayhappy? I don't think so.

So in you mind, the arresting officers, the booking officers, the jailers, the prison security guards, the judge, the jurors, the prosecutor, the defense attorney, the court clerk, the bailiff, the stenographer, etc all need to personally pony-up the cash to rebuild this man's life? 😕

The state runs this show. So the state will end up paying. Also known as tax payers.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
They pretty much completely ruined that man's life with their mistake. 18 years in prison changes you. And they give him 250k for it? I bet they take taxes out of that too.

Who is "they?" Is it the original victim for the mis-identification? Is it the state for prosecuting? The jury for convicting?

If people were allowed to sue for unlimited amounts of money in cases like this our legal system would fall apart. What's next, suing the jury members for the verdict?

Yes, $250K is a pittance. But it is enough to start re-building a life.

Viper GTS

As this becomes more and more common, which it will, laws will change. The cap will change. If this had happened in Texas, than my taxes funded this whole blunder. And I would want them to help fix it. Injustices like this really piss me off, because I put myself in his place. I'd be furious.

Where would you suggest they pull the money from?

How about your children's schools? Local road repair? Fire a few cops in your neighborhood?

They can't simply print a bucketful of money for this guy, it has to come from somewhere.

Viper GTS

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
250k? for 18 years? Gotta love the Texas Justice system

Thats less than $14k per year, sucks actually

And it's probably more than he would have accumulated in savings if he wasn't in prison all that time.

Unless there was some malice on the part of the prosecutor or some extreme negligence, I think the guy should be considered lucky to get that much. He was given the opportunity to defend himself. The justice system cannot operate if prosecutors have to live in constant fear of being sued if the wrong man is convicted.

So 18 years of a persons life is only worth what they could save during that time?

That is the most heartless statement I have heard in quite a while.

Well, at least you continued reading past the first sentence! :thumbsup:

WHOSE FAULT is it that he was wrongly convicted of a crime?

 

[ForumMaster]

Originally posted by: EmperorIQ

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
250k? for 18 years? Gotta love the Texas Justice system

Thats less than $14k per year, sucks actually

at first when i read it, i thought 250k per year, sucks man. I think he can sue them though, for loss os wages pass present and future.

i agree. up to $250k isn't good enough. they took his life. he can sue for the 18 years, plus the wages he would have gotten would he still be working. this is a big deal. they took his life away. he can sue the state, and probablly get a lot more then $250k for his troubles.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
How much is 18 years of YOUR life worth?

Priceless. A few million dollars won't give those 18 years back.
But I don't think he's entitled to a few million dollars of everyone else in Texas' money.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: ForumMaster

he can sue the state, and probablly get a lot more then $250k for his troubles.

No he can't you moron, the state is protected (by laws) against this kind of thing. It's capped at $250K, and for good reason.

The whole reason we're talking about $250K is BECAUSE of that cap.

Viper GTS

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: ZOXXO

The trial was deemed to be fair and just

How in the hell was convicting and sentencing an innocent man to imprisonment for 18 years, fair and just?

😕 Are you serious? Unless it was shown that someone purposely lied or falsified evidence, then the trial was fair. Yes, it produced the incorrect result, but lest you forget, the Justice System is composed of human beings. And human beings are not infallible creatures.

Mistakes happen, and they should be fixed as quickly and as fully as possible, but you guys seem to be on a witch hunt for someone to crucify for this injustice. I'm just curious as to whom you think that person should be.

 

[Codewiz]

The police screwed up by giving hints to the victim. That is a big reason he went to jail. That enough is a reason to sue that police department. He probably would not have been picked had the police not suggested who committed the crime.

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
250k? for 18 years? Gotta love the Texas Justice system

Thats less than $14k per year, sucks actually

That whats I meant, this guy should be able to sue for millions.

Why?

How much is 18 years of YOUR life worth?

But who is he going to sue? 😕

I mean, he was convicted on the best evidence available at the time. The trial was deemed to be fair and just - but wrong. Are you gonna sue the judge? The jurors? The "witness" who picked him from the line-up? Or just arbitrarily sue "Texas" because you were wronged?

I agree that it's a ****** situation, but I don't get what "Sue 'em!" will accomplish.

He can sue the state. And he damn well should, this isn't some frivolous lawsuit dude they destroyed a mans life.

Actually, a jury of his peers destroyed his life.

