19th October


IDAHO:

Former death row inmate suing for wrongful imprisonment


A man who spent over two decades in prison on a murder conviction that
was
overturned is now suing the people who put him behind bars.

Former death row inmate Donald Paradis has filed a $5 million lawsuit
against the former prosecutor for Kootenai County.

Donald Paradis has a filed a civil suit against the former Kootenai
County
prosecutor and others.

A federal judge ruled that the $5 million lawsuit can move forward.

Paradis' conviction in the murder of Kimberly Ann Palmer was thrown out
in
2000 after old prosecutor notes were found.

A judge later ruled those notes were wrongly withheld and would have
helped Paradis prove his defense.

"If we can succeed, it will send a very clear message that puts a check
on
the abuse of authority by prosecutors and those in law enforcement,"
said
Paradis attorney Bill Mauk.

Coming up tonight on News at Ten you will hear more on why the court
decision moving the case forward is significant, and Dee Sarton has an
exclusive interview with Donald Paradis about what he calls his
continued
quest for justice.

(source: KTVB News)