CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - A man alleging that several former West Virginia county officials forced his guilty plea to a drug charge has settled his lawsuit for $90,000.
The Charleston Gazette-Mail reported on Sunday that Albert Childress Jr. filed a lawsuit including allegations against a former Mingo County judge. Childress’ attorney David Barney says the settlement was reached last week.
The state Risk and Insurance Management board hasn’t yet disclosed specific amounts each party paid.
Childress was jailed roughly eight months after sentencing by former judge Michael Thornsbury.
According to Childress’ lawsuit, corruption at the Mingo courthouse forced his March 2013 guilty plea because he was threatened with more serious charges and knew he’d be convicted despite being innocent.
Thornsbury is in a Florida federal prison after admitting to depriving another county man of his constitutional rights.
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Information from: The Charleston Gazette-Mail, https://wvgazettemail.com.
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