NEW MILFORD, Conn. — A federal court has ordered a significant monetary award to a man who spent decades behind bars for a murder he did not commit. On Wednesday, Ralph “Ricky” Birch, who was wrongfully convicted in 1989, was awarded $5.7 million by a jury for the injustice he suffered.
The U.S. District Court ruled in favor of Birch, marking a significant turn in a legal battle against the town of New Milford, which began when he filed his lawsuit in 2020. Birch, alongside co-defendant Shawn Henning, had been convicted in the 1985 murder of Everett Carr, found brutally stabbed and beaten in his home. Decades later, their convictions were overturned shedding light on their wrongful imprisonment.
This judgment follows a settlement with Henning, who agreed to a $2.5 million settlement with New Milford, and a collective settlement of $25.2 million from the state of Connecticut, confirmed by the legislature in 2024, acknowledging their wrongful convictions.
Mayor Pete Bass of New Milford informed residents of the recent jury verdict via a Facebook post and noted plans to consult with town attorneys and discuss potential financial implications during the upcoming Town Council meeting on March 24.
Key details revealed in the lawsuit highlighted Birch and Henning’s lack of sophistication and supposed capability to execute such a meticulously clean crime. Forensic evidence from the crime scene, including fingerprints, DNA, and bloody footprints, failed to connect them to the crime, further supporting the arguments for their innocence. The presence of DNA from an unidentified individual mixed with the victim’s blood on various items at the crime scene played a pivotal role in contesting the validity of their initial convictions.
Moreover, Birch’s legal team emphasized his resilience and lack of bitterness despite the profound mental distress and hardships endured during his time in prison, which included violence and narrowly escaping a stabbing.
Birch’s attorney, Damon A. R. Kirschbaum, was not available for comments on Thursday. On the other hand, attorney Elliot B Spector, representing New Milford, stated that the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the convictions was distinct from the civil liability issues resolved in this case, noting satisfaction with the court finding no civil rights violations and concluding favorably for former police detective Steve Jordan regarding the negligence claim.
This case has not only highlighted significant judicial oversights but also underscored ongoing discussions around forensic science’s role in legal outcomes, potentially influencing future legal protocols and the handling of wrongful conviction claims.
Today, as Birch attempts to rebuild his life, he seeks not only compensation but also justice for the decades lost due to a wrongful conviction dating back to a cold 1985 winter night, a demand deeply rooted in his long, arduous journey for truth and restitution.
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