Second Juror in New Hampshire Youth Center Abuse Trial Clarifies Verdict, Alleges State Misinterpretation

Juror Challenges New Hampshire’s Cap on $38M Verdict in Abuse Case

In a groundbreaking lawsuit over abuse at New Hampshire’s youth detention center, a juror is challenging the state’s decision to cap the $38 million verdict at $475,000. The jury awarded David Meehan $18 million in compensatory damages and $20 million in enhanced damages for the negligence that allowed him to suffer repeated abuse as a teenager at the Youth Development Center in Manchester.

The state’s attorney general’s office cited a law that limits claimants against the state to recover a maximum of $475,000 per “incident.” However, jurors were not informed of this cap when they awarded Meehan the $38 million. The completed verdict form indicated that the jury found only one incident of abuse, but the juror later clarified that they considered Meehan’s complex PTSD resulting from over 100 injuries.

Meehan’s attorneys are now seeking an emergency hearing to challenge the state’s interpretation of the verdict. Former state Supreme Court Justice Gary Hicks has been brought in to help make their case. The jury foreperson expressed regret over the verdict, stating they were “devastated” and “sickened” by the mistake they made.

The lawsuit highlighted a culture of abuse at the youth detention center, with Meehan’s attorneys arguing that the state fostered brutality, corruption, and a code of silence. The state, on the other hand, claimed it was not liable for the actions of rogue employees and questioned Meehan’s credibility.

The case has raised questions about the state’s handling of civil lawsuits while also prosecuting criminal cases related to the abuse. The outcome of the hearing could have far-reaching implications for future cases involving state liability for abuse.