DNA clears Texas man after 30 years in prison

[Zatch]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12115208

[Kludge]

You know - he's expected to settle with the gov't for $2.4m + an annuity for life, but it really doesn't seem like it's enough for 30 years of his life taken away. His parents have died while he was in prison, and they probably secretly assumed their son was a rapist. Incredible.

Good time to look into the Innocence Project. Aside from advocating for reform, they also now use DNA evidence which wasn't thought to be available at the time to check for innocence of people who've been convicted. Over 250 people have been exonerated so far, including people on Death Row.

http://www.innocenceproject.org/

[Kregisen]

*sigh* makes you wonder how many people are still in prison for crimes they didn't commit.

[Golding]

*sigh* makes you wonder how many people are still in prison for crimes they didn't commit.Makes you wonder how many people were murdered for crimes they didn't commit. It's pretty much an indisputable argument against the death penalty.

[Hugo]

75 years for robbery. $2.4m .26 years after available DNA profiling technology. Did I mention $2.4m for 30 years?

[Golding]

75 years for robbery. $2.4m .26 years after available DNA profiling technology. Did I mention $2.4m for 30 years?$80,000 per year is probably less earnings than he would have made while free. It will be significantly less earnings after he's taxed (which in itself is a bold injustice). Saying that $2.4 million is inadequate compensation for a lifetime of false imprisonment is a no-brainer. But even superficially, it's poor compensation.

[mrsat_98]

Shite !!!!he did much better than Joe and Jerry Kane.

[RyanRSheets]

$80,000 per year is probably less earnings than he would have made while free. It will be significantly less earnings after he's taxed (which in itself is a bold injustice). Saying that $2.4 million is inadequate compensation for a lifetime of false imprisonment is a no-brainer. But even superficially, it's poor compensation.

$80,000 a year is pretty good earnings, but you can't really place a monetary value on 30 year's of someone's life. We've robbed him of so much. He will probably never know the joy of starting a family. His parents died before he could ever bring them grandchildren. Many of the people he loved are probably long gone, and his peers have already lived out their lives.

I think compensation to ensure he is able to live the rest of his life comfortably is in order, but I don't think increasing the number from an already large one is the answer. Money is not happiness, freedom is. I am certain he understands that well. We've given him back the most valuable thing he could ever possess, and I doubt he's seriously concerned with money, beyond being able to live what is left of his life.

[t0rnado]

Whenever DNA evidence clears people who have been thrown in prison, the judges and prosecutors who were involved in the case should be charged.

[buck000]

Makes you wonder how many people were murdered for crimes they didn't commit. It's pretty much an indisputable argument against the death penalty.

http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/New_Report_Shows_that_Cameron_Todd_Willingham_Exec uted_in_Texas_in_2004_Was_Innocent.php

[pcosmar]

Whenever DNA evidence clears people who have been thrown in prison, the judges and prosecutors who were involved in the case should be charged.

Yes, They should be charged.
Violation/deprivation of civil Rights under the Color of Law
http://www.familyrightsassociation.com/info/fbi/fbi_color_of_law.htm
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/civilrights/color_of_law/color-of-law

Good luck with that.
:(