News Headlines

Va Man Whose Murder Conviction Was Overturned Sues

Posted: 7:24 AM Jan 8, 2013

Va Man Whose Murder Conviction Was Overturned Sues

January 8, 2013

CULPEPER, Virginia (AP)— A man whose capital murder conviction was overturned is suing the Culpeper County sheriff, four other officers, a former prosecutor and an informant.

Media outlets report that Michael Hash of Culpeper alleges the defendants engaged in a concerted effort to convict him even though there wasn't any credible evidence against him.

Hash served 12 years of a life sentence before a federal judge overturned his conviction in February 2012.

U.S. District Judge James Turk cited police and prosecutorial misconduct. In August 2012, Turk approved a special prosecutor's motion to drop the case.

Hash was 15 at the time of the 1996 slaying of 74-year-old Thelma D. Scroggins. He was convicted in 2001.

His federal lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and requests a jury trial.

Story copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.