Judge boots part of Pittsburgh rape suspect’s suit
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed part of a lawsuit filed by the first Allegheny County man to have his rape conviction overturned by DNA evidence.
Fifty-year-old Thomas Doswell spent 19 years in prison before his rape conviction was overturned in 2005.
The judge says Pittsburgh police had probable cause to charge him at the time, so she threw out his claims for malicious prosecution.
The judge is allowing claims against a city detective to go forward, however. Doswell claims the detective investigating the 1986 rape in question was out to “get” Doswell after he was acquitted of a 1984 rape investigated by the same detective.
Doswell contends a 1986 photo lineup was tainted because his mug shot was marked with an “R” when the victim identified him.