Maurice Hastings reached a $25 million settlement with the city of Inglewood, the largest wrongful conviction settlement in California history, according to Los Angeles County court documents released on 24/9.
"No amount of money can restore 38 years of my stolen life," Hastings said, "But this settlement is a welcome conclusion to a very long journey, and I look forward to continuing my life."
The wrongful conviction stemmed from a 1983 murder case. The victim, Roberta, was sexually assaulted and killed by a single gunshot to the head. Her body was found in the trunk of her car in suburban Inglewood, Los Angeles.
Hastings was accused of murder despite no physical evidence linking him to the robbery, murder, and sexual assault. The accusation was based solely on his resemblance to a suspect. Several witnesses corroborated his alibi, but their testimonies were dismissed.
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Maurice Hastings rejoices after being exonerated after 38 years in prison. Photo: *ABC* |
Prosecutors pursued the charges, seeking the death penalty. A jury convicted Hastings, but due to a lack of unanimous agreement, he received a life sentence without parole in 1988.
According to the prosecutor's office, during the victim's autopsy, investigators performed a sexual assault examination and discovered semen on an oral swab.
Hastings maintained his innocence from the time of his arrest and requested DNA testing on this sample in 2000 to clear his name. However, the prosecutor's office denied his request.
His request was finally granted in 2022. The test results in June of that year revealed the semen was not his. It matched a convicted sex offender. In that case, the female victim was also placed in a car trunk and forced into oral sex.
The actual perpetrator was arrested for car theft just three weeks after Roberta's murder. Police found jewelry and a coin purse matching Roberta's belongings, but he was not investigated at the time. This oversight led to Hastings' nearly four-decade wrongful imprisonment.
The true perpetrator died in prison in 2020 for other crimes, according to court documents.
Hastings was released in 2022 and officially exonerated the following year. He then sued for wrongful conviction, accusing Inglewood Police Department officers and Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office investigators of misconduct and framing him.
"Police departments across California and nationwide should take note that they will pay dearly for such egregious misconduct within their ranks," Hastings’ lawyer said after the $25 million settlement.
The lawyer added that his client is now enjoying peaceful years after 38 years of irreparable wrongful imprisonment.
Hai Thu (*ABC, CNN, LA Times*)
