For a couple years, the case was cold.
He had zero memory of that night.
Erickson then asked a friend for advice.
Turned out that was a horrific idea.
His friend promptly turned him into the police.
The cops had their man, but apparently that wasn’t enough.
They charged that Erickson and Ferguson robbed & killed the man for “drinking money”.
Ferguson maintained his innocence, but it didn’t matter.
They were sentenced in 2005.
Ferguson was a free man by 2013.
Once released, Ferguson was awarded $11 million in a settlement after suing the city of Columbia.
But he didn’t receive his money.
But that’s just me.
I figure I spend a year or two of my life in rehab, unable to walk.
To me, that seems extremely worth it.
This whole ordeal started for him in 2003.
He was 19 years old.
His life was more or less hell until the day he was released in 2013.
Then for the next 10+ years, I imagine he was at war with Traveler’s Insurance.
Would I want that for my non-existent hypothetical son?
People dedicate 21 years of their lives doing much worse for significantly less money.
Now they do technically have their freedom for the entirety of that time.
But to be awarded $38 million at the age of 40?
People would kill to be retired by age 40.
Ryan Ferguson didn’t even have to do that.
He just had to be accused of it.
Come to think of it, I might sign my future son up for that as well.
That’s a damn nice way to live the back half of your life.
And a pretty cool story to tell at parties.
