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| Man Wrongfully Imprisoned Sues for $75 Million |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 04/29/2002 |
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An Oklahoma man who was imprisoned 15 years on a rape conviction then exonerated by DNA tests filed a $75 million lawsuit recently alleging a police chemist conspired with a prosecutor to produce false evidence against him. ''I'll prove that they knew I was innocent from the day they arrested me,'' Jeffrey T. Pierce, 40, said at a news conference. ''They just needed somebody to more or less get a high-profile case off the books.'' A jury found Pierce guilty in 1986 based on the victim's mistaken identification of him and chemist Joyce Gilchrist's testimony that hair left by the rapist was ''microscopically consistent'' with Pierce's hair. Gilchrist, now retired, has been accused by the FBI of doing shoddy work and testifying beyond her expertise. Federal investigators say hair and fibers were misidentified in Pierce's case and others, prompting authorities to review hundreds of her cases. Pierce's federal lawsuit also named the police department and retired District Attorney Robert H. Macy, alleging Macy had a policy of using Gilchrist's testimony and evidence to secure convictions. ''It is clear that Joyce Gilchrist falsified evidence,'' said Pierce attorney Clark Brewster. ''It is also clear that Robert Macy directed, orchestrated and was involved in the presentation of this evidence.'' Debra Forshee, spokeswoman for the district attorney's office, said authorities regret that DNA technology that exonerated Pierce wasn't available when the crime was committed. ''But prosecutors and county officials are protected by absolute immunity. And we will vigorously defend the right and duty of government officials and prosecutors to enforce the law,'' she said. Another of Pierce's lawyers said attorneys filed the suit under a federal law that allows a person to sue a government officer or agent for violating that person's constitutional rights. The suit also accuses the state, Oklahoma City and Oklahoma County of allowing Pierce to be deprived of his constitutional rights. |
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