Exonerated Man Pursues Legal Action Against Putnam, Carmel

PUTNAM COUNTY, N.Y. -- Officials in Putnam County and the town of Carmel say they've been notified of official complaints against them from a man who served eight years in prison before his acquittal on charges that he started a 2007 fire at Smalley's Inn in Carmel, according to a report in The Putnam Examiner.

A man released from prison after serving eight years on arson charges for a 2007 fire in Carmel has put county and local leaders on notice that he plan to file a federal lawsuit, The Examiner News says.
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Amy Maciaszek

08/18/2016 1:00 p.m.

William Haughey plans to file a federal lawsuit against the state, Putnam County and the town of Carmel after his wrongful conviction was found to be based on faulty evidence. His initial notice of complaint specifically blames the county and Carmel for poor hiring practices and supervision that led to a violation of his rights, The Examiner says.

Haughey's attorney said his exoneration throws into question the initial finding of arson and points to poor investigating on the part of authorities. The owner of Smalley's Inn contended that Haughey started the fire in the bathroom after the two men had an argument, The Examiner reports.

Click here to read The Examiner article.

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