Selected News and Events from 1980's to July 2011

National and local news media frequently report on cases handled by Howard Friedman. They also call on the firm for commentary on and analysis of civil rights, civil liberties, and constitutional issues. Here are some articles and events from over the past several decades.

On July 20, 2011, Attorney David Milton spoke at a panel discussion at the Cambridge Community Center. The topic was police brutality and the experiences of black men in the criminal justice system. Professor Charles Ogletree of Harvard Law School led the discussion, which was organized in response to the recent deaths of Eurie Stamps and DJ Henry.

Guilty plea due in wrongful conviction; case cited in drive for new DNA law     FULL ARTICLE
Boston.com, July 20, 2011 

Key court case tests right to record the police with a cell phone     FULL ARTICLE
ARS Technica, June 10, 2011

First Circuit hears argument on right to record in public     FULL ARTICLE
Citizen Media Law Project, June 8, 2011

1st Circuit contemplates a First Amendment right to videotape an arrest     FULL ARTICLE
The National Law Journal, June 8, 2011

An innocent man defends free speech on the Boston Common     FULL ARTICLE
Boston.com, June 8, 2011

Brookline resident honored by Massachusetts Bar Association     FULL ARTICLE
Boston.com, June 6, 2011

Howard Friedman was quoted in a Worcester Telegram column. The article states, "If any serious inroads are to be made in preventing false police reports and statements, the district attorney offices around the state must be willing to initiate perjury charges against these officers, according to Howard Friedman, a Boston civil rights lawyer. 'DAs are reluctant to do so, however,' he said. 'They don’t want to get on the wrong side of the police.'" Honesty is best policy for police.     FULL ARTICLE 
Worcester Telegram, April 15, 2011

On April 7, 2011, David Milton spoke about one of the firm's cases at a Boston Bar Association event titled, "Cops, Cellphones, and Constitutional Rights: Glik v. Cunniffe."    EVENT DETAILS

An article in the Boston Globe on March 27, 2011 explains how innocent people are convicted and imprisoned. Two of our client’s cases are used as examples. Neil Miller and Anthony Powell were both wrongfully convicted of rape, in separate incidents years apart. Each man spent over a decade in prison before DNA evidence proved his innocence. Our firm successfully sued, alleging that violations of civil rights by Boston police officers caused the wrongful convictions. Getting guilty right     FULL ARTICLE
Boston.com, March 27, 2011

On May 18, 2011, this firm received the 2011 Access to Justice Pro Bono Award for Law Firms, presented by the Massachusetts Bar Association, in recognition of our "exceptional contribution to legal services and to the principles of equal justice under the law." Read the press release or: MBA Access to Justice Awards Luncheon to honor leaders in public service on May 18      FULL ARTICLE
Lawyers e-Journal, March 24, 2011

Howard Friedman responded to reporters who were investigating Jeff Perry, a 2010 candidate for the 10th district Congress seat. Friedman successfully represented two teenage girls who were illegally strip searched in the 1990’s by a police officer under Perry's supervision. The police officer pled guilty to civil rights violations. Perry was a Wareham police sergeant at the time.  In January 2011, Perry was hired to be the Barnstable County “special sheriff.” Perry lands $110K sheriff's job on Cape
BostonHerald.com, January 24, 2011

Woman says Perry ignored her screams during strip search in '91     FULL ARTICLE
The Patriot Ledger, October 20, 2010

South Hadley man alleges free-speech rights violated by town officials     FULL ARTICLE
The Daily Hampshire Gazette, September 28, 2010

In September 2010, David Milton and attorney Glen Downey of Pittsburgh co-hosted a discussion at the National Lawyer’s Guild Conference in New Orleans. The topic was “Strategies and Risk Assessment in Documenting Police Abuse: Video and Audio Taping Police Misconduct.”

Howard Friedman spoke at a meeting of the Massachusetts Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights at the invitation of the Committee on the subject of violations of civil rights by police in Lawrence. Civil rights group hears accusations of voter fraud in Lawrence     FULL ARTICLE
Eagle-Tribune, July 21, 2010

$1.1m settlement in strip-search suit OK'd     FULL ARTICLE
Associated Press, Boston.com, July 13, 2010

City to pay $3m in '08 celebration death; Man was stricken after Celtics victory    
Boston Globe, June 18, 2010

Parents of Celtics fan settle with Boston for $3M     FULL ARTICLE
Associated Press, WBUR, June 17, 2010

Former inmates win lawsuit against Mass.     
Associated Press, Boston.com, June 14, 2010

Correction officer who says Boston police beat him files suit    
The Boston Globe, September 25, 2009

