Man Gets N37 Billion for Wrongful Conviction after 38 Years in Prison, Describes it as 'Welcome End'
- A California man, Maurice Hastings has been awarded $25 million (N37 billion) for wrongful conviction after spending 38 years behind bars
- Legit.ng earlier reported that in 1983, Hastings was arrested in connection with the murder of Roberta Wydermye, who was killed by a single gunshot to the head
- In a statement, Hastings reacted to the compensation he was given, saying no amount of money could ever restore the 38 years of his life that were stolen from him
Maurice Hastings, a 72-year-old California man, has been awarded $25 million (N37 billion) for spending 38 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.
Hastings was convicted of the 1983 murder and sexual assault of Roberta Wydermye and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Roberta died from a single gunshot to the head.
Source: UGC
Legit.ng earlier reported that Hastings was convicted in 1988, but a DNA test conducted later on seme'n found on a mouth swab taken from the victim showed that a different person committed the murder.
In 2023, a judge ruled that Hastings was 'factually innocent.'
A man named Kenneth Packnett was suspected of committing the crime and he died in prison in 2020, according to a Daily Mail report. He was serving a separate sentence at the time.
CNN reports that a compensation settlement for Hastings was reached in August, according to court documents made public on Monday.
While Hastings' lawyers tagged his settlement the largest settlement in state history, the septuagenarian said, “No amount of money could ever restore the 38 years of my life that were stolen from me."
He further stated:
"But this settlement is a welcome end to a very long road, and I look forward to moving on with my life.”
Source: UGC
People react to Maurice Hastings wrongful conviction
Legit.ng has compiled some reactions to Maurice Hastings wrongful conviction compensation below:
Corrine Benn said:
"No amount of money can make up for this man losing his freedom for almost four decades. I'm sure his family suffered tremendously as a result of him being locked up."
Michael Kofi Mireku said:
"Sometimes that's how God works.
"He makes you to go and rest and sleep in cells, waking up every morning doing nothing. Continuously for 38 good years. Then brings you our of prisons and tells you " hey son, I got some millions of dollars for you, just for sleeping n waking up at same space for 38 good years".
"His name is mightier and stronger, call His name and He will come. Hallelujah ✨."
Melvin Bernard said:
"Don’t get me wrong…It should be 25 million dollar 💵 per year of wrongful conviction. So, that would be a grand total of 950 million, if my math 🧮 is correct .✅ with settlement awards like this, wrongful convictions would dramatically decrease. You see it is then insurance companies that would have to pay out. These insurance would demand accountability or would not insure. Think about it. It’s all about the buck 💵."
E'mber Smallinss said:
"38 years freedom taking out of your life span should worth $100M. Time is worth more than money cos time lost can never be regained."
Man imprisoned for 48 years declared innocent
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a man who spent 48 years in prison had been declared free and was released.
The man, Glynn Simmons, was convicted in 1973 for the murder of Carolyn Sue Rogers, but he has always said he didn't do it.
At long last, in 2023, his conviction was reviewed, and the judge ruled that Gynn had been wrongly imprisoned. Glynn, who is now over 71, was apparently 23 when he was sentenced to death in 1973. The sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment in 1977.
Source: Legit.ng
