23 years innocent in prison - millions in compensation

In 1995 there was a terrible murder in America, in which the 34-year-old Donna Meagher was killed. After a short while, the authorities were happy to solve the investigation: Two suspects were caught and sentenced to a lifelong in prison for their crime. Now, after 23 years in prison both men were now acquitted. They received compensation payment of a total of 12 million US-Dollar.

The men who were acquitted as innocent are called Paul Jenkins (66) and Joe Lawrence (58). Around a quarter of a century ago they were sentenced in the US-Court as guilty of killing the 34-year old Donna Meagher. A fatal mistake, as it eventually turned out. The progression of events is still not clear. Both men were sitting for 23 years in prison when they were innocent and they are not anymore suspected of killing the young mother.

The casino murder of 1995 - a reconstruction

It was a dull day in January 1995, when the 34-year old victim had finished work around 9 pm in Jackson Creek Salon in Montana City. Normally she would close the premises, which was a private casino with integrated bar and restaurant, and arrive home shortly after. The young mother however never arrived home. The private casino belong to the victim’s brother.

The next morning the victim’s family was worried and they drove to the casino. When they arrived, the relatives discovered, that the entrance door was open and the amusement machines in the shop had been broken. The money from the machines was also missing. However there was no sign of the 34-year-old victim.

Several hours later, Donna Meagher was then found dead in a nearby ditch. The corpse was chained and there were several injuries on the body. For a period of several months, there were no considerable results from the investigation which could be announced. However then Paul Jenkins (66) and Joe Lawrence (58) attracted the attention of the investigators.

Lifelong prison sentence without any prospect of release - although they were innocent

The father of Lawrence’s partner had given the police a tip at that time. Apparently he was especially interested in the reward, which was offered for arresting the murderer. However now it becomes bizarre: The court based the judgement on the statement of a mentally impaired witness, whose IQ measures around 50. This witness had stated that he had allegedly seen Lawrence’s car in front of the casino at the time of murder.

Even the other suspect, Paul Jenkins was accused by a family member. The “problem” here: Jenkins’ wife, who had accused him, suffered from dementia. There was no further material evidence. However 23 years ago, the US-court sentenced both men to a lifelong prison sentence without any prospect of release. 

New DNA-Technique discharges both men

In 2015, thanks to modern DNA technique, it was possible to analyse available DNA-Traces from the case of that time. The cord, with which the victim was apparently tied, was examined. From the analysis it resulted, that there were no DNA-traces of Jenkins or Lawrence. For this reason, both men were released from prison after more than 23 years. They were also compensated during proceedings.

Six million US-Dollar each for 23 years innocent in prison

The two men received six million US-Dollar each as compensation for the many years, which they spent innocently in prison. The money will be paid by insurances of the US Federal State Montana. One questions, if the money can be an effective consolation for the lost lifetime in prison. Meanwhile the men are 58 and 66 years old respectively and they have spent the large part of their life in prison. Since April 2018 both former suspects are allowed to enjoy their freedom again.

There is however another positive news: The analysis of the DNA-traces of the coil lead the investigators to another suspect. This is the 58-year-old David Wayne Nelson, who in 2015 was previously sentenced for a double murder in Montana. This solved the gruesome casino murder of Donna Meagher, more than two decades after the crime.

Conclusion

The case of the casino-murder from 1995 shows clearly, that there are apparently people, who sit for more than two decades innocently in prison. And this, although the evidence was shaky from earlier on. Besides a wife suffering from dementia, there was an intelligence-deficient witness (IQ: around 50). Both of accused the innocent men. After more than 23 years in prison, six million Euro each as compensation seems not to be “fair”. Finally one cannot buy his lost lifetime back with the millions. 

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