Opinion ID: 70929
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: 2 On January 21, 1992, the Metro-Dade Police Department (MDPD) received a report of a robbery and kidnapping. On January 23, 1992, a confidential informant informed the MDPD and Officer Christian that an organized group of which he was a member committed the robbery. The informant stated that he knew the member who committed the robbery, provided the address of the alleged robber's residence, and proceeded with Christian to that address. That address belonged to Ortega's brother. 3 Upon arrival at the address, the informant identified Ortega and his brother as the men who committed the robbery. Christian immediately arrested both men and searched the residence. Ortega proclaimed his innocence and requested an opportunity to prove a case of mistaken identity. Christian refused to comply with Ortega's request and failed to make any inquiries into the claims of innocence. The MDPD held Ortega in custody for five months without bond until Ortega's bond hearing on June 3, 1992. At the bond hearing, the court ordered the release of Ortega from custody. 4 The victim of the robbery never identified Ortega as the person who committed the robbery. Ortega, however, repeatedly proclaimed his innocence and demanded an opportunity to appear in a line-up or a photo spread. The MDPD scheduled and cancelled Ortega for a line-up or photo spread on three separate occasions--April 24, April 30, and May 14--during the five months of his incarceration.