Jury Awards $34 Million To American Woman Who Was Wrongfully Jailed For 16 Years Over A 2001 Murder

Source: Africa Publicity

A federal jury in Nevada has awarded Kirstin Lobato, now 41, more than $34 million in damages for her wrongful conviction and imprisonment for nearly 16 years. Lobato was exonerated in 2017 after being twice convicted of the 2001 killing of a homeless man, Duran Bailey, in Las Vegas.

Background

Lobato was 18 when she was arrested and charged with Bailey’s murder. Despite no physical evidence or witnesses linking her to the crime, police claimed she confessed to killing Bailey while in jail. Lobato maintained her innocence, stating she never met Bailey.

Wrongful Convictions

Lobato’s first conviction in 2002 was overturned by the Nevada Supreme Court in 2004 due to inadequate cross-examination of a prosecution witness. Her second conviction in 2006 resulted in a 13- to 45-year prison sentence.

Exoneration

In 2017, the Innocence Project and Las Vegas attorneys successfully petitioned the state Supreme Court to overturn Lobato’s conviction, citing evidence that she was in her hometown of Panaca, 150 miles from Las Vegas, when Bailey was killed.

Civil Trial

The federal jury found Las Vegas police and two retired detectives, Thomas Thowsen and James LaRochelle, fabricated evidence and intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon Lobato. The jury awarded $34 million in compensatory damages and $10,000 in punitive damages from each detective.

Reaction

Lobato, who now goes by the name Blaise, expressed relief and uncertainty about her future, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported, quoting her as saying “It’s been an uphill battle with many obstacles,” she said. “I’m happy it’s all finally finished.”

The Las Vegas police department previously agreed to pay damages if the jury ruled in Lobato’s favor. The detectives’ attorney, Craig Anderson, declined to comment and indicated an appeal is likely.

This verdict marks a significant victory for Lobato and highlights the need for accountability within law enforcement.