Letter: This wrongful prosecution may cost taxpayers $20 million

Prosecutors, police must
fund a malpractice pool

Re: “‘We would not give up’: Man exonerated after 17 years in prison for 2002 San Jose shooting” (Mercurynews.com, May 15):

Prosecutors and police need to pay into a malpractice pool.

Every day, around the country, police shootings and wrongful prosecutions turn up. We, the taxpayers, bear the cost.

Police departments and DA’s in each state should pay into an insurance pool just for these contingencies.

This case detailed in this article will likely cost taxpayers $20 million or more, when you factor in his family going bankrupt trying to defend this wrongful case. Add all the other settlements that cities across our state and the rest of the country are liable for.

Maybe each governor should set up an insurance pool, just for these types of life and death mistakes. How many “60 Minutes” episodes have there been dealing with stories just like this?

James U. Hall
Monte Sereno

Submit your letter to the editor via this form
Read more Letters to the Editor