House votes $5 million compensation for innocent man jailed 18 years

Waterbury: Republican-American ^ | May 17, 2007 | Susan Haighh (A.P.)

[FreePaul]

If the people who conducted the investigation and prosecution had to pay it would be a fair decision. As it is they probably have profited from the “conviction” and are going to go free with their gains.

[Old_Mil]

If the people who conducted the investigation and prosecution had to pay it would be a fair decision.

It's a fair decision. Prosecutors act on behalf of society. We benefit when they lock up the people who deserve it, and it's only fair that we pay when they err. Another reason why, in a representative form of government that we should be exceedingly careful - and exceedingly picky - to whom we give our vote.

[SteveMcKing]

This sounds like a really bad case.

I don't weep when career criminals are wrongly sentenced... the one time they actually didn't kill somebody...

[Strategerist]

If the people who conducted the investigation and prosecution had to pay it would be a fair decision.

Basically anyone IDed as a perp by a victim in a rape case is doomed. Doesn't necessarily mean prosecutorial malfeasance, but in many cases it is - they'll subtly encourage a witness to pick SOMEBODY out of a lineup or mugbook, and then after that egg them on to become certain of their identification because they want to close the case.

Enough of the general public is completely ignorant of the fact that eyewitness testimony, given in good faith, can be horrendously wrong, that there are lots of guys like this poor guy.

[FreePaul]

...and then after that egg them on to become certain of their identification...

A lot of prosecutors have so called "victims advocates" or some other group of employees. Their job is to sit on witnesses and make sure that they tell the "right" story and don't change their testimony before or during trial.

[FreedomCalls]

Seems a bit excessive to me. I'd do 18 years in prison for a guarantee of $5 million -- that's $278,000 a year, or $23,000 a month, or $5,342 a week, or $133 an hour for a 40-hour work week or $32 an hour for every actual hour he was incarcerated. I'm sure others would too if it were offered at that rate. Our soldiers in Iraq offer their lives for a lot less after all -- though most don't do it for the money alone of course.

[Graybeard58]

Seems a bit excessive to me. I'd do 18 years in prison for a guarantee of $5 million

Amazing that you put so little value on freedom or place so much value on money.

You are right about this:

Our soldiers in Iraq offer their lives for a lot less after all -- though most don't do it for the money alone of course.

Though I doubt that any are doing it for money.

[Mr. Bird]

I'd like to know a little more here. Did the state maliciously prosecute? Did they withhold exculpatory evidence?

They're going to be fighting wrongful imprisonment lawsuits for years if they are just trying to make themselves feel better. I feel very, very bad for anyone doing time for someone else's transgression, but throwing money at the wrongly convicted could open a pandora's box. At the least, it will generate frivolous suits.

[hoosierham]

????????????????

You have provided your own answer to the question :Every man has his price,what is yours?

[Kitten Festival]

I’m ok with this.

[Kitten Festival]

But would you do 18 without the certainty you’d get it and the expectation that you’d be there forever?

I think there’s a difference in what the guy went through and the kind of wait a trust-fund baby endures.

[doug from upland]

You would go to prison for 18 years for $5 million? He wasn’t in a country club. You would give up 18 years of your life with a wife and family and friends for money? You could not give me a billion dollars to be imprisoned for 18 years.

[doug from upland]

On another ironic note, I don’t think FreedomCalls is a very appropriate screen name. Sorry to bust your chops on this, but I am amazed.

[Grizzled Bear]

If the people who conducted the investigation and prosecution had to pay it would be a fair decision. As it is they probably have profited from the “conviction” and are going to go free with their gains.

---

It’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to put somebody away, anybody, during an election year and to hell with innocence! The public loves a protector. Politicians have been doing it as long as there have been politicians! Look up McMasters Daycare Center.

The politicians never expect to get caught at it. Why do you think Nifong was in denial when the nation turned on him?

That said; I firmly believe that if someone is proven to KNOWINGLY falsely accuse or to suppress evidence that proves innocence they should be given the maximum penalty allowed for the crime accused, including death.

Please note that I stated proven to knowingly falsely accuse. I understand some people might bear an unfortunate resemblance to a criminal.

[Grizzled Bear]

The man was torn from his life and thrown into a place that you likely could not imagine.

The military enter voluntarily. I did my time in Afghanistan. I do not begrudge this man this money. However; If someone knew he was innocent I would love for them to finish his time.

[jimfree]

I'd do 18 years in prison for a guarantee of $5 million

Your comment brings to mind the Anton Chekhov short story - Wikipedia article on The Bet. I believe I read this in high school almost 40 years ago. Haven't thought of it again until now.

[wideminded]

Seems a bit excessive to me.

It's not their money.

[montag813]

Isn’t $1 million sufficient? Why five? That is taxpayers’ money.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Wow! I wouldn’t volunteer for prison for 18 years for 5 BILLION dollars. You can’t get the time back...ever!
I don’t get your comparison to those who serve our country. They do this so that we remain free. It’s not about money.