By Steve Chapman
Originally published August 21, 2006
CHICAGO // Michael Evans won an Illinois lottery. A couple of years ago, the state presented him with a check for $162,000. But forgive him if he's not as grateful as most Lotto winners. His payout didn't come to him because he selected some winning numbers. It came because he spent 27 years in prison for a rape and murder committed by someone else. That amount of money wouldn't be a bad return on a $2 wager. But for the time he spent behind bars, it comes to about $6,000 a year. He could have made more working for the minimum wage.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.chapman21aug21,1,2073288.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

One has to wonder: what is a fair price for 27 years of someone's life?

Obviously $162,000 is far too low. At the very least, he should never have to worry about money for the rest of his life, and these days, that amount won't do it.

I have long believed (and stated on other threads) that compensation to wrongly convicted defendants should be taken out of the salaries of the prosecutors and judges who sent them to prison in the first place. Probably not practical, but an unscrupulous prosecutor in particular should be left penniless after his or her efforts have led to a situation such as this.

Don't the pro-Death Penalty folk love to chant "eye for an eye", after all? It ought to work both ways.

Hi Dave,

I agree that the amount that Michael was paid, was way too low!! I personally believe that no amount of money is going to make up for the time that he has had to spend on Death Row. I do like your idea of having others compensate!! That might make them consider very carefully before taking on a DP case!!

I have long believed (and stated on other threads) that compensation to wrongly convicted defendants should be taken out of the salaries of the prosecutors and judges who sent them to prison in the first place. Probably not practical, but an unscrupulous prosecutor in particular should be left penniless after his or her efforts have led to a situation such as this.

Don't the pro-Death Penalty folk love to chant "eye for an eye", after all? It ought to work both ways.

I am Pro DP and I agree with you regarding this matter. I also think that a prosecutor/investigator/judge SHOULD be able to be prosecuted themselves if it is found that they KNOWINGLY withheld evidence, tampered with witnesses' etc.

One of my friends just received over a million dollars after he was wrongfully incarcerated for 7 yrs, but if you break that down, after lawyers are paid, it's really not a whole lot to try and get your life back.

I agree. If a person knowingly altered evidence or committed perjury then they should be tried and punished accordingly.

I agree he didn't get anything, no one can ever give him back all that time, no amount money can compensate for that time lost. But they should at least see that he gets enough money to live on for the rest of his life.

you ask me......there's no monetary reimbursement for being incarcerated for 27 years and you're innocent......in my not so humble opinion lol i believe that if a wrongful conviction is because of police judicial or prosecutorial misconduct......they should automatically get 1 million for every year incarcerated.....if we make mistakes we have to pay financially and with prison time......why shouldn't they ? especially if it's intentionally done or gross violations of the criminal's rights......i'm pretty sure if these reforms are implemented the rates of wrongful convictions would drop

It raises that classic question: "who guards the guards?"

I agree that if they KNOWINGLY withheld evidence... A lot of prosecutors don't, however. They can only work with what they're given. They shouldn't be held liable for a guilty verdict if they weren't aware of whatever might have exonerated someone...

Ohio has a really bad record I'm coming to realize. And I think that over-zealous prosecutors who go after defendants regardless of the lack of evidence deserve time in prison. BIG time,not a few years. And I am against the dp, but for judges and prosecutors who do this to innocent people, I think I could change my mind.

I'd also like to see some teeth in the ethics regulations to which every attorney subscribes. If someone goes to prison because s/he slept through the trial, couldn't be bothered to question witnesses, or failed to investigate the case at all, that attorney should be held liable as well if the person is eventually exonerated.

That might sharpen public defenders up nicely as a side effect.

Actually, don't point the finger at Ohio so quickly. At least when speaking of DP cases, FL & IL are at the top by a long shot.
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/article.php?did=412&scid=6#inn-st

What a horrible injustice. I can't believe that was all his reimbursement. What about his pain and suffering? Emotional damage? Lost wages? The list goes on. That man should not have to lift a finger again for the rest of his life.

One has to wonder: what is a fair price for 27 years of someone's life?

Obviously $162,000 is far too low. At the very least, he should never have to worry about money for the rest of his life, and these days, that amount won't do it.

I have long believed (and stated on other threads) that compensation to wrongly convicted defendants should be taken out of the salaries of the prosecutors and judges who sent them to prison in the first place. Probably not practical, but an unscrupulous prosecutor in particular should be left penniless after his or her efforts have led to a situation such as this.

Don't the pro-Death Penalty folk love to chant "eye for an eye", after all? It ought to work both ways.

I am a wowie but I have always been a fierce campaigner for prisoner's rights and inmate welfare.

In my opinion where a wrongful conviction takes place, the judge, jury, prosecutor and witnesses who gave false testimony should themselves be put in prison. I agree with Dave's suggestion about taking money out of their wages too.

If an innocent person is wrongfully executed those responsible ought to be sentenced for manslaughter IMHO.

Add 2 zeros to the end of that number and we have a winner!

By Steve Chapman
Originally published August 21, 2006
CHICAGO // Michael Evans won an Illinois lottery. A couple of years ago, the state presented him with a check for $162,000. But forgive him if he's not as grateful as most Lotto winners. His payout didn't come to him because he selected some winning numbers. It came because he spent 27 years in prison for a rape and murder committed by someone else. That amount of money wouldn't be a bad return on a $2 wager. But for the time he spent behind bars, it comes to about $6,000 a year. He could have made more working for the minimum wage.