Community Corner
$9.5 Million Settlement In New Haven Wrongful Imprisonment Suit
A man who served nearly 20 years in prison had murder charges dismissed and then sued the city for wrongfully imprisoning him.
NEW HAVEN, CT — A man who served nearly 20 years in prison for a murder charge that was later dismissed has settled with the city for $9.5 million.
Scott Lewis, 52, had charges dismissed in 2015, according to the New Haven Register. He was convicted of killing former Hill Alderman Ricardo Turner and his lover Lamont Fields.
The FBI investigated and found that Detective Vincent Raucci was involved in the city's cocaine trade and had a witness testify that Lewis and Stefon Morant were involved in the murder, according to the New Haven Independent. The witness was arrested by Raucci for another murder and Raucci promised to let him go, according to a federal appeals ruling.
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Mayor Toni Harp said the city could have spent up to $18 million and decided settling was the less costly option. The city will go into debt to pay the settlement.
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Read the full Independent report here.
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