Comptroller Pays Anthony Graves $1.4 Million

by Brandi Grissom
June 30, 2011
16 Comments

Anthony Graves got a check for $1.45 million today from Texas Comptroller Susan Combs, money the state owed him for keeping him behind bars nearly two decades for a crime he did not commit. In addition to today's payment, Graves will receive monthly annuity checks starting next year.

Graves was convicted in 1994 of murder based largely on the testimony of Robert Carter, who later recanted his story and said Graves was innocent. He was freed in October when a Burleson County special prosecutor dropped the charges against Graves for lack of evidence.

But the order releasing Graves ...

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Comments (16)

June 30, 2011 @ 3:33 p.m.

Rob Turk via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Way to go, inept prosecutors and legal system - you cost this man two decades of his life and you cost the taxpayers of this state $1.45 million. You suck.
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June 30, 2011 @ 3:37 p.m.

Emma Beto via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Not an inept prosecutor - the prosecutor knew exactly what he was doing.
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June 30, 2011 @ 3:53 p.m.

Enedelia Obregon via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Good thing he was not on death row. He'd probably be dead.
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June 30, 2011 @ 3:57 p.m.

Mac Mcclure via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Is the $1.45 million before or after taxes?
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June 30, 2011 @ 4:09 p.m.

Rhonda Loving via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Praise GOD that he was given SOME recompense for what he deserves but not nearly enough for 20 yrs in the HELL HOLE (WHOLE) OF TDCJ! I guarantee ya there are more than just this 1 who was wrongly convicted that God will exonerate! IT is past time, for an overhaul of the Justice system in Texas from the bottom to the top! #InnocenceProject,Inc.
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June 30, 2011 @ 4:09 p.m.

Susan Inez Aulds via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Will the state now seek reimbursement from the prosecutors who railroaded him. If that were the law we'd probably have a lo fewer innocent people in jail.
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June 30, 2011 @ 4:11 p.m.

Bill Thomas

Actually, he probably received a warrant rather than a check. The Comptroller's Department uses warrants which are legally distinct from checks.
June 30, 2011 @ 4:16 p.m.

Tommy Narde via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Pay up suckas ... ;0) GOD BLESS YOU ANTHONY G.
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June 30, 2011 @ 4:38 p.m.

Keith Kritselis via Texas Tribune on Facebook

he was on death row... if you get a chance to hear his story, it's worth the time.
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June 30, 2011 @ 4:53 p.m.

Jose B. Gonzalez via Texas Tribune on Facebook

A prosecutor should be able to do their jobs - period... But if the prosecutor in this man's trial was overly aggressive, or if there is now ANY kind of evidence that there was misconduct or capricious prosecution - they should be held accountable... They should at a MINIMUM - be taken before a grand jury so they can weigh the evidence... Some prosecutors are only out to make a name for themselves, with legal protection/immunity behind them they can prosecute almost any case they wish... EVEN A WEAK ONE...
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June 30, 2011 @ 8:39 p.m.

Rhonda Loving via Texas Tribune on Facebook

@Jose B. Gonzalez - more often than not Prosecutors push for plea bargains to have a good conviction ratio on their record for political advancement. They (the preoscutors) say they do plea bargains to save the State $$$ but it is at the cost of Justice if you don't have the $$$ for a private attorney.
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July 1, 2011 @ 12:02 a.m.

Joey Dauben

If the prosecutors in this case and other cases in which the most dastardly examples exist of wrongfully imprisoned escape punishment in this life, I'm confident they will get what is surely coming in the next.

Granted, I only served 12 days for publishing a mug shot of an arrested cop on my Web site, The Ellis County Observer, but thank God it was "only" 12 days and not 12 years. (Google my name to know more!)

Thank God for Anthony Graves. Thank God Almighty, man. Inspiration to those who are still in there knowing damn well they are innocent. Not everyone locked up is, but there are many.
July 1, 2011 @ 9:53 a.m.

Michael Peterson

Well, I'm glad to see the great state of Texas step up and assume responsibility for this error. Being imprisoned for a crime you didn't commit must really make you feel helpless and cheated, not to mention having others see you as a violent offender. Congratulations to Anthony for his release (and payday) and kudos to the great state of Texas for taking responsibility for it's error.
July 1, 2011 @ 1:36 p.m.

BayouCrier Comment

Is it a proven fact that Mr. Graves did not commit the crime? Or did Mr. Carter lie about Mr. Graves innocence just like he lied about his guilt.
Was Mr. Graves released for lack of evidence, since the Mr. Carter, the eye witness died. Or, is there some new revelation that exonerates Mr. Graves?
How did Mr. Graves get involved in the first place? Was he hundreds of miles away and did not even know the victims? Too many unanswered questions from the news report.
Is the investigative report available to the public?
July 1, 2011 @ 1:43 p.m.

Brandi Grissom

BayouCrier - The charges against Graves were dropped because, in addition to Carter's recantation, there was no evidence connecting him to the crime. Please take the time to read this terrific piece in Texas Monthly that explains exactly what happened to Graves: http://www.texasmonthly.com/2010-10-01/feature2.php.
July 2, 2011 @ 5:11 p.m.

Annette Bryant

Does his $1.4 million now have to be given to his ex for back child support!