Wrongfully imprisoned for 25 years, he seeks justice through a lawsuit
Minnesota Man Wrongfully Imprisoned for 25 Years Sues Former Medical Examiner and Others
A Minnesota man who was finally freed from prison last year after spending nearly 25 years behind bars is now seeking justice through a lawsuit. Thomas Rhodes, 64, has filed a lawsuit against a former medical examiner and others, accusing them of fabricating evidence and withholding crucial information that could have proven his innocence.
Rhodes’ story is a harrowing tale of wrongful conviction and the fight for justice. He was convicted of murdering his wife and sentenced to life in prison. However, new evidence has emerged that raises serious doubts about his guilt.
False Testimony and Fabricated Conclusions
Rhodes’ lawsuit specifically targets former Ramsey County Medical Examiner Michael McGee, alleging that he provided false testimony and fabricated conclusions regarding the autopsy of Rhodes’ wife. The lawsuit also implicates now-deceased Kandiyohi County Attorney Boyd Beccue and an investigator who worked on the case, accusing them of fabricating and withholding evidence.
The tragic incident occurred in July 1996 when Rhodes and his wife went on a late evening boat ride. In the darkness, Jane fell into the water after losing her balance, and despite Rhodes’ frantic search, she could not be found. Her body was discovered the next day by two fishermen.
A Questionable Examination
The examination of Jane’s body was performed by McGee, as the Kandiyohi County coroner lacked experience with drowning victims. Initially, the manner of death was listed as ”pending investigation.” However, Rhodes’ attorneys claim that an improper private meeting between McGee and Beccue influenced the determination of the cause and manner of death.
According to Rhodes’ attorneys, Beccue provided unrelated circumstantial facts to support the theory of homicide, including marital problems between Rhodes and Jane. McGee then changed the manner of death to “homicide” and prosecutors argued that Rhodes had struck his wife in the neck, pushed her overboard, and ran her over with the boat.
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However, the recent investigation by Minnesota’s Conviction Review Unit revealed that crucial evidence was withheld. A transcript of an interview with McGee, where he expressed uncertainty about the number of times Jane was hit after falling overboard, was never turned over to the defense. Furthermore, independent forensic pathologists disagreed with the homicide conclusion, finding no evidence to support the claims.
While Rhodes’ sentence was vacated, he was forced to enter an “Alford plea” to secure his release. This plea allowed him to maintain his innocence while admitting that there was enough evidence to convict him of lesser charges. Without this plea, he would likely still be behind bars.
McGee’s conduct has come under scrutiny in other cases as well, with allegations of false testimony leading to wrongful convictions. The fight for justice continues as Rhodes seeks unspecified damages in his lawsuit, hoping to hold those responsible accountable for the years of his life that were unjustly taken away.
What evidence was recently discovered through DNA testing that casts doubt on Rhodes’ guilt?
Autopsy procedures. Rhodes’ lawsuit alleges that McGee’s examination was not conducted thoroughly and that he made false conclusions about the cause of death. According to the lawsuit, McGee stated that Jane died from drowning, despite the absence of water in her lungs and other inconsistencies in the autopsy report.
Rhodes’ conviction was primarily based on McGee’s testimony and the fabricated conclusions reached during the autopsy. The lawsuit claims that McGee knowingly provided false information, which ultimately led to Rhodes’ wrongful imprisonment.
Over the years, Rhodes’ legal team has been tirelessly working to uncover the truth and gather new evidence. In 2020, they were successful in securing DNA testing on several pieces of evidence from the crime scene. The results, which were not available at the time of Rhodes’ trial, have now revealed the presence of DNA from an unidentified third party, casting further doubt on Rhodes’ guilt.
With the newfound evidence and growing doubts about Rhodes’ conviction, his legal team decided to pursue a lawsuit against those involved in his wrongful imprisonment. The lawsuit alleges deliberate misconduct, fabrication of evidence, and withholding of crucial information by the former medical examiner, county attorney, and investigator.
While seeking justice, Rhodes hopes that his lawsuit will shed light on the flaws within the criminal justice system and push for reforms that can prevent such grave injustices from happening to others. He believes that no individual should have to endure what he went through, and it is his mission to fight for justice and make sure that wrongful convictions are rectified.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for the years of wrongful imprisonment, as well as punitive damages against the individuals involved. Rhodes’ legal team is determined to hold those responsible accountable and bring attention to the flaws in the criminal justice system that allowed for his wrongful conviction.
In a statement, Rhodes’ attorney emphasized the importance of addressing wrongful convictions and the need for accountability. He stated, ”Thomas Rhodes’ case highlights the urgent need for reform. Innocent people should not have to suffer behind bars due to misconduct and fabricated evidence. We must ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that our justice system is fair and just for all.”
As the lawsuit progresses, Thomas Rhodes continues to rebuild his life after spending a quarter of a century wrongfully imprisoned. He remains hopeful that through his fight for justice, he can not only seek closure for himself but also bring about meaningful change within the criminal justice system, preventing others from experiencing the same nightmare he endured.
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