CHAMPAIGN - A central Illinois city has approved settling two lawsuits accusing police of wrongdoing for a combined $3.7 million.
The Champaign City Council approved the settlement Tuesday, with the bulk of the funds going to Teshome Campbell.
Campbell sued the city and six officers, alleging he was wrongfully incarcerated for nearly 18 years in connection with the 1997 murder of James Shephard. His murder conviction was vacated and he was released from prison in 2016. He's receiving a $3.5 million settlement.
The council also approved a $220,000 settlement for Alton Corey, who filed an excessive-force lawsuit against the city and two officers when they came to his apartment complex last year for domestic dispute.
Both settlement agreements say the city doesn't admit any liability or wrongdoing.
