Estate of Ex-Inmate Injured in ’71 Attica Rioting Gets $164,609

The estate of a former Attica prison inmate has won $164,609 for an injury he received when police shot him during the prison uprising 20 years ago this month.

Peter Tarallo, who died in 1984, was the last of 14 inmates to have his case heard by the state Court of Claims. The court ruled in 11 cases, including Tarallo’s, that the state used excessive force in retaking the prison.

Tarallo, who was 45 and serving time for robbery when inmates took over the prison on Sept. 9, 1971, was shot when police stormed the prison four days later. The wound left him impotent, witnesses testified.

Chief Judge Donald Corbett issued a ruling this week that said the wound diminished Tarallo’s quality of life.

Three inmates and one guard died at the hands of the rioting prisoners. When police and corrections officers retook control, 29 inmates and 10 prison employees who were being held as hostages were killed.