Dutchess lawmakers approve $7.5 million settlement in Dewey Bozella wrongful imprisonment case
POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess county Legislature approved a $7.6 million settlement for Dewey Bozella for his wrongful imprisonment for 26 years in state prison for the 1977 burglary and murder of a 92-year-old Poughkeepsie woman.
Bozella had been convicted of killing Emma Casper in the City of Poughkeepsie, but he was exonerated after all that time based on additional evidence that had never been turned over to his attorney.
Bozella, who initially sought 25 million in damages, settled with the county for the lesser amount and on Tuesday evening. The legislature’s approval must now go before the court for final approval. The legislature’s resolution calls for a stipulation of settlement filed with the court and no admission of liability, fault or wrong doing by the county.
