“Family of Framed Man Sues City and Police”

An intriguing story, Family of Framed Man Sues City and Police – NYTimes.com., because the wrongfully convicted and imprisoned man, David Ranta, has already settled with the City:

The family of a man wrongfully convicted in Brooklyn has sued the city and police officers, asking for $15 million — even though the man, David Ranta, had already reached a settlement with the city.

Mr. Ranta was released in 2013 after spending more than two decades in prison for killing a Hasidic rabbi, after revisited evidence showed he all but certainly did not do it. An eyewitness said that a police detective, Louis Scarcella, whose methods have come under attack, coached him to pick Mr. Ranta from the lineup, and two other witnesses said they had lied.

Mr. Ranta settled with the city for $6.4 million in February, the product of an unusual decision by the city comptroller, Scott M. Stringer, to pay Mr. Ranta before he had filed a suit. Usually, the city’s corporation counsel defends such cases, which can take years to decide.

It is not unheard-of for family members to subsequently file claims, but they often are dismissed, lawyers said.

“David Ranta is the sole claimant with whom we settled,” Eric Sumberg, a spokesman for Mr. Stringer, said. “Anyone is allowed to file claims with our office and we will evaluate all claims based on their merits.”

A spokesman for the corporation counsel declined to comment.

Mr. Ranta’s former wife, son and daughter are suing the city, the Police Department, Mr. Scarcella and the detective’s partner, Stephen W. Chmil.

Peter C. Dee, the Ranta family’s lawyer, said the family has been “ripped apart” and “hopefully through this action they will obtain some closure.”

I don’t think this lawsuit will be settled.

 

This entry was posted in Law, suits and order and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink.