Former inmate to receive $900,000
Posted: Tuesday, Aug 15, 2006 - 10:59:11 pm PDT
By MARC STEWART

Donald Paradis spent two decades in prison for 1981 death of Kimberly Palmer

Staff writer

COEUR d'ALENE -- A former death row inmate will receive nearly a million dollars for his claim of wrongful imprisonment.

Kootenai County's insurance provider and attorneys for Donald Paradis have agreed on a $900,000 settlement for a 2003 federal civil rights lawsuit that alleged former Kootenai County prosecutors withheld evidence during Paradis' 1981 murder trial.


"We believe this settlement amount to be not only reasonable and appropriate, but in the best interests of Kootenai County," said Erika Grubbs, general counsel for the county.

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Under the agreed settlement, half of that will go to Donald Paradis' attorneys. So that leaves $450,000 for Paradis himself. After doing some quick calculations, it works out to $61 a day over the 20 years he spent in jail. Perhaps this is my opinion; however I feel that a single day is worth more than $61. Especially when one begins to think of all the cherished memories, moments and just living and enjoying freedom he missed out on. Don't get me wrong, I am beyond pleased he was exonerated, but I feel somewhat bitter when a sum of money is attached to the value of someone's life.

- Ben.

I personally believe that no amount of money can make up for him being on Death Row for any amount of time.

Ness

At the rate of $61/day, that assumes that this exonerated man would have only earned $7.26/hr and NEVER gotten a single raise in 20+ years! No, I don't think he was adequately compensated based on solely considering his wage-earning capabilities and opportunities alone. But I am glad he was exonerated and I am glad he got something for his wrongful incarceration all those years!

How about if they deduct it from the salaries of the prosecutor(s) and judge(s) who sent him to Death Row in the first place?

LOL Dave

I wasn't kidding....

I know his attorney has to make a living, but half, I find that to be harsh.