Derris Lewis and City of Columbus reach $950,000 settlement

• thedynasty1998

  

  For those who live in Columbus, I'm sure you are well aware of the murder charges against Derris Lewis against his twin brother.
  
  The City has agreed to a payout of $950,000 due to their fault in the accusations.
  
  I'm glad to hear that he has tried to move on and is taking classes at Ohio State. Just a horrible situation for him and his family.
  
  Personally, I thought the payout would have been a much larger number.
  
  http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/02/10/derris-lewis.html?sid=101
• gerb131

  

  Looks like Cols got off easy. I was thinking 2-3mill.
• darbypitcher22

  

  good that they figured out they messed up and ponied up the dough for it
• UA5straightin2008

  

  they said with interest over the 20 years it will be like 1.2 mill, paid in monthly stipends
  
  thats 5,000 a month for 20 years...not too shabby
• Little Danny

  

  The settlement amount is a compromise by both sides. Both parties have to evaluate the risk and benefits of proceeding to trial. Yes, it was likely the city had lost a big dollar at trial but the plaintiff had to consider their risk as well. Perhaps they were concerned the jury would not render a large verdict as they were concerned the city was strapped for cash. Maybe there were other factors the plaintiff did not want to have exposed at trial which could have either led to embarrassment or even a defense verdict.
  
  Keep in mind, this was a civil lawsuit not a criminal trial. The standard for a civil lawsuit is not by a reasonable doubt, but based on the proponderance of the evidence or the greater weight of the evidence. The lawyer for the city would defend the police by defending the case within the case---- the greater weight of the evidence supports Lewis may have committed the crime. Think the OJ Simpson murder trial. He walked at the criminal trial but a civil jury found him negligent.
  
  Perhaps the plaintiff thought the amount was fair and was ready to move on with his life.
  
  $950K with a structured annuity is a nice chunk of change for someone. Keep in mind, the plaintiff will not have to pay any taxes on that money (except for the annuity and only at the time of withdrawal, unless funded by the city).
• september63

  

  You taxpayers in Franklin County just footed that bill. Hows that make you feel?
• Little Danny

  

  september63 wrote: You taxpayers in Franklin County just footed that bill. Hows that make you feel?

  Lewis's lawyer was afraid the jury may have that exact thought. That is why trying these types of cases is difficult for the plaintiff.
• Sage

  

  Novice. Settled for too little.
• Scarlet_Fever

  

  I too am surprised it is that small an amount. The guy was jailed for the murder of his twin because of a greasy palm print on the wall. They didn't even check to see if the substance was blood. (well at first)
• thedynasty1998

  

  You know what is really scary, that he went to trial and was close to a verdict before there was a mistrial.
  
  I don't know how the trial went, but what a nightmare it would have been if the jury came back and had found him guilty.