Exonerated Man Gets $5 Million From Connecticut
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
HARTFORD, Conn. — The Connecticut legislature voted unanimously to give $5 million to a man imprisoned for more than 18 years for a rape he didn’t commit, then gave him a standing ovation.
Moved by James Tillman’s humbleness and lack of bitterness, lawmakers said they hoped the money will let him live the rest of his life in relative comfort.
The bill passed 148–0 in the House and 33–0 in the Senate Wednesday. It now heads to Governor Rell, who said she would be honored to sign it.
“I think we all wonder, could we be so kind and gentle and humble as we find this person,” said Rep. Kenneth Green, a Democrat of Hartford. “He did not deserve to be incarcerated for 18 years. Five million dollars is the least that we can do.”
