Man Wrongfully Convicted to Be Paid Close to $8 Million by Long Beach

August 13, 2010-According to reports the City of Long Beach agreed to settle a lawsuit Wednesday for close to $8 million. The lawsuit was filed by a man that was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent 24 years in prison.

The man identified as Thomas L. Goldstein was convicted in 1979 of the shotgun murder of John McGinest in Long Beach. The testimony that was a large part of Goldstein being convicted was by a jailhouse informant.

Jailhouse informant Edward Fink testified Goldstein had confessed to the murder, while the two men were in jail.

Finks credibility and failure by prosecutors to inform Goldstein’s attorney they had made a deal to go easy on Fink caused a judge to overturn the conviction. Goldstein a Marine veteran was released from prison in 2004.

Goldstein sued the Los Angeles prosecutors that were involved with the cases and the suit argued officials used jailhouse informants regularly without taking steps to ensure they were telling the truth. Goldstein’s attorney Barry Litt stated this civil case settlement was important, in holding authorities responsible for failing to provide information that could have helped his client’s defense. Litt said the information they withheld could have led to an acquittal, instead of him being convicted and their conduct led to Goldstein spending 24 years in some of the worst prisons.

According to principle deputy city attorney Monte Machit for Long Beach stated the settlement does not mean the city authorities admit that Goldstein was wrongfully arrested or that his constitutional rights were violated.

If you suffered a similar injury and need a Long Beach personal injury lawyer, contact:

Ehline Law
6700 East Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 275
Long Beach, CA
(562) 342-9092‎