Innocent Man Who Spent 26 Years In Prison Settles For $2.5 Million

By ED WHITE
Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) - The city of Detroit has agreed to pay $2.5 million to a man who spent 26 years in prison for a rape he didn't commit.

Walter Swift was released in 2008 after prosecutors backed away from his 1982 conviction. He was found guilty of raping a Detroit woman based on police misconduct and a bad trial lawyer.

Evidence that would have helped him never got to the jury.

Attorney Julie Hurwitz says the settlement allows Swift "to heal." But she says the deal is a "travesty" because she believes the city should be paying much more.

Hurwitz told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Swift accepted it because a trial could have brought much uncertainty. The lawsuit was filed in 2010.

One-third of the settlement will go to lawyers.

© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.