KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – One day after the Kalamazoo County Prosecuting Attorney announced no new charges will be be filed against a Battle Creek man who spent decades in prison before being declared a free man, that man filed a lawsuit against the State of Michigan for wrongful imprisonment.
Jeff Titus of Battle Creek is asking for a rate of $50,000 for each year of imprisonment, totaling $1,026,740. The lawsuit seeking the damages was filed Friday.
Titus was convicted in August 2002 for the November 17, 1990 murders of hunters Doug Estes and James Bennet on the Fulton State Game Area in Kalamazoo County, which was next to his property. It was alleged that he murdered the two hunters for shooting deer on his property.
Even though Titus was released from prison on February 24, 2023, the prospect of a criminal trial still loomed for the now 71-year-old man.
In remarks at a press conference Thursday, Kalamazoo County Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Getting said he made the decision not go ahead with a trial due to many factors ranging from stalled investigations, differing witnesses, along with those involved with the case passing away, as well as another key suspect, Thomas Dillon, who died in prison in 2011.
additional reporting from Jerry Malec
