Lee Evans, the man accused of masterminding one of Newark's most haunting murder cases has filed suit against the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, the Newark Police Department and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), claiming he was the victim of a political conspiracy and a malicious prosecution rife with shoddy police work, reports the Newark Star-Ledger. .
The civil suit contends that police had no evidence tying Evans to the arson murder of five teenage boys from Newark who disappeared in 1978. It also accuses prosecutors of relying almost solely on a statement given by Evans' cousin and co-defendant, Philander Hampton. Evans was acquitted of murder in 2011. “This system is not about justice, it's not about justice at all,” said Evans, 60. “It's about two things. A win and a loss.” The suit repeats his claim that the charges were orchestrated to help Booker win a second term as Newark mayor. Evans was arrested two months before an election Booker was heavily favored to win. Hampton was was sentenced to a 10-year prison term and remains in custody.