A man exonerated after spending over two decades in prison for murders in Queens that he did not commit will receive a $17.5 million settlement from New York City, an apparent record, according to his lawyer and city data.
Mr. Bell was sentenced in 1999 to life in prison without parole.
In 2021, a judge threw out the three men’s convictions and admonished prosecutors for withholding evidence that could have cast doubt on their guilt.
The judge also found that prosecutors had made false statements at trial.
“These three defendants were undoubtedly wronged by the district attorney’s office’s misconduct,” the judge, Joseph A. Zayas of the Appellate Division of State Supreme Court, wrote in his decision.
Persons:
George Bell, Gary Johnson, Rohan Bolt, Bell, Joseph A . Zayas
Organizations:
Division
Locations:
Queens, New York City, East Elmhurst