Ryan Ferguson, the Columbia man released from prison in 2013 when his conviction was thrown out after he was jailed 10 years for murder, won an $11 million judgment in federal court Monday.
Law Offices of Kathleen T. Zellner. Kathleen Zellner wins a record $11 million verdict for ryan ferguson. The $11,004,000.00 verdict sets a national record for a fabrication claim. Ryan Ferguson, wrongfully convicted in Columbia death, wins $11 million β The Kansas City Star.
^ a b "Ryan Ferguson Files $100 Million Lawsuit against Judge Kevin Crane, former CoMo Police Chief Randy Boehm, and others". The Columbia Heart Beat. March 10, 2014.
Charles Erickson, a friend of Ferguson who testified against him, later recanted his testimony and said it had been coerced. The lawsuit initially included the city of Columbia; Boone County; circuit Judge Kevin Crane, who prosecuted Ferguson; several police officers; and other investigators who worked on the case.
the Boonville Correctional CenterFerguson always maintained his innocence, but a jury found him guilty in 2005, mainly based on Erickson's testimony. That conviction was overturned in 2013, and Ferguson was released. Erickson is currently incarcerated at the Boonville Correctional Center.
Ultimately, all defendants were dismissed except for six police officers. In an October 2020 settlement hearing, a judge awarded Ferguson $11 millionβ$1 million for each year that he had spent in prison and $1 million for legal expenses.
Zellner and her team of trial lawyers have won groundbreaking judgments and verdicts β and tens of millions of dollars in damages β for clients from all walks of life. Ms. Zellner is the only attorney in the country to have won five multi-million dollar verdicts in less than a year.
$11 millionAs part of a settlement with Columbia along with the city's police chief and prosecutors in a wrongful-death suit, Ferguson was paid over $11 million. In addition to the $2, the city and the insurer settled it. A combined $75 million will be provided to Ferguson by the federal and state governments.
The Amazing Race season 33 contestant Ryan Ferguson spent nearly 10 years in prison after being wrongly convicted of a homicide. Now, he is appearing on The Amazing Race season 33, which was halted production temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Robert ZellnerKathleen Zellner / Spouse
Robert ZellnerKathleen Zellner / Husband
Mr Avery's lawyer Ms Zellner had been seeking to introduce new evidence that cast fresh doubt on the convictions. Mr Avery filed a civil suit seeking $36 million in compensation from Manitowoc County for the wrongful conviction on rape charges. The case was eventually settled for $400,000 in 2016.
A judge vacated his sentence in 2013. After leaving prison, Ferguson filed a civil lawsuit against six Columbia police officers involved in his case. Judge Glen Dietrich ordered St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance pay Ryan Ferguson $1 million per year for the five years he spent in prison while the policy was in effect.
Ryan Ferguson is now competing on Season 33 of 'The Amazing Race. ' While many know Ferguson from his advocacy work and from his false imprisonment, some will be introduced to him for the first time when he competes alongside his longtime friend, Dusty Harris, on The Amazing Race Season 33.