Wrongful imprisonment lawsuit at an impasse
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AMHERST, N.Y. — Lynn Dejac Peters and her lawyers say her wrongful imprisonment lawsuit against the state is at an impasse.
Dejac was released from prison in 2007 after nearly 14 years behind bars. DNA evidence determined she was not responsible for the death of her daughter.
Dejac's lawyer Steve Cohen says there's a Court of Appeals precedent setting damages for wrongful imprisonment at a half-million dollars per year spent in prison.
Cohen, however, says Dejac suffered extraordinary hardships and $ 1 million a year would be more appropriate.
"They come out one minute and she's murdered, they put me in prison for 14 years. And then they come out and say wait a minute, it's an accidental cocaine overdose, and then they come back and say she's murdered," Dejac said.
Dejac's lawyers will ask a judge to move the case forward at a hearing next week.
No court date has yet been set.