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$500,000 Verdict in Pennsylvania Legal Malpractice Claim
The plaintiff in this case was charged with rape and indecent
assault against a woman who was present at an orgy. Plaintiff said the
matter was a consensual encounter.
Plaintiff was held in Pennsylvania's Holmesburg Prison in lieu of 10% of a
$50,000 bond, as he could not raise the $5,000. His court-appointed
attorney did not come to see the plaintiff or file a motion to reduce the
bond as requested. The attorney wrote the plaintiff's mother a letter
that stated, among other things, I have defended some homicide defendants
who were kinder to their victims." It also stated, It is not impossible
to win your case, but it is very difficult.
Five months later, plaintiff retained a new defense attorney, a bail
petition was made within three days (reducing the bail to 10% of $20,000)
and the plaintiff was out of prison within seven days. In April 1994, the
district attorney dropped the charges. On September 17, 1996, a jury
awarded the plaintiff $500,000. He was represented by Daniel Silverman of
Philadelphia. See: Sprady v. Doe, Philadelphia County Court, Case No. P5-
0701039.
assault against a woman who was present at an orgy. Plaintiff said the
matter was a consensual encounter.
Plaintiff was held in Pennsylvania's Holmesburg Prison in lieu of 10% of a
$50,000 bond, as he could not raise the $5,000. His court-appointed
attorney did not come to see the plaintiff or file a motion to reduce the
bond as requested. The attorney wrote the plaintiff's mother a letter
that stated, among other things, I have defended some homicide defendants
who were kinder to their victims." It also stated, It is not impossible
to win your case, but it is very difficult.
Five months later, plaintiff retained a new defense attorney, a bail
petition was made within three days (reducing the bail to 10% of $20,000)
and the plaintiff was out of prison within seven days. In April 1994, the
district attorney dropped the charges. On September 17, 1996, a jury
awarded the plaintiff $500,000. He was represented by Daniel Silverman of
Philadelphia. See: Sprady v. Doe, Philadelphia County Court, Case No. P5-
0701039.
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Related legal case
Sprady v. Doe
| Year | 1996 |
|---|---|
| Cite | Philadelphia County Court, Case No. P5-0701039. |
| Level | State Trial Court |
| Conclusion | Jury Verdict |
| Attorney Fees | 0 |
| Damages | 500000 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |