A Texas man who spent 34 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of aggravated assault was exonerated Thursday by a Dallas County judge who ruled that he is actually innocent.

The judge approved a motion by the Dallas County District Attorney’s office to dismiss the case against Benjamin Spencer, 59, who was initially convicted in 1987 of murder in the carjacking and death of Jeffrey Young.

“This day has been a long time coming. I am relieved and humbled to help correct this injustice,” said Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot.

Spencer, who has maintained his innocence, saw his 1987 conviction later overturned. He was then tried again and convicted and sentenced to life in prison for aggravated robbery of Young.

    • chiliedogg@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      Fuck that.

      Let’s look at minimum wage at the time he was imprisoned: $3.35/hour. Make that his wage the entire time he was in prison. After the first 40 hours a week he’d get OT, so it comes out to about $3,300/month. Since he wasn’t able to spend that money, let’s put a monthly payment into the market, with an average return of 7%…

      That would put him at $6,587,619.39 at the end of 37 years if we value his freedom at the 1987 minimum wage.

      That should be the opening bid from he state.

    • seang96A
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      2 months ago

      Good news sorta

      Under Texas law, he is eligible for a lump sum payment of up to $80,000 for each year he was incarcerated and an annuity, Wattley said.

      I figured Texas would tell him to gtfo