A federal jury awarded $50 million in damages to Marcel Brown, a man from suburban Chicago, after he was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent nearly 10 years in prison. Brown was released in 2018 and officially exonerated in 2019.
Wrongful Conviction and Imprisonment
Marcel Brown, now 34, was arrested at the age of 18 and sentenced to 35 years in prison for allegedly being an accomplice in the 2008 murder of Paris Jackson, a 19-year-old from Chicago’s Galewood neighborhood. After spending nearly a decade behind bars, Brown’s case was dropped in 2018 following crucial testimony from his mother and an attorney, both of whom had been prevented from speaking to him during his arrest and interrogation.
Lawsuit Filed Against City and Police Officers
In 2019, Brown filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Chicago, several police officers, an assistant Cook County state’s attorney, and Cook County itself. His suit accused the defendants of violating his constitutional rights, malicious prosecution, and emotional distress. The lawsuit claimed Brown was coerced into giving a false confession during an illegal interrogation that lasted more than a day, during which he was denied access to legal representation.
Jury’s Verdict and Breakdown of Damages
On Monday, a federal jury reached a unanimous decision, awarding Brown $50 million in damages. The jury divided the compensation into two parts: $10 million for his pretrial detention and $40 million for the time he spent in prison after his wrongful conviction. Additionally, the jurors ordered a detective involved in the case to pay $50,000 in punitive damages.
Reaction to the Verdict
Speaking outside the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in downtown Chicago after the verdict, Brown expressed his relief and gratitude. “Justice was finally served for me and my family today,” Brown said, surrounded by his attorneys and loved ones. “We’re just thankful, being able to be here today. Thank you, jurors.”
Brown’s attorney, Locke Bowman from the law firm Loevy & Loevy, called the verdict a “wake-up call” for city officials, urging them to address the problematic interrogation tactics used by the Chicago Police Department.
