Wrongfully Convicted

Wrongfully Convicted

A House judiciary panel gave its approval Tuesday to a bill that would more than double the amount of money that wrongfully convicted people could receive from the state. The measure would allow criminally convicted individuals who have been declared innocent by the governor to receive $50,000 for each year they spent behind bars. Current state law allows $20,000 per year. They would also be able to receive tuition money and job skills training.
Rep. Rick Glazier, D-Cumberland and the bill's sponsor, said boosting the payment will help erroneously convicted people make up for the time they spent behind bars. The bill now heads to the House Appropriations Committee. Gov. Mike Easley most recently pardoned Darryl Hunt, who served 18 years in prison for a rape he didn't commit. Hunt was exonerated by DNA evidence last year. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 6/24/08).