Jeff Titus Receives $5.25 Million Settlement After Wrongful Conviction
Jeff Titus has reportedly received a $5.25 million settlement after spending more than 20 years in prison for murders he maintained he did not commit.
Titus was convicted in 2002 for the 1990 killings of Doug Estes and Jim Bennett, two hunters who were shot in Kalamazoo County. He was sentenced to life in prison.
The case later drew scrutiny after evidence involving another possible suspect, Ohio serial killer Thomas Dillon, became central to post-conviction review. The Michigan Innocence Clinic and the Michigan Attorney General's Conviction Integrity Unit later worked on the case.
In 2023, Titus's convictions were vacated and the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office dismissed the charges. Titus was also awarded compensation under Michigan's wrongful imprisonment compensation law.
Civil Rights Lawsuit
Titus later filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against former cold-case detectives Michael Werkema and Michael Brown. The lawsuit alleged that evidence was not properly disclosed during the investigation.
A federal court opinion in 2025 narrowed the case. The court dismissed some claims but allowed a claim involving an alleged undisclosed witness statement to proceed against Werkema. Brown died during the litigation, and claims against his estate were dismissed.
The settlement does not undo the years Titus spent in prison, but it represents another major development in one of Michigan's most closely watched wrongful conviction cases.
Wrongful Conviction Claims in Michigan
Wrongful conviction cases can involve several legal issues, including withheld evidence, unreliable witness testimony, investigative errors, and federal civil rights claims.
Michigan also has a wrongful imprisonment compensation law that may allow eligible exonerees to seek compensation from the state. Separate civil rights lawsuits may seek additional damages depending on the facts of the case.
Get Help from Michigan Legal Center
Michigan Legal Center handles serious personal injury, civil rights, and wrongful conviction-related matters throughout Michigan.
Call (248) 886-8650 or contact Michigan Legal Center for a consultation.
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