Wrongful conviction lawsuit likely heading to court

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – A federal lawsuit filed against the city of Tulsa by a man who was freed after spending 16 years in prison likely will head to trial after both sides failed to reach a settlement.

City attorney Gerry Bender tells the Tulsa World that the parties couldn’t come to an agreement Tuesday, but a settlement still could be reached before the lawsuit goes before a jury.

Sedrick Courtney was convicted of robbing a Tulsa woman in February 1996 and was sentenced to 60 years in prison. He was paroled in 2011 after new DNA evidence ruled out Courtney as one of the woman’s assailants.

Last June, Courtney sued the city, alleging authorities used manufactured evidence to convict him.

The case is scheduled to go to trial next June.