Number
212038
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
THE CHAIR
Title
Substitute resolution approving contract for legal services between the City of Milwaukee and Nathan & Kamionski LLP to advise and provide counsel to the City of Milwaukee in relation to the lawsuit entitled “Hadaway v. City of Milwaukee, et. al,” Case No. 2:19-CV-01106, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Analysis
This resolution approves and authorizes City entry into a contract for legal services with the law firm of Nathan & Kamionski LLP, to advise and provide counsel to the City of Milwaukee in relation to the lawsuit entitled “Hadaway v. City of Milwaukee, et. al,” Case No. 2:19-CV-01106, (Eastern District of Wisconsin)
Body
Whereas, Section 304-23 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances allows the Common Council to authorize retention of a law firm outside of the City Attorney’s permanent staff, pursuant to a written agreement; and
Whereas, In 1996, Samuel Hadaway was arrested and interrogated regarding the homicide of a 16-year-old girl. During the interrogation, Mr. Hadaway implicated himself and another man, Chanute Ott, in the murder. Mr. Hadaway was offered a plea deal of five years in prison for attempted robbery if he testified that Mr. Ott was responsible for the murder. Based on Mr. Hadaway’s testimony, Mr. Ott was convicted of the murder and sentenced to life in prison. Mr. Hadaway pled guilty to armed robbery and was sentenced to five years in prison as promised; and
Whereas, In 2007, Mr. Hadaway’s co-defendant, Mr. Ott, petitioned the court to have his conviction vacated based on evidence that the murdered 16-year-old was likely the victim of a serial killer. Mr. Ott’s conviction was overturned and the State of Wisconsin declared that he was wrongly convicted of the homicide. Thereafter, Mr. Ott filed a civil rights lawsuit against the City of Milwaukee and the same defendant officers being sued by Mr. Hadaway. That case was...
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