Las Vegas Police Found Guilty: Woman Awarded $34M by Jury
LAS VEGAS (AP) — In a groundbreaking verdict, a federal jury in Nevada has awarded over $34 million to Kristin Lobato, a woman who was arrested at just 18 years old, wrongly convicted twice, and spent nearly 16 years in a Nevada state prison for a 2001 killing she did not commit.
The Emotional Rollercoaster of Injustice
Kristin Lobato, now 41, was overwhelmed with emotions as she hugged her attorneys after a judge in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas read the trial verdict. Tears streamed down her face as the weight of the moment sank in. “It’s been an uphill battle with many, many obstacles,” she shared with reporters. “And I’m happy that it’s all finally finished.” Despite the monumental award, Lobato expressed uncertainty about the future, stating, “I have no idea what the rest of my life is going to look like.”
The Long Road to Justice
The civil trial jury found that Las Vegas police, along with two detectives, Thomas Thowsen and James LaRochelle, who are now retired, had fabricated evidence during their investigation and intentionally caused emotional distress to Lobato. As a result, the panel determined that Lobato should receive $34 million in compensatory damages from the department and $10,000 in punitive damages from each former detective. While the detectives and their attorney, Craig Anderson, chose not to comment immediately following the verdict, Anderson indicated that an appeal was likely.
A Twisted Legal Battle
Lobato’s ordeal began at the age of 18 when she was arrested and charged with the murder of Duran Bailey in Las Vegas in July 2001. Despite no physical evidence or witness linking her to the crime, she was convicted of murder in 2002. However, the Nevada Supreme Court overturned the verdict and her sentence in 2004 due to legal errors. She was retried in 2006, found guilty of manslaughter, mutilation, and weapon charges, and sentenced to 13 to 45 years in prison.
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
After years of legal battles and advocacy from organizations like the Innocence Project, Lobato was finally exonerated and released from prison in late 2017. Evidence presented to the state Supreme Court proved that Lobato was in her hometown of Panaca, Nevada, at the time of Bailey’s murder, miles away from the crime scene in Las Vegas. Last October, a state court judge officially declared Lobato innocent of Bailey’s killing, marking the end of a long and painful chapter in her life.
Moving Forward
The case of Kristin Lobato serves as a stark reminder of the flaws in the justice system and the importance of advocacy for those wrongfully accused. As Lobato navigates the complexities of her newfound freedom and the weight of a $34 million settlement, her story stands as a testament to resilience and the enduring fight for justice in the face of adversity.
In a world where the truth can be obscured and justice delayed, Lobato’s journey sheds light on the power of perseverance and the unwavering pursuit of truth and fairness in the legal system. As she looks ahead to the uncertain future, one thing remains clear: her story is not just one of injustice but also of hope, strength, and the enduring quest for redemption in the face of unimaginable hardship.
