Hunter
10/01/22
A former Iowa City Schools counselor who was wrongfully imprisoned on false charges that he sexually abused a student has won millions in a suit against the state of Iowa.
The Press Citizen reports that a jury awarded Donald Clark $8 million in past emotional distress damages and $4 million for future damages after he spent six years in prison. The court found in 2016 that Clark’s public defender, John Robertson, was ineffective and declared Clark not only not guilty, but also “actually innocent.” His conviction was vacated.
In Thursday’s award, the jury stated that Robertson failed to adequately investigate the prosecution’s case, and his substandard performance at Clark’s trial led to his conviction and wrongful imprisonment.
Clark was a counselor at Lemme Elementary School and was arrested in 2009 on charges that he sexually abused a fifth grader there during the 2003-2004 school year.
One of Clark’s lawyers told the newspaper that Clark was joyous at the verdict and said that he can now continue to rebuild his life. Mel Orchard III added that he doesn’t know if the state will appeal, but if they did, it would be a, quote, “sad continuation of a sad ordeal.”
