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Dutchess County's Settlement of Wrongful Conviction Suit is Costing $9.4 Million

Oh, Dutchess County, home of my New York ancestors from 265 years ago, what have you done?

In 1977 Dewey Bozella was wrongfully convicted for murder and spent 26 years in prison. He was released in 2009 after a judge ordered that he should have a new trial because prosecutors withheld evidence. But the D.A. did not seek a new trial.

Bozella then sued for wrongful conviction (as he should have) and recently settled his case for $7.5 million. Dutchess County isn't rich, and its insurance company refuses to provide coverage, so the County had to borrow the money to pay the settlement. Plus, legal fees and related expenses have been $1.36 million.

The settlement, legal fees, and interest in borrowing the money to pay the settlement, have added up to $9.4 million so far. And, for now, the taxpayers of Dutchess get stuck with the bill.
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