City of Indianapolis settles wrongful imprisonment lawsuit

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Court records show that the city of Indianapolis has settled a lawsuit for $99,000 that was filed by a man who claims police used false evidence to imprison him.

Derrick Hazelwood filed the federal lawsuit last June, saying detectives with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department used testimony from a questionable witness and mischaracterized evidence to link him to the May 2012 killing of Wayne Keeylen.

The Indianapolis Star reports (http://indy.st/1VT7ROH) that court documents show a settlement was reached April 29. The documents say the city doesn't admit liability or wrongdoing under the settlement.

Hazelwood attorney Andrea Ciobanu declined comment on the settlement citing a confidentiality clause.

The murder charge against Hazelwood was dropped in January 2015 and Hazelwood's record has been expunged.

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Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com