Man wrongfully convicted of subway stabbing gets $18M from NYC, NY State

Johnny Hincapie stated he had been coerced into falsely confessing to killing of Brian Wattkins.
AP

A person who spent greater than 25 years in jail for a high-profile subway stabbing earlier than his conviction was tossed out will obtain a virtually $18 million settlement from New York Metropolis and State.

Johnny Hincapie, 50, was amongst a bunch of males accused of stabbing Utah vacationer Brian Wattkins, 22, to dying in 1990 on the East 53rd Avenue subway station, however Hincapie stated he had been coerced into falsely confessing to the killing.

Watkins and his mother and father had simply returned to Manhattan from the US Open tennis event when the gang of armed muggers encircled them.

Hincapie recanted his confession, however was nonetheless sentenced to 25-years-to-life in jail and finally served 25 years, three months, and eight days earlier than he was launched when a state decide decided that there was inadequate proof to maintain him behind bars.

Hincapie’s conviction was dismissed in January 2017.

In April 2018, Hincapie sued the town, accusing the police who arrested him of utilizing “unconstitutional ways to declare ‘case closed’ inside twenty-four hours.”

Hincapie recanted his confession, however nonetheless served 25 years, three months, and eight days in jail.

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Underneath the phrases of the settlement, the town can pay Hincapie $12.8 million and the state will shell out $4.8 million.

“This settlement resolves a longstanding civil case involving a horrific crime,” a metropolis legislation division spokesperson stated. “Based mostly on the findings of the DA and our assessment, this settlement is honest and in the very best curiosity of all events.”

Hincapie stated he's excited to maneuver on along with his life though Watkins stays on his thoughts.

Hincapie’s conviction was dismissed in January 2017.

AP

“I've by no means forgotten the loss his household suffered,” he stated. “I'm lucky that my innocence has lastly been acknowledged by my metropolis and my state and I stay up for the subsequent chapter of my life with my household.”

Hincapie now lives in Florida along with his household and two kids, based on his lawyer, Gabriel Harvis.

“He actually is the final sufferer on this case as a result of it took so lengthy for him to lastly have his innocence acknowledged,” Harvis stated.

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