$1 Million Settlement for New Jersey Man Exonerated after 18 Years Wrongful Imprisonment
$1 Million Settlement for New Jersey Man Exonerated after 18 Years Wrongful Imprisonment
A New Jersey man exonerated after serving 18 years for murder and sexual assault received a $1 million settlement. The exoneration was the result of DNA evidence.
Larry L. Peterson was found guilty on March 17, 1989, and sentenced to life imprisonment with 40 years of parole ineligibility. Represented by The Innocence Project, Peterson moved in July 2012 to obtain DNA testing of evidence, as provided by a new state law. Initially, the trial court denied the motion, but an appellate court overturned that decision.
DNA testing conducted in 2004 resulted in two reports that found the hair evidence and semen taken from victim’s body did not match Peterson’s DNA. Based upon those results, Peterson moved on April 27, 2005, for his conviction to be vacated. That motion was unopposed by the prosecution and was granted on July 29, 2005.
Peterson then brought suit in federal court and filed a parallel state court action for compensation for his 18 years of wrongful imprisonment. On July 20, 2010, both lawsuits were settled for $1 million. Peterson was represented by attorneys Surinder K. Aggarwal and William H. Buckman.
See: Peterson v. Bernardi, USDC, D, New Jersey. Case No. 1107-CV-02723
As a digital subscriber to Prison Legal News, you can access full text and downloads for this and other premium content.
Already a subscriber? Login
Related legal case
Peterson v. Bernardi
| Year | 2010 |
|---|---|
| Cite | USDC, D, New Jersey. Case No. 1107-CV-02723 |
| Level | District Court |
| Conclusion | Settlement |
| Damages | 1,000,000.00 |