As detailed in this article, five men falsely convicted of the infamous Central Park rape have reached a $40 million settlement with New York City.
Amid racial tension and unrest in NYC, on April 19, 1989, a female jogger was brutally beaten and raped in Central Park. In efforts to curb the city’s outrage over the horrific crime, city officials were in a frenzy to find and punish those responsible. The night of the attack, police received reports of “wolf packs” made up of black and latino teens roaming Central Park. Five teenage boys were arrested and later convicted of the crime. Then Mayor Ed Koch called the attack “the crime of the century,” and Donald Trump started an intensive campaign for the death penalty to be reinstated.
Throughout the criminal process, the five men maintained their innocence and alleged police railroaded them during their interrogations. The men were eventually found guilty of the attack. Four were in prison just under seven years, the fifth served almost thirteen years. After an incarcerated career criminal confessed to the crime and DNA evidence was provided to substantiate his claim, the five men were exonerated.
In a response to the settlement reached between the parties, Senator Bill Perkins stated, “This chapter of our racist history needs to be closed and never repeated again.”
If you or someone you know believes they have been the victim of a false arrest or malicious prosecution, the team at Radford & Keebaugh can help. Contact us by phone at (678) 369-3609 or use our contact form.