Short Circuit
Short Circuit 199 | The Right Not To Be Framed and It’s Greek To Me
Dec 9, 2021
Alexa Gervasi explains a case where qualified immunity was defeated due to an obvious constitutional violation. Ryan Wilson discusses a case involving a Greek boat accident that can move forward in Boston. The podcast explores wrongful convictions, debating the validity of defense arguments, examining misconduct and qualified immunity, and a boating accident lawsuit in Massachusetts.
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Quick takeaways
- Qualified immunity did not protect investigators in a wrongful conviction case, allowing the lawsuit to proceed.
- The first circuit ruled against dismissing a lawsuit based on forum nonconveniens, allowing the plaintiffs to pursue their claims in Massachusetts.
Deep dives
Case Summary: Dennis v. City of Philadelphia
Dennis, who was wrongfully convicted of murder, filed a 1983 lawsuit against the investigators responsible for his conviction. The investigators concealed exculpatory evidence, coerced testimony, and fabricated evidence. They invoked qualified immunity (QI) and the heck bar to challenge the lawsuit. However, the third circuit ruled that the lawsuit could proceed, stating that the officers' actions violated due process rights. The court held that the violation was clearly established, even without a specific case on point. The decision allows Dennis to continue his claims and seek relief from the courts.
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