Darrell Houston v. State of Ohio, Case No. 2012-08516 WI

A partial judgment of nearly $380,000 to a Cleveland man wrongfully imprisoned for 16 years will be on the January 28 State Controlling Board agenda. The Court of Claims of Ohio awarded Darrell Houston a preliminary judgment on January 10 and ordered the Controlling Board payment.

As described in a November 30, 2012 complaint for compensation for wrongful imprisonment filed with the Court of Claims, Houston was convicted by a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court jury on January 27, 1992 of one count of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated robbery with firearm specifications.

The Cuyahoga County court granted his motion on November 13, 2007 for a new trial based on newly discovered evidenced and vacated all his convictions. Subsequently, the court declared Houston wrongfully imprisoned on February 12, 2012.

Mark H. Reed, clerk of the Court of Claims, said this is the first wrongful imprisonment case to be processed for half the mandated judgment total within 60 days of the individual’s release from prison since the state statute was amended in the 128th General Assembly. Houston will receive the balance of his restitution in one of two ways: if the parties reach a settlement and the Court of Claims approves, or if it goes to trial and the court renders judgment.

The Court of Claims is given original jurisdiction to hear and determine all civil actions filed against the State of Ohio and its agencies.

To access information on other cases visit the Court of Claims website.

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