Police Misconduct — Fabricated Evidence

Jamal Trulove — Framed for Murder by SFPD

County: San Francisco Severity: 9.0/10 Status: Acquitted — $13.1M Settlement

SFPD detectives fabricated evidence, manipulated a witness identification, and ignored another suspect to frame Jamal Trulove for the murder of his friend. He spent 6 years in prison on a 50-years-to-life sentence before an appeals court found prosecutorial misconduct. A jury acquitted him at retrial. A federal jury then found the detectives violated his civil rights — the largest verdict ever against the SFPD. No officers were disciplined.

$13.1M

Taxpayer Settlement

Years Imprisoned

50-Life

Original Sentence

Officers Disciplined

What Happened

On July 23, 2007, Seu Kuka was shot and killed at the Sunnydale Housing Project in San Francisco. Kuka was Jamal Trulove's friend. Hours after the murder, SFPD detectives already had Trulove as their prime suspect — before any investigation.

That night, an eyewitness named Priscilla Lualemaga told police she "didn't really get a good look at the shooter." When she failed to identify Trulove in an interview, a detective asked her: "Are you sure it wasn't Jamal Trulove?"

The following evening, detectives showed Lualemaga a photo lineup. But it wasn't a real lineup — it included the same photo of Trulove from the previous night, along with people she already knew and hadn't identified as the shooter. The detectives told her they had already identified the shooter and would show her his photo.

The detectives were also aware of another suspect. They didn't investigate him.

A jury convicted Trulove of first-degree murder in 2010. He was sentenced to 50 years to life.

Key Players

SFPD Homicide Detectives

Michael Johnson & Maureen D'Amico

Led the investigation. A federal jury found they violated Trulove's civil rights by fabricating evidence, manipulating witness identification, and withholding exculpatory evidence. They showed a witness a single photo rather than a proper lineup. They were aware of another suspect and didn't investigate. Both retired. Neither was disciplined.

San Francisco DA's Office

Prosecuting Authority

A prosecutor stated in closing arguments that the eyewitness was willing to "risk her life" to tell the truth about Trulove — a statement the appeals court found contaminated the jury verdict and constituted prosecutorial misconduct.

Timeline

Jul 23, 2007

Seu Kuka shot and killed at Sunnydale Housing Project

Jul 23, 2007

Hours later: detectives target Trulove. Eyewitness says she "didn't get a good look." Detective asks: "Are you sure it wasn't Jamal Trulove?"

Jul 24, 2007

Detectives show manipulated photo lineup to witness. Tell her they've identified the shooter.

2010

Convicted of first-degree murder. Sentenced to 50 years to life.

2014

State appeals court overturns conviction — finds prosecutorial misconduct in closing arguments

Mar 2015

Acquitted at retrial. Jury finds him not guilty.

2016

Sues San Francisco and 10 SFPD officers for civil rights violations

2018

Federal jury awards $10 million in damages — largest verdict ever against SFPD. Finds detectives fabricated evidence.

Mar 2019

City settles appeal for $13.1 million. Board of Supervisors approves payment.

Outcome

Acquitted — Federal Jury Found Police Fabricated Evidence

$13.1 Million — Largest SFPD Settlement for Fabricated Evidence

Jamal Trulove was acquitted. A federal jury confirmed what he said all along: SFPD detectives framed him. They fabricated evidence, manipulated a witness, and ignored the real suspect.

All four officers named in the lawsuit retired. None were disciplined. The $13.1 million came from San Francisco taxpayers.

Why This Matters

A detective asked a witness who said she couldn't identify the shooter: "Are you sure it wasn't Jamal Trulove?" That single question — planted by a cop — cost a man 6 years of his life and $13.1 million of taxpayer money.

The detectives who framed him retired with full pensions. The city wrote a check. Nobody went to prison for fabricating a murder case.

When police can frame a man for murder and face zero consequences, the system isn't broken. It's working exactly as designed — just not for you.

Take Action

Demand Police Accountability

SF Police Commission: (415) 837-7070 — Demand accountability for fabricated evidence

SF Board of Supervisors: (415) 554-5184 — Ask why no officers were disciplined