Think about this case if you eer serve on a jury. Think about what constitutes proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: Codewiz
The police screwed up by giving hints to the victim. That is a big reason he went to jail. That enough is a reason to sue that police department. He probably would not have been picked had the police not suggested who committed the crime.

Link? Preferably to someplace other than your ass, which appears to be the place your pulled this little tidbit of "information." 😉

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
They pretty much completely ruined that man's life with their mistake. 18 years in prison changes you. And they give him 250k for it? I bet they take taxes out of that too.

Who is "they?" Is it the original victim for the mis-identification? Is it the state for prosecuting? The jury for convicting?

If people were allowed to sue for unlimited amounts of money in cases like this our legal system would fall apart. What's next, suing the jury members for the verdict?

Yes, $250K is a pittance. But it is enough to start re-building a life.

Viper GTS

As this becomes more and more common, which it will, laws will change. The cap will change. If this had happened in Texas, than my taxes funded this whole blunder. And I would want them to help fix it. Injustices like this really piss me off, because I put myself in his place. I'd be furious.

Where would you suggest they pull the money from?

How about your children's schools? Local road repair? Fire a few cops in your neighborhood?

They can't simply print a bucketful of money for this guy, it has to come from somewhere.

Viper GTS

That is the problem. There is no solution, and state's will not lift tort caps on themselves.

 

[DPmaster]

Originally posted by: DevilsAdvocate

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
They pretty much completely ruined that man's life with their mistake. 18 years in prison changes you. And they give him 250k for it? I bet they take taxes out of that too.

Who is "they?" Is it the original victim for the mis-identification? Is it the state for prosecuting? The jury for convicting?

If people were allowed to sue for unlimited amounts of money in cases like this our legal system would fall apart. What's next, suing the jury members for the verdict?

Yes, $250K is a pittance. But it is enough to start re-building a life.

Viper GTS

As this becomes more and more common, which it will, laws will change. The cap will change. If this had happened in Texas, than my taxes funded this whole blunder. And I would want them to help fix it. Injustices like this really piss me off, because I put myself in his place. I'd be furious.

Where would you suggest they pull the money from?

How about your children's schools? Local road repair? Fire a few cops in your neighborhood?

They can't simply print a bucketful of money for this guy, it has to come from somewhere.

Viper GTS

That is the problem. There is no solution, and state's will not lift tort caps on themselves.

Diverting a small portion of the money from the Texas Lottery would be the easiest solution. It would have a minimal impact. It's not like all the money from the Texas Lottery goes entirely to school funding (like it was originally supposed to). Wouldn't work too well though if there were a lot of cases like this...then again, there shouldn't be a lot of cases like this.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
They pretty much completely ruined that man's life with their mistake. 18 years in prison changes you. And they give him 250k for it? I bet they take taxes out of that too.

Who is "they?" Is it the original victim for the mis-identification? Is it the state for prosecuting? The jury for convicting?

If people were allowed to sue for unlimited amounts of money in cases like this our legal system would fall apart. What's next, suing the jury members for the verdict?

Yes, $250K is a pittance. But it is enough to start re-building a life.

Viper GTS

As this becomes more and more common, which it will, laws will change. The cap will change. If this had happened in Texas, than my taxes funded this whole blunder. And I would want them to help fix it. Injustices like this really piss me off, because I put myself in his place. I'd be furious.

Where would you suggest they pull the money from?

How about your children's schools? Local road repair? Fire a few cops in your neighborhood?

They can't simply print a bucketful of money for this guy, it has to come from somewhere.

Viper GTS

Because you know those are the only places tax payer money goes...lol.
Schools, Road Repair and Police Officers...lol.
I'm sure they can find more money for this man.

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

Originally posted by: DPmaster

Originally posted by: DevilsAdvocate

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
They pretty much completely ruined that man's life with their mistake. 18 years in prison changes you. And they give him 250k for it? I bet they take taxes out of that too.

Who is "they?" Is it the original victim for the mis-identification? Is it the state for prosecuting? The jury for convicting?

If people were allowed to sue for unlimited amounts of money in cases like this our legal system would fall apart. What's next, suing the jury members for the verdict?

Yes, $250K is a pittance. But it is enough to start re-building a life.

Viper GTS

As this becomes more and more common, which it will, laws will change. The cap will change. If this had happened in Texas, than my taxes funded this whole blunder. And I would want them to help fix it. Injustices like this really piss me off, because I put myself in his place. I'd be furious.

