Man Receives $5 Million for Rape He Didn't Commit

James C. Tillman was 26 years old when he stood accused of raping and beating a woman in Hartford, Connecticut. The victim fingered him as the attacker, and the jury swiftly convicted him. The sentence was mercifully short of a life sentence: 45 years in prison. That was 1988. Last summer, Tillman was exonerated after DNA tests showed that it was impossible for Tillman to have been the attacker.

On Wednesday, The Connecticut Legislature voted unanimously to give $5 million dollars to Tillman for imprisoning him for a rape he did not commit. Despite the length of his term, Tillman displayed a humbleness and lack of bitterness which moved the legislature to a standing ovation. Lawmakers said that they hope the $5 million dollars would be enough to allow Tillman to live the rest of his life in relative comfort.

"I think we all wonder, could we be so kind and gentle and humble as we find this person," said Democratic Rep. Kenneth Green, according to CNN. "He did not deserve to be incarcerated for 18½ years. Five million dollars is the least that we can do."

Tillman, walking with a slight limp wearing a cross necklace, said that he is still amazed by his newfound freedom. "I woke up this morning and heard the birds and it was beautiful," he said, according to theday.com. "It's just a blessing for me to be free."

Tillman's mother cried tears of joy while the legislature gave their standing ovation. The bill passed 148-0 in the House and 33-0 in the Senate. It now heads to Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who said she would be honored to sign it.

Currently, there is a bill before the Connecticut Congress that would create a panel to come up with a compensation system for those that are wrongfully accused. More than 20 states provide compensation for the wrongfully convicted.

Sources:

Associated Press, "Man imprisoned for rape he didn't commit to get $5 million." CNN
URL:
(http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/05/17/dna.exoneration.ap/index.html)

Susan Haigh, "House Approves $5M for Tillman Compensation." Theday.com
URL:
(http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=9f2eb48d-f1cd-42ce-93ac-40b9fdb9bf6b)