Former professor suing Lowell police after arrest
The Sun, April 15, 2009

ACLU suit charges Lawrence Police with inhumane treatment of arrestee     FULL ARTICLE
ACLU, April 2, 2009

Files reveal confusion on night of fan's death; Parents assail official findings    
Boston Globe, February 7, 2009

How thorough? How fair? When police investigate police    FULL ARTICLE
Telegram & Gazette, December 21, 2008

$101m Civil Verdict For Wrongful Convictions In Gangland Murder
Boston Globe, July 26, 2007

Innocent Man Finally Finds Justice
Boston Herald, July 18, 2008

Arrest, death bring inquiry; Man, 22, was held in Celtics celebration; Parents contend medical aid delayed
Boston Globe, June 30, 2008

Jail Strip Search Subject of Suit
Springfield Republican, March 29, 2007

Man Sues Police for Wrongful Conviction: Imprisoned 12 1/2 Years on Rape Charge
Boston Globe, March 23, 2007

Settlement Reached on Strip Searches
Springfield Republican, January 11, 2007

Suffolk DA Clears Greco Posthumously on 1965 Murder Rap
Boston Herald, November 4, 2006

Staples Suit Resolved By Classy Action
Boston Globe, October 26, 2006

Former Inmates File Lawsuit Over Prison Cells Without Toilets
Boston Globe, August 5, 2006

Hub to Pay $3.2M for Wrongful Conviction
Boston Herald, March 1, 2006

Group asks end of pepper gun use - O'Toole vows review of weapons safety
Boston Globe, November 5, 2004

Boston Police Commander Accused Before
Associated Press, October 29, 2004

Two Boston Cops Convicted of Obstruction of Justice
Associated Press, October 27, 2004

Police Tied To a Beating and a Coverup
Boston Globe, July 30, 2003

Feds indict two cops for fabricating witnesses
Boston Herald, July 30, 2003

$1.35m settlement in strip-search case
Boston Globe, June 22, 2003

Ex-inmate sues over wrongful rape conviction
Associated Press, May 1, 2003

Woman files lawsuit over jail strip-search: The Massachusetts woman's attorney says his client's rights were violated
Portland, Maine Press Herald, October 16, 2002

Police fatally shoot suspect after chase
Boston Globe, May 22, 2002

Ex-prisoner says she was strip-searched in view of men
Boston Globe, April 24, 2002

Sergeant sued in beating demoted
Boston Globe, April 20, 2002

Cheryl Poore back as softball coach
Cape Cod Times, July 22, 2000

Ayer pays $80G to settle police brutality suit
The Lowell Sun, February 17, 2000

Boston pays settlement over alleged police setup: Police accuser gets $62,500
Boston Globe, March 12, 1999  

Police pay $48,000 to settle strip-search case
Boston Globe, October 2, 1998

Detective's testimony details cops' shady dealings
Boston Herald, April 8, 1998

Girl wins lawsuit against police: Jury awards teen $50,000 in damages
New Bedford Standard-Times, November 29, 1995   

Mayor fires cop
Lynn Daily Evening Item, May 13, 1994    

Ex-cop guilty of assault: Wareham strip-search leads to prison term
New Bedford Standard-Times, November 4, 1993

St. Clair report to figure in suit: Lawyer says it'll bolster brutality claim
Boston Globe, February 5, 1992

Top officer demoted for striking student: Commander demoted for striking student after Series
Boston Globe, November 7, 1987

Pupil, 11, was strip-searched, Lowell suit says
Boston Globe, March 15, 1984  

GREEN PARTY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE RALPH NADER'S
LAWSUIT AGAINST THE COMMISSION ON PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES:

Nader applauds debate settlement
Washington Post, April 16, 2002

Debate group send Nader check, apology, but not a seat: Green Party candidate sued sponsor of Bush-Gore faceoff
Washington Post, April 17, 2002

Nader wants apology from Debate Panel for turning him away
New York Times, October 5, 2000

Nader sues debate panel over denied admission
Boston Herald, October 18, 2000

MACK v. SUFFOLK COUNTY CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT:

 City of Boston, Suffolk County pay $10 million for jail strip searches
Associated Press, May 29, 2002

Females' suit leads to new jail policy
Boston Herald, June 7, 2001

Judge clears way for class-action suit over strip searches
Boston Globe, February 18, 2000

Mass. Police will be taught strip-search regulations
Boston Herald, September 27, 2000

Jail strip-searches cease: Prompted by women's class-action threat
Boston Herald, June 3, 1999

Boston area women join in strip-search lawsuit: They claim arrests on minor criminal charges did not warrant invasive procedure
Boston Tab, September 21-27, 1999