Erie County officials announced plans to appeal an $80 million court judgment resulting from a lawsuit filed by the estate of Darryl Boyd. The announcement came from Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz on Thursday, following a judge’s ruling against the county in a case linked to the so-called “Buffalo Five.”
Darryl Boyd was a member of this group, which was wrongfully convicted in the 1976 murder of William Crawford. Boyd, who was just 16 years old at the time of the crime, spent nearly three decades in prison before being released on parole. In 2021, a judge overturned his conviction, leading Boyd to file a lawsuit the following year. The suit alleged that the Erie County District Attorney’s Office had withheld crucial evidence related to his case.
Poloncarz expressed concern over the financial implications of the judgment. “If we were to pay it out of the operating budget, we’d have to dramatically raise taxes or cut many services significantly,” he stated. He added that borrowing the funds would incur additional expenses, likely bringing the total obligation to around $100 million due to interest.
The county’s decision to appeal reflects a broader concern about the potential financial burden on taxpayers. The legal battle stems from the larger issue of wrongful convictions, which have garnered increased attention in recent years. The case of the Buffalo Five has become emblematic of the challenges faced by individuals wrongfully imprisoned and the systemic failures that allow such injustices to occur.
Poloncarz did not disclose specific details regarding the appeal process or the timeline for advancing the case. However, he reiterated the county’s commitment to pursuing the matter through the judicial system. The outcome of this appeal could set a significant precedent for similar cases in the future, as wrongful conviction lawsuits continue to emerge across the country.
As the legal situation unfolds, many will be watching closely to see how Erie County navigates the complexities of this high-stakes appeal and what it means for the legacy of Darryl Boyd and the other members of the Buffalo Five.
