Teen Acquitted Of Murder Sues NYPD For Witholding Evidence

Larry Bodden, 19, spent nearly three years in prison before being acquitted of murder, and he's blaming the NYPD. Bodden claims the police withheld key evidence that would have exonerated him, including videos of confessions and several witnesses testifying to his alibi. "I basically grew up in jail. They should answer for what they did," he told the Daily News.

Police say Bodden was part of a group of teens who stomped bus driver Fernando Maldonad to death in 2007, but Bodden says he was at home taking care of his brother. Several witnesses gave the same testimony and two of the accused teens exonerated Bodden in their video confessions, but Bodden said police hid the existence of at least one of the tapes from his lawyers. Lawyer Kyle Watters said, "They were willing to do whatever it took to bury this kid." Bodden was acquitted last February, but said, "I'll never get back the time they took away."

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By Jaya Saxena in News on February 21, 2011 3:34 PM

Comments [rss]

Bernie_Geotz_Squirrel_Luv

What borough is this in? I hope they're also suing the District Attorneys office.
didn't a commenter said on another post innocent till proven guilty should also apply to cops?
Oh yeah, that rape cop story.

TimeDown

Unfortunately, suing the District Attorney's office will do absolutely nothing. They have full immunity for their actions taken within the scope of their employment, no matter how terrible. If people want these incidents to stop we need to start calling for prosecutorial immunity to be stripped.

cmdrogogov

so then the DA will stop going after anyone capable of fighting back?

Granted NYPD are worthless as a policing force as they refuse to work within the community. The other side of that is that the community refuses to work with them.

NYPD needs to clean up its act - then it needs to start reaching out and letting the public know that they work for us, not as a boot to stamp on us.

TimeDown

So you think the DA's office should have full immunity? They won't stop prosecuting crimes based on if the person is "capable of fighting back" because anyone is capable of fighting back with a lawsuit. This case proves it. I doubt that this teen is part of the rich and powerful elite. If a DA's office intentionally violates the law or the constitution they should be held accountable, just like everyone else can and should be.

TimeDown

Another scandal for cops and prosecutors. With all these examples, why do people still assume that anyone charged with a crime is guilty? How many times does this have to happen before something changes?