$80 Million Verdict Highlights Decades of wrongful Imprisonment & Police Misconduct in the “Buffalo Five” Case
Buffalo, NY – November 20, 2025 – A federal jury has delivered a landmark $80 million verdict to the estate of Darryl Boyd, a man whose 1976 murder conviction was overturned after nearly 25 years behind bars. The case, stemming from the controversial “Buffalo Five” arrests, exposes a disturbing pattern of alleged misconduct by Buffalo Police and Erie County prosecutors, raising critical questions about due process and the pursuit of justice. This award, one of the largest of its kind in U.S. history for wrongful conviction, underscores the devastating, lifelong consequences of systemic failures within the criminal justice system.
The Case: A Quarter-Century Lost
In 1976, William Crawford was murdered, leading to the arrest of five Black teenagers – collectively known as the “Buffalo Five.” Darryl Boyd was among them. The prosecution’s case rested heavily on witness testimony, but Boyd consistently maintained his innocence. He was convicted and sentenced to prison, spending nearly a quarter-century incarcerated.
The core of Boyd’s lawsuit, filed in 2022, alleged a purposeful and systemic suppression of exculpatory evidence. Attorneys argued that investigators and prosecutors intentionally withheld over a dozen pieces of evidence pointing to alternative suspects. Furthermore, the suit detailed accusations of coerced witness statements – claims that individuals were pressured into providing false testimony against Boyd. The complaint also cited “summation misconduct,” alleging inappropriate and misleading statements made by prosecutors during thier closing arguments.
“This wasn’t simply an error; it was a betrayal of the fundamental principles of justice,” explains legal analyst and former prosecutor, Sarah Chen. “The allegations of suppressed evidence and coerced confessions, if proven, represent a profound violation of the defendant’s constitutional rights.”
years of fighting for Freedom & the Aftermath of Release
Boyd’s fight for freedom continued long after his initial imprisonment. He was released on parole, but remained under supervision for another two decades. in 2021, a judge vacated his conviction, acknowledging the serious flaws in the original case. erie County opted not to retry Boyd or John Walker Jr., whose conviction in the same case was also overturned.
However, freedom didn’t equate to a fresh start. Boyd struggled with the psychological trauma of wrongful imprisonment, diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and debilitating substance abuse issues. the stigma of his conviction made securing employment nearly impractical, further compounding his difficulties. Tragically, Boyd was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and passed away in 2023, before he could witness the outcome of his legal battle.
The Verdict & its Implications
After a two-and-a-half week trial, the jury swiftly reached its decision, awarding Boyd’s estate $80 million. Attorneys representing Boyd’s estate, from the firms WilmerHale, Rupp Melnick & Associates, and Freedland & Kalis, hailed the verdict as a meaningful victory for justice and accountability.
“He lost his whole adult life to this wrongful conviction,” stated Ross Firsenbaum of WilmerHale. “The jury heard just how many years he was suffering in maximum security prison. All the terrible things you assume happen in prison, happened in prison.”
The jury’s decision wasn’t solely about compensating Boyd for his lost years. Firsenbaum emphasized that the legal team successfully demonstrated a “pattern and practice of misconduct” within the Buffalo Police Department and Erie County Prosecutor’s Office during that era – suggesting this wasn’t an isolated incident.
Related Cases & County Response
This verdict follows a $28 million verdict earlier this year awarded to John Walker Jr. against Erie County, which is currently under appeal. Walker and Boyd had previously settled with the City of Buffalo for approximately $4.7 million each.
Darren Gibson, another man convicted in the Crawford murder, was released from prison in 2008 and died a year later. One of the original five, was acquitted at trial, while the fifth teen’s testimony against the others is now believed to have been coerced, according to Boyd’s legal team.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz’s office expressed sympathy for Boyd’s family but characterized the $80 million award as “egregious” and announced plans to appeal. This appeal is likely to focus on the extent of the county’s liability and the appropriateness of the damage amount.
A Call for Systemic Reform
The “Buffalo Five” case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for
