A Douglas County jury awarded Robert Dial $24 million [1] Tuesday after finding a former Parker police detective omitted evidence to justify a wrongful arrest.
The verdict represents the largest civil rights award in Colorado history. It highlights the legal consequences for law enforcement officers who withhold exculpatory evidence during criminal investigations.
Dial, 62 [4], is a resident of New Jersey. The case stems from a 2022 arrest [4] in which Dial was charged as an accessory to murder. The jury determined that a former Parker police detective intentionally omitted evidence that would have prevented the arrest and subsequent malicious prosecution [1, 2].
The total award of $24 million [1] is split between different types of damages. The jury granted $22 million [2] for economic damages, and $2 million [3] for pain and suffering.
"I felt vindicated," Dial said.
The legal proceedings took place in Douglas County, Colorado, where the detective had previously worked for the town of Parker [1, 3]. The jury's decision follows allegations that the detective's actions led to a false arrest by suppressing information that would have cleared Dial of the charges [2].
“"I felt vindicated."”
This record-breaking verdict underscores the severe financial and legal risks associated with 'Brady violations,' where police withhold evidence favorable to the defense. By awarding a historic sum, the jury has set a significant precedent for accountability regarding prosecutorial and investigative misconduct in Colorado.
