Milwaukee to pay $6.5 million to man wrongly convicted of murder

[Little Tich]

Source: Yahoo! News / Reuters

MILWAUKEE (Reuters) - A man, who spent 13 years in prison before DNA tests exonerated him of the murder of a teenage runaway, will receive $6.5 million from Milwaukee under an agreement approved on Tuesday unanimously by city lawmakers.

Chaunte Ott, 41, was wrongly accused of killing 16-year-old Jessica Payne in Milwaukee in 1995, authorities said, adding they now believe Payne was the victim of a serial killer who died in prison.

"We're appreciative that the case reached a fair resolution and that Mr. Ott can move on with his life," Ott's attorney Jon Loevy said.

Ott was convicted in 1996 of first-degree homicide and sentenced to life in prison after two men testified they were with him when he raped Payne and slashed her throat after trying to rob her, court documents showed.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/milwaukee-pay-6-5-million-man-wrongly-convicted-221354289.html

[bluestateguy]

1. Please tell me that money will be tax free

The lawyer will take his cut--which is understandable--but it would be an outrage if the same government that jailed him wrongfully were to take a chunk of his money.

[okaawhatever]

2. This is what, the 5th person charged with murder found not guilty this month? nt

[Demeter]

3. It's past time, and past due

What ever happened to that notion: better to let 100 criminals go free, than to imprison one innocent?

[rhett o rick]

4. Those responsible for this tragedy get away scott free while taxpayers pick up the tab. nm

[DFW]

5. Those who lied to put him in prison for 13 years

They should spend at least 13 years in prison themselves, and then spend the rest of their lives working for the city of Milwaukee to help pay for the money they rightfully paid to this guy. And though I'm thrilled he'll get something, NO amount of money can compensate for the years from age 28 to age 41 being stolen away from someone.