New Haven has agreed to pay Vernon Horn and Marquis Jackson $15.25 million each to settle federal civil-rights lawsuits stemming from their wrongful convictions in a 1999 murder. Both men were convicted and sentenced to 70 years before charges were dropped in 2018; Horn served 17 years and Jackson 19. The payouts—reported to be the largest wrongful-conviction settlements in Connecticut—require Board of Alders approval and will be partially covered by insurance, with bonds to cover the uninsured portion.
New Haven to Pay $15.25M Each to Two Men Wrongfully Imprisoned for 1999 Murder
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New Haven has reached agreements to pay Vernon Horn and Marquis Jackson $15.25 million each to resolve federal civil-rights lawsuits arising from their wrongful convictions in a 1999 Dixwell Deli killing. The settlements, which lawyers say are the largest wrongful-conviction payouts in Connecticut history, must still be approved by the New Haven Board of Alders.
Case Background
On January 24, 1999, three masked individuals entered the Dixwell Deli in New Haven and fatally shot 22-year-old Caprice Hardy during a robbery. Horn and Jackson were later convicted in connection with the robbery and murder and each received a 70-year prison sentence. Nearly two decades later, prosecutors dropped the charges against both men in 2018, and they were released from prison.
Settlement Details
The city announced it has agreed to pay $15.25 million apiece. After insurance contributions, the city will pay about $12.75 million for each settlement and also will cover legal fees. If the Board of Alders approves the agreements in a vote expected in September, the city plans to issue bonds to cover the uninsured portion.
Impact on the Men and the Community
No amount of money can replace the years Horn and Jackson lost behind bars. Horn served 17 years and Jackson served 19; both missed weddings, funerals, birthdays and other family milestones. Horn has spoken through his attorneys about family members he lost and irreplaceable moments missed with his daughter, and he emphasized that he continued to fight to clear his name.
"I lost family while I was locked up and missed moments with my daughter," Horn said through his lawyers, noting he kept fighting even when it felt like no one was listening.
Official Response
Mayor Justin Elicker, who was not in office at the time of the original case, issued an apology on behalf of the city, saying no one should be imprisoned for an offense they did not commit and that the city must acknowledge where the justice system failed. The law firm representing Horn described the settlements as the largest wrongful-conviction payouts in Connecticut history.
The proposed settlements resolve two combined civil actions filed by Horn and Jackson after their releases and bring a legal saga that has stretched across roughly 25 years closer to a final resolution. The Board of Alders is expected to review and vote on the agreements next month.
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