Federal jury rules Philly Police fabricated a rape case against a man shot in the back by an officer.

A federal jury has awarded million to Termaine Hicks, a Philadelphia man whose wrongful conviction for rape was overturned five years ago. This landmark decision reflects the jury’s support for Hicks’ claim that police framed him for the crime subsequent to mistakenly shooting him while he was trying to assist a woman in distress.

Hicks was wrongfully convicted of rape after an incident that occurred in South Philadelphia in 2001. He has consistently maintained his innocence, asserting that he attempted to help a woman who was screaming for assistance in the early hours of that morning. Upon the arrival of police, he contends that officers misidentified him as the perpetrator, subsequently shot him, and then fabricated evidence to justify their actions.

After serving 19 years in prison, Hicks was exonerated in 2020 when the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office acknowledged that his conviction was based on “factual inaccuracies, discrepancies, and inconsistencies.” Prosecutors were instrumental in persuading a judge to vacate his conviction, which led to his release.

During the recent three-week civil trial, Hicks and his legal team presented evidence suggesting a pattern of police misconduct, claiming that officers had engaged in a series of lies to cover up their errors. They argued that the officers fabricated evidence, including allegations that they witnessed Hicks commit the rape and subsequently planted a firearm on him.

In stark contrast, attorneys representing the five officers involved contended that Hicks was indeed guilty and alleged that he had been unjustly freed. They asserted that the notion of a police cover-up was far-fetched and more suited to a dramatized storyline than courtroom reality.

Despite the defense’s arguments, the jury sided decisively with Hicks. Before concluding the deliberations, jurors were polled on whether they believed Hicks had committed the rape, and the verdict was a unanimous “no.”

This verdict emerges in a broader context where wrongful conviction cases have prompted significant financial settlements in Philadelphia. Following a notable million award to another wrongfully convicted man last year, Hicks’ case adds to a growing tally of police misconduct lawsuits that have cost the city tens of millions of dollars.

Four of the officers involved in this incident testified during the trial, maintaining that their actions were justified according to the evidence present at the time. Currently, only one of the officers remains with the Philadelphia Police Department, while the other four have since departed from the force.

Following the jury’s verdict, Hicks expressed a sense of vindication, remarking on the closure that this ruling provides after a lengthy struggle for justice. He has since focused on rebuilding his life, including mentoring young individuals and reconnecting with his family.

The jury’s findings signal significant implications for police accountability and the ongoing discourse regarding wrongful convictions in the American judicial system. The Philadelphia Police Department has indicated that it is reviewing its options in light of the trial’s outcome. As these legal battles continue to unfold, they highlight the critical need for systemic change to prevent such injustices from occurring in the future.

The incident that led to Hicks’ dramatic ordeal began on November 27, 2001, when a woman was attacked in an alley. Hicks, who heard the commotion, intervened. Moments later, he was shot by police officers before being wrongfully linked to the assault.

As Hicks looks ahead, he remains focused on using his experience to effect positive change, reflecting on the life lost during his wrongful imprisonment, and the journey ahead to reclaim his narrative.