Exonerated rape suspect who served more than 25 years in prison wins $9.5 million settlement

CHARLOTTE, NC — The city of Charlotte, North Carolina has agreed to a $9.5 million settlement with a man who sued the city after serving more than 25 years in prison before being pardoned by then-Gov. Pat McCrory.

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City officials announced Friday that a settlement had been reached with Timothy Scott Bridges, who, in February 1991, was convicted by a Mecklenburg County jury of the 1989 rape and assault of Modine Wise.

“The city of Charlotte is unaware at this time of any scientifically sound physical evidence connecting Mr. Bridges to the crime, and in consideration of the former governor’s pardon and the possibility of a significantly larger jury verdict, the Charlotte City Council agreed to settle Mr. Bridges’s lawsuit for $9.5 million,” City Attorney Bob Hagemann said.

Officials said hair sample analysis was the only physical evidence introduced during the trial that connected Bridges to the crime scene, and he was sentenced to life in prison.

Sources told Channel 9 that the city views the historic payout as a good deal because attorneys for Bridges were asking for $25 million.

Bridges didn’t receive an apology from the city. Attorneys said they are disappointed that despite the settlement, city officials couldn't muster up the words, “I'm sorry.”

“Tim would have taken a lot less money if it was accompanied by an apology and an acceptance of responsibility,” attorney Tim Rudolf said.

In 2015, Federal Bureau of Investigation officials concluded that prior to 1999, agents and FBI-trained state and local investigators often gave testimony that put more weight on hair comparisons than was scientifically appropriate at the time. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer who testified at Bridges’s trial was trained by the FBI, officials said.

According to officials, a court granted Bridges a new trial in October 2015 and ordered his release from prison on an unsecured bond based on determinations by the FBI.

The District’s Attorney’s Office dismissed charges against Bridges in February 2016 and he was later pardoned by then-Gov. McCrory in December 2016.

Bridges sued the city of Charlotte in 2016 and initially demanded $25 million.

Rather than taking the case to trial, city leaders decided to settle, saying they aren't aware of any scientifically sound physical evidence connecting him to the crime.

Attorneys for Bridges said while no amount of money will give him those 25 years back, the settlement will help him move forward.

“The money will help him because he doesn't have to worry how he is going to survive for the rest of his life,” attorney Sonya Pfeiffer said.

Cox Media Group