In 1995, Jabbar Collins saw his world crumble when he was convicted for a murder he not only didn’t commit but was conspired into prosecution by a crooked lawyer.
Today, Collins can’t get back the years he missed but the state of New York is compensating him for their obstruction of justices.
He just reached a settlement worth $3 million.
Reports NYDailyNews:
Jabbar Collins’ settlement was approved Thursday by Judge Faviola Soto in the state Court of Claims in lower Manhattan.
Outside court, Collins said the settlement was bittersweet because his mother passed away last July. “I would love for her to be here because she knew this day was coming,” Collins said.
“I wanted what every son wants to see their mom have, to live the rest of her days in peace. She was there for me for 16 years.”
Three million dollars is a lot of money, but it is a small fraction of what Jabbar Collins is entitled to for 15 horrendous years in maximum security state prison,” said lawyer Joel Rudin.
Collins was convicted in 1995 of murdering Rabbi Abraham Pollack during a robbery in Williamsburg. With Collins diligently working on his appeals from prison, the conviction unraveled when it was discovered that then-prosecutor Michael Vecchione had allegedly coerced witnesses into falsely testifying and withheld important evidence from the defense at Collins’ trial.
Collins now has a grandchild of his own and plans to attend Bible college to spread the ministry that helped him get through his prison sentence.
Do you agree with Rudin that his settlement as relatively skimpy? Overturned convictions are becoming more prominent in the news. Let us know your thoughts on the situation in the comments below.
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Photo: WSJ Screen Shot
