Ex-officers who owe $7M to Broward man exonerated by DNA sue their lawyers for negligence
Two former Miramar police officers — who owe more than $7 million to a mentally challenged Broward man exonerated of rape and murder by DNA — have filed a negligence lawsuit seeking damages against the lawyer and law firm that unsuccessfully represented them in trial.
If the retired officers win a money judgment against the lawyers who represented them in the civil rights trial, they would use the cash to help pay what they owe to the exonerated man, Anthony Caravella, their current lawyer said.
The unusual negligence lawsuit was officially filed Tuesday against Miramar City Attorney Jamie Cole and his private law firm, Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman, in Broward Circuit Court.
Retired officers George Pierson and William Mantesta are seeking about $8.5 million to cover what they owe, their lawyer Charles Morehead told the Sun Sentinel. That includes the $7 million verdict against them personally, plus Caravella's legal fees and costs, and mandated interest that continues to mount on the judgment.
Read more: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-anthony-caravella-police-lawsuit-20160712-story.html
