Missouri Judge Orders $44 Million Payout in Landmark Wrongful Conviction Case
Ryan Ferguson. A name that’s become synonymous with injustice—and now, redemption.
In a stunning decision, a Missouri judge has ordered St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co., a subsidiary of Travelers Insurance, to pay nearly $44 million to Ferguson and six police officers. Why? Because the insurer refused to pay out a settlement tied to Ferguson’s wrongful conviction.
This isn’t just another legal battle. It’s one of the largest awards for a wrongful conviction case in U.S. history.
A Decade Lost
Ferguson’s story is heartbreaking. In 2005, he was convicted of the 2001 murder of Kent Heitholt, a sports editor at the Columbia Daily Tribune. The evidence? Flimsy. Witnesses? Unreliable.
He spent nearly ten years in prison before his conviction was overturned in 2013. Witnesses recanted. The case fell apart. Ferguson walked free.
But freedom didn’t mean justice.
The Fight for Compensation
After his release, Ferguson sued the city of Columbia and the police officers involved in his case. In 2017, he won an $11 million federal civil rights lawsuit. A victory, right? Not so fast.
The city’s insurer, St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co., refused to pay the full settlement. Their argument? The actions leading to Ferguson’s wrongful conviction happened before their coverage began.
So, Ferguson fought back.
The Officers’ Role
The “officers” in this case? They were the police officers involved in the investigation that led to Ferguson’s wrongful conviction.
After Ferguson’s conviction was overturned, he sued the city and these officers for misconduct. When the city’s insurer refused to pay the settlement, the officers joined Ferguson in the lawsuit. Why? Because the insurer’s refusal to pay left them financially vulnerable. Some even faced the threat of bankruptcy.
The officers argued that St. Paul acted in bad faith, shifting the financial burden onto them. And the courts agreed.
The Insurance Angle
This wasn’t just about money. It was about principle.
Ferguson and the officers claimed the insurer acted in bad faith. They said St. Paul shifted the financial burden onto the officers, forcing them to face potential bankruptcy. The legal battle dragged on for years.
Finally, in November 2024, a jury sided with Ferguson. And just yesterday, Cole County Circuit Judge S. Cotton Walker made it official: St. Paul must pay $43.8 million.
Breaking Down the $44 Million
Where’s all that money going?
- $3.2 million in compensatory damages.
- $24.2 million in punitive damages.
- $535,000 for “vexatious refusal” to pay.
- $16 million in interest.
The officers will split about $5 million. The rest goes to Ferguson.
What’s Next?
Can St. Paul appeal? Sure. Will they? That’s unclear.
For now, Ferguson has closure. Sort of. “He was thrilled,” Zellner said. “It’s not quite the same as when his conviction was overturned, but it’s close.”