Court: Man whose terrorism conviction was overturned can’t sue prosecutor for misconduct
By APWednesday, February 3, 2010
Court: Man can’t sue prosecutor over terror case
DETROIT — A man whose conviction on terrorism charges in Detroit was thrown out cannot sue the prosecutor for misconduct.
A federal appeals court reversed a lower court Wednesday and ruled in favor of Richard Convertino.
Karim Koubriti was seeking millions of dollars from Convertino, claiming his constitutional rights were violated.
Koubriti was convicted in 2003 of conspiring to aid terrorists, but the conviction was tossed the following year after the U.S. Justice Department said prosecutors withheld evidence from the defense.
The appeals court says Convertino can’t be sued because he had immunity as a prosecutor. Koubriti still has claims pending against an FBI agent.
Koubriti’s lawyer, Ben Gonek, says he’s disappointed at the ruling. Convertino is no longer a federal prosecutor.
