Proposed Connecticut budget includes $500,000 compensation for exoneree

James Tillman, who was exonerated last year in Connecticut after serving 18 years for a rape he didn't commit, would be compensated in a one-time payment in the governor's proposed budget.

Tillman was at the Capitol on Wednesday as Rell presented her two-year budget plan.

"While there is no way to recapture time lost to compensate for the tragedy of injustice, I firmly believe that the state owes Mr. Tillman some form of reparation," said Rell, who received a standing ovation.

She said she is proposing a tax-free lump sum payment to help Tillman re-establish his life.

"Mr. Tillman, I apologize on behalf of the state. I thank you for your grace and dignity in dealing with this injustice and I wish you well in the next chapter of your life," Rell said. "Ladies and gentlemen, you've never met a more nice, kind, gentle man than Mr. Tillman."

Tillman said he was pleased with Rell's apology and planned to discuss the amount of the proposed payment with his lawyers.

Read the full story

. (NY Newsday, 02/07/07)

• 
  Read about Tillman's case
  
  .
• 21 States have laws compensating the wrongly convicted;
  
  is yours one?
  
• The amount proposed is about $27,000 for each year James Tillman served. The federal government has set the standard at $50,000 per year in exoneree compensation. Learn more about the issue in our
  
  Fix The System
  
  section.