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$105,000 Awarded in Michigan Wrongful Imprisonment Suit
On April 14, 1999, a Wayne county jury in Michigan awarded Willie Thomas Jr., Larry Reid and Edward Grant $35,000 in damages each. The three men had been Michigan state prisoners who were released after serving their entire sentences. Several months later, the Michigan DOC ordered their arrest claiming that they had miscalculated the men's sentences.
The men were arrested and imprisoned in the state prison in Jackson without any type of hearing or judicial process. While imprisoned they were held in segregation and denied all phone access as well as any means to contact their families and employers. The men filed suit in state court claiming the defendant prison officials had violated their right to due process of law.
The jury awarded each of the men $30,000 in compensatory damages and $5,000 in punitive damages, plus undisclosed attorney fees. Sources did not state how much time the men spent in prison before being released. See: Thomas v. Pogats, Wayne County Circuit Court, Case No. 97-704582-N0.
Source: Michigan Trial Reporter
The men were arrested and imprisoned in the state prison in Jackson without any type of hearing or judicial process. While imprisoned they were held in segregation and denied all phone access as well as any means to contact their families and employers. The men filed suit in state court claiming the defendant prison officials had violated their right to due process of law.
The jury awarded each of the men $30,000 in compensatory damages and $5,000 in punitive damages, plus undisclosed attorney fees. Sources did not state how much time the men spent in prison before being released. See: Thomas v. Pogats, Wayne County Circuit Court, Case No. 97-704582-N0.
Source: Michigan Trial Reporter
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Related legal case
Thomas v. Pogats
| Year | 1999 |
|---|---|
| Cite | Wayne Co. Cir. Court, Case #97-704582-NO. |
| Level | State Trial Court |
| Conclusion | Jury Verdict |
| Damages | 105000 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |