Judge Limits Dail's Support Payments

Dwayne Dail

A judge has ruled the ex-girlfriend of a man who spent 18 years in prison for a rape he did not commit, will receive only a portion, if any, of the $360,000 in compensation that he is due from the state for imprisonment.

Dwayne Allen Dail said Thursday evening he would have preferred the case be dismissed as frivolous because it was filed for the wrong reasons.

Lorraine Michaels, the mother of Dail's son, Christopher, filed a lawsuit in November, seeking a "reasonable sum for the care and maintenance of the minor child" for the years Dail was in prison.

Dail's attorney, Shelby Benton, said the judge ruled that Michaels can only collect for the past three years, not the full 18, which amounts to roughly $11,000. In addition, Michaels will have to prove her expenses at a later hearing to be awarded any back child support.

Benton said Dail owes nothing because he had no income while in prison.

Dail said he believes the case law is clear on the issue and that he has confidence that the court system will handle the case correctly.

Dail has no relationship with his son’s mother, but said he hopes one day to at least be friends with her.



119 Comments


Golo

Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.

You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.

View Comments View Comments

Ask Anything
  1. Amanda Lamb
    10 questions with Crime Reporter Amanda Lamb

    WRAL Crime Reporter Amanda Lamb answers your questions about crime scenes, murder cases and much more.

  2. Eleanor Goettee
    10 questions with Wake school board member

    Eleanor Goettee answers your questions about teacher pay, year-round schools ...

  3. Steve Cohen
    10 questions with Cary EMS Chief Steve Cohen

    Steve Cohen answers your questions about saving lives and what to do in emergency situations.

Multimedia
  1. RWO 05
    Raleigh Wide Open celebration

    The party continues for a second day in downtown Raleigh.

  2. rwo
    Raleigh Wide Open parade

    Raleigh celebrates the opening of the new Raleigh Convention Center and downtown redevelopment with the third annual celebration called Raleigh Wide…

  3. International Festival on September 6th, 2008
    23rd annual International Festival of Raleigh

    Thousands braved Tropical Storm Hanna on Sept. 6, 2008, to check out the 23rd annual International Festival at the new Raleigh Convention Center.

  4. Hanna Interactive
    Hanna Interactive

    See Hanna's path and view footage from central North Carolina.

  5. Hanna Tracking
    Tracking Hanna

    Meteorologists have been tracking Hanna, which has been a tropical storm and a hurricane.