A case that has captured national attention is now moving forward to trial: the lawsuit of Daniel Villegas against the City of El Paso and several police officers.
Villegas was only 16 years old when he was coerced into falsely confessing to a double murder in 1993. That confession, extracted under threats and intimidation, led to a wrongful conviction and nearly 20 years in prison. After his conviction was overturned in 2013, a jury acquitted him in 2018.
Now, a federal judge has ruled that Villegas has presented enough evidence for his civil rights lawsuit to proceed. At the heart of the case are allegations that El Paso police tolerated constitutional violations in pursuit of arrests—claims that strike at the foundation of public trust in law enforcement.
While Spencer Trial Attorneys did not handle the case, we are proud that our own Jake Spencer is one of the attorneys of record in the Villegas lawsuit. This involvement is consistent with our firm’s values and mission.
As this case proceeds, it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting constitutional rights and ensuring that no one else suffers the fate that Villegas endured. Our firm remains proud of our ongoing commitment to justice in El Paso and beyond.