Whitlock v. Brueggemann, No. 11-1059 (7th Cir. 2012)
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In 1986 two victims were found murdered in their home. They had been stabbed numerous times and their home had been set afire. Whitlock and Steidl were convicted in 1987. They spent the next 21 and 17 years in prison, respectively, before each obtained reversal on the basis of numerous Brady violations. Whitlock and Steidl brought suit against state officials for violations of their constitutional rights. The Seventh Circuit affirmed denial of a motion to dismiss some of the defendants. Following discovery the district court denied defendants' motions for summary judgment and set a trial date. The Seventh Circuit affirmed, rejecting an interlocutory appeal. The prosecutor is not protected by immunity from liability for alleged fabrication of evidence; presentation of perjured testimony violates a clearly established right. The state police defendants were not entitled to summary judgment on a claim that they took affirmative steps to quash an investigation to further conceal the evidence. The court rejected claims of sovereign immunity.
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