A false imprisonment lawsuit in New York City could cost the Big Apple $25 million-over $1 million for every year an innocent man spent behind bars. Derrick Deacon was locked up for a crime he didn’t commit in 1989 after a trial that, new court documents allege, was orchestrated by officials behind the scenes. Deacon, who is now 58-years old, was arrested, tried, and convicted for a gang slaying in 1989 after several witnesses testified that they saw him running away from the crime scene. He spent 23 years behind bars before being able to convince a judge to consider all the evidence against him.
When his request for a retrial was granted in 2012, a New York City judge found him innocent of all charges and freed him after years of false imprisonment. This case has shown a light on the weaknesses inherent in the court system and also on some shady dealings allegedly perpetrated by New York City officials. At least one witness who testified at Deacon’s earlier trial recanted her testimony saying that she was coached about what she should say on the stand and threatened with the loss of her children if she didn’t say what she was supposed to.
While in prison, his mother, the mother of his children, and a beloved aunt all passed away. He decided to stand up for his rights and seek punitive damages from New York City for wrongfully imprisoning him for so long. He says while it’s too late for him to watch his children grow, he hopes that whatever money he may be awarded can be used to send his grandchildren to college.
Recent false arrest lawsuits have resulted in tremendous monetary awards for false imprisonment victims in New York City including $560,000 for the 13 months a young man spent in jail and a whopping $2.4 million for false imprisonment and police brutality against an innocent man in 2009.
A false imprisonment attorney in New York City can help you or your loved ones seek justice and monetary compensation for time you wrongfully spent in custody. If you or a loved one has been falsely arrested and imprisoned, call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel for a free consultation to learn your rights at or 212-385-1122.