Civil lawsuit filed for wrongful conviction and three decades of incarceration of John Huffington in Maryland

Law firms Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge, LLC, and Saller Ernstberger & McElroy call the convictions shameful and deeply traumatic

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND (July 24, 2025) – John Huffington spent more than 32 years in prison for a 1981 double murder he did not commit, and received a full pardon from the Governor of Maryland in acknowledgement that the state wrongfully convicted him. Today, the law firms of Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge, LLC and Saller Ernstberger & McElroy announce a civil lawsuit filed on behalf of John Huffington.  

John had no motive nor any history of violent behavior that would have made the then-18-year-old a viable suspect in the heinous murders of Joseph Hudson, Jr. and Diane Becker in 1981. Nonetheless, John was convicted of the murders and sentenced to death. It took John over 30 years of investigation, appeals, and post-conviction work to obtain his release. As a part of that process, he was able to demonstrate that Harford County State’s Attorney Joseph Cassilly had knowingly withheld evidence supporting John’s innocence and that Mr. Cassilly had lied to the court about it. As a result, Mr. Cassilly was disbarred by the State of Maryland after having served as the State’s Attorney for Harford County for 36 years.

Former State’s Attorney Cassilly did not act alone to convict John corruptly. John’s lawsuit seeks to demonstrate that the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office, embarked upon a flawed and corrupt investigation that used another suspect in the murders to manufacture false evidence against John and, at the same time, to knowingly withhold exculpatory evidence of John’s innocence. The complaint details the allegations of a corrupt investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and the State’s Attorney’s Office.

John was released from prison in 2013, then facing a third trial by State’s Attorney Cassilly. John entered an Alford plea in 2017, whereby he maintained his innocence. Subsequently, he received a full pardon for innocence by then-Maryland Governor Larry Hogan on January 13, 2023. Current Governor Wes Moore stated, “On behalf of the entire State of Maryland, we are deeply, deeply sorry, and we are deeply, deeply inspired by the work that you are doing now.”

Since his release, John has devoted his life and career to educating and helping others. He regularly trains law enforcement agencies and works with people transitioning from incarceration back to their communities.

Mr. Huffington is represented by Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci and Attorney Patrick J. Driscoll of Romanucci & Blandin, LLC in Chicago; Partner Brian Eldridge, Partner John Marrese and Attorney Jay Kasperbauer of Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge, LLC in Chicago; and Partner Hannah Ernstberger of Saller, Ernstberger & McElroy in Baltimore.

Defendants include: David Saneman, in his personal/individual capacity; Diana Cassilly, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Joseph Ignatius Cassilly, deceased, in both his official and personal/individual capacity; Personal Representative To Be Named of the Estate of William Van Horn, deceased, in his personal/individual capacity; Bernadette M. Picha, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Wesley J. Picha, deceased, in his personal/individual capacity; Personal Representative To Be Named of the Estate of Gerard Comen, deceased, in his personal/individual capacity; and Harford County (Maryland).

The ten counts in the complaint include:

• COUNT 1 - 42. U.S.C. § 1983: Deprivation of Liberty Without Due Process of Law
• COUNT 2 - 42 U.S.C. § 1983: Malicious Prosecution
• COUNT 3 - 42 U.S.C. § 1983: False Arrest
• COUNT 4 - 42 U.S.C. § 1983: Monell Liability: Non-Disclosure of Exculpatory Material Brady and Napue Violations
• COUNT 5 - 42 U.S.C. § 1983: Monell Liability: Evidence Fabrication and Witness Coercion
• COUNT 6 - 42 U.S.C. § 1983: Civil Rights Conspiracy
• COUNT 7 - Maryland Common Law: False Arrest
• COUNT 8 - Maryland Common Law: False Imprisonment
• COUNT 9 - Maryland Common Law: Malicious Prosecution
• COUNT 10 - Maryland Common Law: Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

“These convictions, put in the simplest terms, were fundamentally wrong-headed and never should have happened. John Huffington paid dearly for the insufficient investigation and prosecution with decades of his life, deep trauma to his personal relationships, and a derailment of his reputation, career aspirations and earning potential. He deserves full accountability for these harms,” said Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci of Romanucci & Blandin.

“This case is maddening in terms of just how badly John was mistreated by the criminal justice system. Joseph Cassilly, the prosecutor, was disbarred for his misconduct in John’s particular case. That’s not something that happens often. But what has now become clear is that Cassilly’s lies and deceit were not only intended to hide his own misconduct; he was trying to cover up for the egregious and unconstitutional acts committed by all of the defendants we have named in this suit. John served more than 32 years in prison as an innocent man. We are committed to seeking justice on his behalf,” said Partner Brian Eldridge of Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge

“The impact this double murder had in Maryland is difficult to articulate. What happened to John is tragic, and he will spend a lifetime encountering people who judge him, even despite the pardon from the Governor. This civil accountability is deeply important to John and our legal team,” said Partner Hannah Ernstberger of Saller, Ernstberger & McElroy.

“It took many, many painful years, but the truth eventually came out about my case. But here’s another painful truth: All of those years I spent behind bars damaged and strained my relationships, cost me the ability to have a family of my own, cost me the ability to be with my mother when she died, cost me precious time with my father who was in his nineties and suffering from Alzheimer's when I finally was released. Neither of my parents ever got to see and understand my name was cleared and I was free,” stated Plaintiff John Huffington.

To learn more about legal options involving civil rights violations, please click here.

About Romanucci & Blandin, LLC

Romanucci & Blandin is a Chicago-based national trial practice committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse and wrongful death. For 25 years, we have secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients - many for millions of dollars and others record-setting awards.  Our experience ranges from mass shootings, civil rights and police misconduct to medical malpractice, sexual abuse, motor vehicle accidents or workplace injury cases involving individual or institutional negligence. Romanucci & Blandin is a valuable legal resource to individuals and groups of people who have been injured by others’ wrongdoing. Referring attorneys and clients say several factors differentiate our firm: Our record of success, depth of experience, talented and dedicated legal team, tireless preparation and strategic use of communications to fight for the rights of those whose lives have been changed forever. We are different from other personal injury firms in that our work does not stop when a verdict or settlement is secured.  We are often inspired by our clients’ experiences and commit resources to create change in our communities. For more information about Romanucci & Blandin, please visit www.rblaw.net or call (312) 458-1000.

About Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge

Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge, LLC (“HME”) is a firm of trial lawyers specializing in civil rights, mass tort, and class action cases. The attorneys at HME practice on a nationwide basis in both federal and state courts and are actively involved in some of the largest and most significant cases in the country. HME attorneys are invested in the fight for justice and consistently take on cases to advance civil justice and equal rights. HME prides itself on winning complex cases, fiercely advocating for its clients, and being a driving force behind civic and social change in Chicago and throughout the country. HME’s civil rights practice includes cases involving wrongful convictions, wrongful shootings, police brutality, and unconstitutional policing.  HME has also successfully challenged police policies through civil rights and class action cases in both Illinois and elsewhere. For more information about Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge, please visit www.hmelegal.com or call (312) 955-0545.

About Saller, Ernstberger, & McElroy

Saller Ernstberger & McElroy ("Saller Law”) is a small, local Baltimore-based firm focused on serving the residents of Maryland. Saller Law's attorneys specialize in criminal defense and a wide array of civil litigation. Our firm was proudly one of the first to formally file suit against the corrupt Gun Trace Task Force officers, seeking justice for numerous Baltimore citizens that were terrorized and silenced by the former officers. We strive to be a voice for those that may otherwise not be heard.