AI-powered wrongful arrest lawsuit
A Tennessee woman who spent six months in jail in Fargo due to an AI-powered facial recognition error has filed a lawsuit against the city government and a detective.
Angela Lipps, a Tennessee resident who spent six months wrongfully imprisoned due to a Fargo police AI-powered facial recognition software error, has filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Fargo and Detective Lucas Heck.
AI-Powered Wrongful Detention Process
Angela Lipps, who was linked to a bank fraud case in the city of Fargo, remained in prison for six months over charges she stated she did not commit. Law enforcement reported that they used facial recognition software to identify the suspect.
Lawsuit Filed in Federal Court
In the federal lawsuit filed on Tuesday, Angela Lipps brought five separate counts against the city of Fargo and Detective Lucas Heck, including civil rights violations and malicious prosecution. Lipps proved with bank records that she was in Tennessee at the time of the incident.
Physical and Psychological Traumas Experienced
It was stated that Lipps, who was released in December, suffered physical and mental injuries during her time in prison. The lawsuit petition stated that she has experienced emotional distress, anxiety, panic attacks, and a general paranoia since the incident.
Legal and Public Demands of the Attorneys
Requesting a jury trial, Angela Lipps's attorney, Dane DeKrey, stated that community support shows a desire for the police to be held accountable. It was emphasized that this lawsuit could serve as a precedent for anyone experiencing similar situations during a time when the use of artificial intelligence is increasing.
Stance of the Municipality and Police Department
While the city of Fargo declined to comment on the lawsuit, the police department initially denied any wrongdoing. However, then-Police Chief Dave Zibolski acknowledged during a March press conference that mistakes were made during the investigation.