After a decades-long fight for justice, Kirstin Blaise Lobato was awarded $34 million by a U.S. District Court jury in a lawsuit against the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD).

A Tragic Miscarriage of Justice

Lobato was just 18 years old when she was arrested and wrongfully convicted for the 2001 murder of Duran Bailey. Despite maintaining her innocence, she was sentenced in 2006 to serve 13 to 35 years in prison.

After years of appeals and mounting evidence supporting her claims of wrongful conviction, the Nevada Supreme Court ordered her release in 2017, citing insufficient evidence. Lobato was officially released in 2018, after spending 13 years behind bars.

The Road to Accountability

Lobato filed a civil rights lawsuit against LVMPD, alleging misconduct by the officers involved in her case. On Thursday, December 12, 2024, the jury unanimously decided in her favor, awarding $34 million in damages.

As part of the judgment, punitive damages of $10,000 each are to be paid personally by Detectives Thomas Thowsen and Jamie LaRochelle, who were involved in the original investigation.

A Landmark Decision

This verdict highlights the profound consequences of wrongful convictions, not only for those directly affected but also for the integrity of the justice system. Lobato’s case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of thorough investigations and fair trials.

A Life Rebuilt

Now 41 years old, Lobato has spent more than half her life fighting to clear her name. This legal victory marks the end of her 23-year struggle and provides financial compensation for the years she lost to a system that failed her.

Source: Fox5 Vegas