Netflix has reached a settlement with a former prosecutor involved in the exonerated case against the Central Park Five teens. Linda Fairstein sued the streaming platform, director of the series Ava DuVernayand writer Attica Locke about portraying her character in the limited series, ‘When They See Us’.
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What happens next?
According to Associated Press, Linda Fairstein first filed four years ago, and the trial in the case was expected to begin later this month. However, on Tuesday (June 4), the two main parties in the lawsuit – Linda and Netflix – announced the settlement. In a statement, she said the decision to make a deal “was not easy.” Apparently, she was confident she had a “compelling” case for the jury.
Although Netflix cuts a check as part of the deal, the money won’t go into Linda’s pocket! Instead, the streaming giant will donate $1 million to the Innocence Projecta non-profit organization dedicated to exoneration of people who have been wrongfully convicted.
Additionally, the Netflix miniseries will also have a new warning that says:
“Although the film is inspired by real events and people, certain characters, incidents, locations, dialogue and names are fictionalized for dramatization purposes.”
Both resolutions seem to be enough for Linda. Her statement emphasized that the case was never about money, but about her reputation.
“That’s what this case is about – not about ‘winning’ or any financial restitution, but about my reputation and that of my colleagues,” Fairstein stated. “It was about making it clear that the vile caricature invented by the defendants and portrayed on screen was not me.”
What did Linda Fairstein’s lawsuit allege?
The former prosecutor argued that the 2019 four-part series ‘When They See Us’ defamed her by portraying her as a “racist and unethical villain” and attributed actions, responsibilities and views that were not hers.
For context, Linda Fairstein was Manhattan’s top sex crimes prosecutor in 1989, according to the AP. That same year, five black and Latino teenagers —Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana Jr. —were accused of sexually assaulting a jogger in Central Park. Linda did not try the case in court. However, she observed the interrogation.
Despite the deal, Ava DuVernay keeps her foot on Linda’s neck in the public eye. She still believes Fairstein bears some blame for five boys spending between five and 13 years in prison.
“As head of the Manhattan Sex Crimes unit, Linda Fairstein was at the station for more than 35 hours straight as the boys were questioned as adults, often without their parents present,” wrote Ava. Adding: “I hope one day Linda Fairstein can come to terms with the role he played in this miscarriage of justice and finally accept responsibility.”
See Ava’s full statement about the plea deal below.
Statement regarding Linda Fairstein’s defamation lawsuit regarding her representation in WHEN THEY SEE US. pic.twitter.com/X9yQUAybOi
-Ava DuVernay (@ava) June 4, 2024
In 2002, the court overturned all five convictions. Serial rapist Matias Reyes confessed to the assault and his DNA confirmed his involvement. The five men are now known as the Exonerated Five.
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Associated Press staff contributed to this report.