November 25, 2009

The City of New York has agreed to pay $340,000 to an autistic man who spent a year in jail after confessing to a killing he didn't commit.

Ozem Goldwire, of Brooklyn, was jailed on charges that he
murdered his sister in 2006. His lawyers said police pressured him
into a false confession.

Prosecutors ultimately decided that Goldwire was innocent and
let him go. The killing is still unsolved.

Goldwire's lawyers say he had maintained his innocence over 21
hours of intense interrogation. They said he finally signed a
confession after detectives told him it was the only way they would
let him leave.

The city's legal department called the situation was
"unfortunate," but said police acted appropriately.

A federal judge approved the settlement Tuesday.