KLLF Client Ralph Birch Settles Wrongful Conviction Claims Against the State of Connecticut for $12.6 Million

On September 19, 2023, the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General and attorneys for exonerees Ralph Birch and Shawn Henning announced a settlement totaling over $25 million to resolve a lawsuit filed by KLLF alleging that misconduct by state officials caused the two men to be wrongfully convicted of a 1985 murder. Birch and Henning each spent 30 years in prison before their convictions were overturned by the Connecticut Supreme Court. Upon approval of the settlement by the Connecticut General Assembly, KLLF client Ralph Birch will receive $12.6 million in compensation. Mr. Birch’s claims against the Town of New Milford and two former Town police investigators remain pending, and are expected to go to trial next year.

The settlement follows a decision issued earlier this summer by federal district judge Victor A. Bolden finding in favor of Mr. Birch and Mr. Henning on certain claims and denying the defendants’ request to throw out the civil case before trial.

Attorneys for the State, Mr. Birch and Mr. Henning released the following joint statement: “We are pleased to have reached an agreement in principle to resolve these matters in the best interest of all parties. We look forward to presenting this settlement to the legislature and reserve further comment until that time.”

KLLF’s David Lebowitz and Doug Lieb represent Mr. Birch, alongside co-counsel Kirschbaum Law Group, LLC.