Wrongly Convicted Man to Get $25,000 from State

Fair

65°

More Weather

Conditions at Wausau Downtown Airport, WI

Posted: Tue 4:29 PM, Dec 28, 2010

A A

Reporter: Associated Press

Back to HomePage

Wrongly Convicted Man to Get $25,000 from State

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The Wisconsin Claims Board has agreed to pay a Milwaukee man $25,000 after he spent 23 years in prison for a homicide he didn't commit.

The board also agreed this week to ask the state Legislature to approve another $90,000 in compensation.

Robert Lee Stinson was convicted in 1985 in the death of a 63-year-old Milwaukee woman. A judge released him from prison in 2009 after new DNA evidence and fresh investigative techniques cast doubt on the evidence used to convict him.

Stinson asked the Claims Board this month for $115,000, or $5,000 for every year behind bars. State law allows for a maximum of $25,000 but says the board can ask the Legislature for more.

Stinson's attorney, Heather Donnell, says her client is "very happy" with the ruling.

Next Story >

Read Comments

All comments must adhere to the WSAW.com discussion rules.

by Bernadette Location: auburndale, Fl on Jan 13, 2011 at 11:21 PM

I don't think $1,000 YEAr is worth it. $25,000 a year. He should get $575,000 for being innocent....

[ Report Abuse ]

You have successfully replied to this comment.
by Eric Location: Naples fl on Jan 13, 2011 at 08:56 PM

Better 100 guilty go free then even one innocent spend one day behind bars for a crime then didn't commit. The burden of proof lays with the prosecutor not the defendant her is required to prove nothing or say anything

[ Report Abuse ]

You have successfully replied to this comment.
by Gerry Location: CA on Jan 13, 2011 at 03:56 PM

I have been reading with interest the many people that have been released after being "wrongly convicted". In many cases they are being released NOT because it's been proved they did not do the crime, but because of a glitch in the evidence or proscecution. Even the DNA sometimes isn't conclusive. It just throws in doubt if it's been corrupted.

[ Report Abuse ]

You have successfully replied to this comment.