Where would you suggest they pull the money from?

How about your children's schools? Local road repair? Fire a few cops in your neighborhood?

They can't simply print a bucketful of money for this guy, it has to come from somewhere.

Viper GTS

That is the problem. There is no solution, and state's will not lift tort caps on themselves.

Diverting a small portion of the money from the Texas Lottery would be the easiest solution. It would have a minimal impact. It's not like all the money from the Texas Lottery goes entirely to school funding (like it was originally supposed to). Wouldn't work too well though if there were a lot of cases like this...then again, there shouldn't be a lot of cases like this.

There shouldn't be... and there wouldn't be if jury pools weren't chock full of drooling idiots who will rubber stamp whatever the DA wants.

 

[OdiN]

The guy probably comitted some other crime and got away with it so....meh.

 

[wvtalbot]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
They pretty much completely ruined that man's life with their mistake. 18 years in prison changes you. And they give him 250k for it? I bet they take taxes out of that too.

Who is "they?" Is it the original victim for the mis-identification? Is it the state for prosecuting? The jury for convicting?

If people were allowed to sue for unlimited amounts of money in cases like this our legal system would fall apart. What's next, suing the jury members for the verdict?

Yes, $250K is a pittance. But it is enough to start re-building a life.

Viper GTS

As this becomes more and more common, which it will, laws will change. The cap will change. If this had happened in Texas, than my taxes funded this whole blunder. And I would want them to help fix it. Injustices like this really piss me off, because I put myself in his place. I'd be furious.

Where would you suggest they pull the money from?

How about your children's schools? Local road repair? Fire a few cops in your neighborhood?

They can't simply print a bucketful of money for this guy, it has to come from somewhere.

Viper GTS

Because you know those are the only places tax payer money goes...lol.
Schools, Road Repair and Police Officers...lol.
I'm sure they can find more money for this man.

If the state couldn't afford to pay the money they shouldnt have jailed him for 18 years, and if you call the 1980s Texas Justice system anything but corrupt, skewed, and racist you don't know enough about it.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

If the state couldn't afford to pay the money they shouldnt have jailed him for 18 years, and if you call the 1980s Texas Justice system anything but corrupt, skewed, and racist you don't know enough about it.

And the very moment you provide information showing that this case experienced corrupt, skewed, and racist behavior, as shown by an independent investigation, I'll be 110% onboard with giving this man anything and everything he wants, on the taxpayers' expense.

Until then, however, all citizens of this country voluntarily submit that one of the "rights" of living in the US is that you can be accused of any crime and will receive a fair and just trial, by a jury of your peers - whose verdict, barring any proven unfairness or breach of justice, you agree to abide by.

If you, for whatever reason, do not agree to this system, then the US will not, to my knowledge, do anything to prevent you from leaving the country.

 

[ryan256]

Well.... here's another thing to think about. 250k will last this guy what... 7 maybe 8 years if used wisely? What is he supposed to do then?? Someone who has been in prison is going to have a very hard time getting a job. Most employers upon seeing an 18 year gap in his resume will automatically file 13 it in favor of more suitable candidates.

 

[wvtalbot]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

If the state couldn't afford to pay the money they shouldnt have jailed him for 18 years, and if you call the 1980s Texas Justice system anything but corrupt, skewed, and racist you don't know enough about it.

And the very moment you provide information showing that this case experienced corrupt, skewed, and racist behavior, as shown by an independent investigation, I'll be 110% onboard with giving this man anything and everything he wants, on the taxpayers' expense.

Until then, however, all citizens of this country voluntarily submit that one of the "rights" of living in the US is that you can be accused of any crime and will receive a fair and just trial, by a jury of your peers - whose verdict, barring any proven unfairness or breach of justice, you agree to abide by.

If you, for whatever reason, do not agree to this system, then the US will not, to my knowledge, do anything to prevent you from leaving the country.

Yeah, too bad for you your opinion doesn't matter though and even the state of Texas itself thinks this man deserves compensation, don't like it go lobby somewhere.

 

[erikistired]

Originally posted by: GhostDoggy

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
250k? for 18 years? Gotta love the Texas Justice system

I'm wondering if he can take civil action against the women that accused him.

yes let's send victims of crimes the message that if they mistakenly finger someone they get sued. that will certainly not let criminals roam free without fear of being identified. they'll save money in masks, that's for sure.