MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The state will pay $25,000 to a Milwaukee man who was wrongly convicted of a homicide that was later linked to a serial killer.
William D. Avery served six years in prison before being released in 2010. He was seeking $30,000, or the maximum $5,000 per year allowed. But the Wisconsin Claims Board can only award a maximum of $25,000, although it can ask the Legislature for more.
The board also turned down claims from three others whose convictions had been overturned. Those included a claim from Forest Shomberg, who was seeking $102,500.
He served six years after being convicted of attempted sexual assault. His conviction was overturned in part based on DNA evidence. But the board ruled he didn't show "clear and convincing evidence" of his innocence.
