NEW MILFORD, Conn. – A jury of eight men has awarded $5.7 million to Ricky Birch, who spent nearly 30 years behind bars for a murder he did not commit.
The verdict marks the conclusion of Birch’s lawsuit against the Town of New Milford and two former police detectives.
While the jury determined that David Shortt and Steven Jordan did not violate Birch’s right to a fair trial during the 1985 murder investigation of Everett Carr, they found Shortt liable for common law negligence.
The jury ruled that Shortt knew his actions could cause Birch harm.
Shortt died in 2019.
Birch and Shawn Henning were convicted of murder in 1989. Their convictions were overturned in 2019, leading to their exonerations.
During the trial, New Milford attorneys argued that the detectives acted appropriately and had a limited role in the case, which was led by the Connecticut State Police.
The State of Connecticut previously approved a $25.2 million settlement for Birch and Henning in 2024. Henning settled separately with New Milford for $2.5 million.
New Milford Mayor Pete Bass stated he will meet with the town’s attorneys to discuss the verdict and determine how to cover the judgment.
