Lawsuit Settlement Funding Reports $9 Million Settlement for Wrongful Convictions after Two Innocent Men Spent 16 Years behind Bars

BRONX, N.Y., Nov. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Legal-Bay LLC, The Lawsuit Settlement Funding Company, reported today that a $9 million settlement was reached earlier this month in New York for two men who were wrongfully convicted in 1993 over a homicide that took place in 1989. Danny Colon, who is 50 years old now, and Anthony Ortiz, 44 years old, spent 16 years behind bars for a crime they did not commit. They were both "arrested on the word of a single witness – a former close friend turned junkie," according to NY Daily News. The pair of men sued the city, the state, and the city housing authority for the verdicts which put both men behind bars and left them there for sixteen years despite their innocence. According to NY Daily News, the $9 million settlement was "the second highest ever involving the Manhattan district attorney's office." Colon and Ortiz were in the process of serving 50 years to life after being convicted in 1993, but they won their appeal in 2009. They have since regained their freedom, and now, they've been awarded a $9 million payout for spending 16 years behind bars after being wrongfully convicted. Although the high settlement provides a hefty sum of money and a better future, neither men can get back those 16 years they spent behind bars.

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Chris Janish, CEO commented on the prosecutorial misconduct that occurred in this case, "This case is one that the public needs to take a long hard look at, as Legal-Bay does with all of the NY wrongful conviction cases. These men were wrongfully convicted even in spite of Mr. Colon's request for the prosecution to hand over 'Brady material' that would have cleared both of them. The fact that the prosecution deliberately withheld the material indicates an egregious act that should also place scrutiny on the individual prosecutors. Until society starts to recognize that this is commonplace, so many innocent people and their families will suffer, and tax payers will continue to pay sums of money to victims. Unfortunately, the money is never enough to get those lost years back. I am impressed by the diligence and perseverance these men showed by never giving up the fight through so many appeals. "

Other cases involving wrongful imprisonment, including the Central Park Jogger Case, have also settled. A federal judge approved a $41 million civil rights settlement to five men who were wrongfully convicted of a beating/rape crime which happened in 1989. The men, also known as the Central Park Five, were Hispanic and black, sparking questions of prejudice against race, and they were convicted in 1990, serving between 7 and 13 years in prison. In another case, Marty Tankleff was awarded over $3.3 million by New York State after being wrongfully convicted and spending 17 years in prison for the murder of his parents.

Legal-Bay is a public advocate for wrongfully convicted cases and offers recently released inmates an opportunity to receive pre-settlement funding now to get their lives back in order and live with dignity again. To learn more about Legal-Bay's wrongful imprisonment funding programs visit: http://lawsuitssettlementfunding.com/wrongful-imprisonment.php   

There are many other cases where wrongful imprisonment remains in question. Organizations, like the Innocent Project, have been founded for the sole purpose of aiding those who have been wrongfully convicted. The Innocence Project is a non-profit legal clinic, and according to their website, "The Innocence Project is a national litigation and public policy organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals through DNA testing and reforming the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice." Scientific discoveries and improvements regarding DNA testing have been a major factor in changing the way the criminal justice system works. DNA evidence has provided scientific proof, in some cases, that innocent people have been convicted for crimes they did not commit. Firm in their dedication to aiding victims of wrongful imprisonment, Legal-Bay stands ready to assist those who have been wrongfully convicted for crimes they did not commit.

Here are just some of the cases that Legal-Bay has funded recently and/or accepted applications on:

Wrongfully Imprisoned for murder for 15 years (2 Co-Defendants in New York (NY) who were sentenced to Attica Upstate NY Prison), Police Brutality Case in Detroit, Michigan where family member Suspect was shot and killed, Inmates subject to unsafe prison conditions and outside work crews who were seriously injured in Tennessee and Indiana (prison injury lawsuit funding cases), Women Prison Rape Cases and Sexual Misconduct by Correction Officers in Wisconsin, Police Brutality Case where a New York/New Jersey Port Authority Police Officer senselessly beat an innocent man in Manhattan, and Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, and Brooklyn, New York young men who were falsely arrested on Gun, Knife, and Weapon Charges who were then detained for years on Rikers Island, New York's City/County Jail.

Other cases that Legal-Bay's underwriting team will consider for lawsuit funding are listed below:

Violation of Civil Rights Claims and False Arrests, Illegal Search and Seizure Cases, Los Angeles, California or other State Police Brutality Cases during routine arrests, Prosecutorial Misconduct involving long term wrongful incarceration, and Prison Medical Malpractice Cases involving serious neglect of injuries. 

Legal-Bay advises any people who have suffered through wrongful imprisonment to contact a law firm immediately. Legal-Bay can assist you with obtaining a free legal consultation with a wrongful imprisonment lawyer or wrongful imprisonment law firm. You can inquire directly with us at: http://lawsuitssettlementfunding.com/contact-us.php

Legal-Bay's programs are non-recourse lawsuit cash advances, also known as case funding, which means you only repay the settlement advance if you win your case. None of the programs should be considered to be a lawsuit loan, lawsuit loans, settlement loans, settlement loan, pre-settlement loans, or a pre-settlement loan. To learn more about how Legal-Bay's funding process works, visit: http://lawsuitssettlementfunding.com/funding-process.php

If you, or a loved one, are in need of some financial support due to being a victim of "The System", feel free to call Legal-Bay on its toll free hotline at: 877.571.0405 where live agents are standing by 24 hours a day to assist you in this time of need. You may also apply online at: http://lawsuitssettlementfunding.com and an agent will respond to your request shortly. 

SOURCE Legal-Bay LLC