Man sues Durham DA, police for false prosecution

Frankie Washington alleges that investigators ignored evidence that another man, who was convicted of a series of rapes in the neighborhood, committed the crime. He also maintained that Cline and others failed to test evidence that would have proved his innocence and let him languish in jail for more than four years while awaiting trial.

Washington was convicted based on witness testimony, according to the suit, but the state Court of Appeals overturned the convictions, ruling that prosecutors violated his guarantee to a speedy trial.

In addition to unspecified monetary damages, Washington is seeking a court order to appoint an independent monitor to review the investigative policies of the police department for 10 years and a three-person committee to hear citizen complaints against the department.