27 years later: man wrongfully convicted files federal lawsuit

ELKHART, Ind. -- Reginald "Reggie" Dillard was 30 years old when he was arrested for a murder he says he didn't commit, set free from prison after 27 years. The only problem: He was wrongfully convicted.

Today, Dillard and his attorneys announced a new federal lawsuit against the people they say framed him. Dillard says they destroyed decades of his life through systemic corruption and manufactured evidence. Today, he and his family shared the emotions of his time away and journey home.

“My father was taken away from me. He was stolen from me when I was six years old, and people don't understand what it's like growing up without a father,” says Dillard’s daughter, Karen Dillard. “So, nothing in the world can make me more happier than this moment”.
Other family members expressed their gratitude regarding Dillard’s return.

"Oh my God! This is the puzzle. This is this puzzle right here. This was the only piece was missing. Now we had his piece,” says Dillard’s aunt, Laverne Buck.

Tears were shed as Dillard's family opened up about the heavy toll of his time in prison. In between embracing his loved ones, Dillard made it clear that for him, this fight isn't about the payout — it's about a much deeper sense of accountability.

“It's not about money. No number, no number can give me the justice that I'm asking for. The justice that I want is for Elkhart corrupt officers and prosecutors and attorneys to get out of Elkhart,” says Dillard. “You can't give me my justice back, so it's no need for me to ask for it. I don't want your money, 'cause it's dirty money, it's blood money."

Dillard and his attorneys plan on achieving that justice by targeting the specific police officers, prosecutors, and government entities involved in his original 1999 to 2000 criminal case.

“I mean, this was an absolute frame job by the officers, by the prosecutors involved,” said Dillard’s attorney, Elliot Slosar of Loevy & Loevy Attorneys at Law. “I think the end goal in all these lawsuits is accountability. You know, a jury is not going to give Reggie or his family back 27 years, but you know, one goal is you know to hold the officers and the prosecutors accountable for the misconduct that they committed."

While Dillard’s journey to justice is still in its early stages, for now, he is just overjoyed to be back where he belongs, surrounded by his family.
“And we call the Dillards. It start at the top. It start at the top.” says Dillard.

Today also marks the one-year anniversary of his mother's passing, which occurred just four months before he was finally released. Some relatives wore memorial necklaces to honor her legacy.

The City of Elkhart says it has not yet received the lawsuit, but Dillard's attorneys tell ABC57 everyone named in the suit will be formally served.