Texas has paid 89 exonerees nearly $61 million since 1992, according to data from the Texas comptroller's office, and the cost of wrongful imprisonments continues to rise. Just last week, Randolph Arledge was released from prison after his 1984 murder conviction was overturned because of new DNA evidence. If he is paid for each of the 28 years he was incarcerated, Arledge's exoneration could significantly add to that total. He could receive more than $2.2 million in a lump sum, plus an annuity worth a similar amount.
The Tim Cole Act provides Texas exonerees with the most generous compensation package in the nation. How much exonerated prisoners receive depends largely on when they were released and when they applied for compensation. Changes in the law over the last decade have created different payouts, according to reimbursement data The Texas Tribune obtained under state public information laws, leaving some prisoners who were released earlier feeling doubly wronged.
The most recent exoneree to receive a payment from the state was David Lee Wiggins, who served more than 24 years for rape. He was pardoned Sept. 12, 2012 and received more than $1.9 million. Exoneree Cornelius Dupree has received the largest lump sum payment, more than $2.4 million for the 30 years he spent imprisoned for an aggravated robbery he didn't commit.
Use the graph below to see how much money the state has paid to exonerated prisoners by fiscal year. Use the table to see how much each exoneree has received as a lump sum and in an annuity, the date each was exonerated, what they were accused of and how many days they spent in prison.
Name | Lump Sum | Annuity | Date of Court Order | Reason | Time Incarcerated | Days Incarcerated |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dupree, Cornelius | $2,472,083.33 | $13,861.07 | 3/2/2011 | Aggravated robbery | 30 years, 7 months, 22 days | 11,182 |
Woodard, James Lee | $2,186,666.67 | $13,615.94 | 9/30/2009 | Murder | 27 years, 3 months, 28 days | 9,973 |
Green, Michael Anthony | $2,186,666.67 | $11,378.30 | 10/20/2010 | Aggravated rape | 27 years, 3 months, 5 days | 9,950 |
Chatman, Charles Allen | $2,160,000.00 | $11,720.22 | 1/23/2008 | Aggravated Rape | 26 years, 11 months, 6 days | 9,826 |
Pinchback, Johnny Louis | $2,131,427.51 | $12,680.92 | 6/8/2011 | Aggravated sexual assault | 26 years, 7 months, 11 days | 9,711 |
Allen, Billy Frederick | $2,073,333.33 | 3/5/2009 | Murder | 25 years, 10 months, 14 days | 9,439 | |
Phillips, Steven Charles | $2,069,166.67 | $11,601.90 | 10/1/2008 | Aggravated sexual abuse, indecency with child, burglary of habitation | 25 years, 0 months, 4 days | 9,129 |
Morton, Michael | $1,973,333.33 | $12,287.55 | 10/12/2011 | Murder | 24 years, 7 months, 25 days | 8,995 |
Wiggins, David Lee | $1,933,333.33 | $0.00 | 9/12/2012 | Aggravated sexual assault | 24 years, 2 months, 0 days | 8,820 |
McGowan, Thomas Clifford | $1,826,666.67 | $10,242.20 | 6/11/2008 | Aggravated sexual assault and Burglary of a habitation | 22 years, 9 months, 7 days | 8,307 |
Evans, Jerry Lee | $1,820,000.00 | $9,729.69 | 10/21/2009 | Aggravated sexual assault | 22 years, 8 months, 6 days | 8,276 |
Jackson, Raymond | $1,863,333.33 | 6/20/2012 | Aggravated sexual assault | 22 years, 7 months, 25 days | 8,265 | |
Miller, Billy Wayne | $500,000.00 | $11,022.69 | 12/12/2006 | Aggravated sexual assault | 22 years, 7 months, 17 days | 8,257 |
Williams, James | $1,758,333.33 | 6/20/2012 | Aggravated sexual assault | 21 years, 7 months, 5 days | 7,880 | |
Fuller, Larry Charles | $1,752,811.03 | $11,517.48 | 1/11/2007 | Aggravated rape | 19 years, 11 months, 6 days | 7,271 |
Smith, Billy James | $1,593,333.34 | $9,921.37 | 6/15/2005 | Aggravated sexual assault | 19 years, 10 months, 30 days | 7,265 |
Graves, Anthony | $1,457,828.79 | $7,597.09 | 10/27/2010 | Capital Murder | 18 years, 2 months, 4 days | 6,634 |
Mumphrey, Arthur Merle | $452,083.33 | $7,787.89 | 3/17/2006 | Aggravated sexual assault | 18 years, 0 months, 11 days | 6,581 |
Lindsey, Johnnie Eael | $1,820,000.00 | $11,332.78 | 4/24/2009 | Aggravated rape | 17 years, 11 months, 2 days | 6,537 |
Wallis, Gregory Wayne | $1,426,667.00 | $7,864.92 | 2/5/2007 | Burglary of a habitation | 17 years, 9 months, 20 days | 6,495 |
Lavernia, Carlos M. | $435,416.65 | $8,904.06 | 11/29/2000 | Aggravated sexual abuse | 17 years, 4 months, 27 days | 6,352 |
Willis, Ernest Ray | $429,166.66 | $9,965.05 | 10/5/2004 | Capital Murder | 17 years, 1 months, 11 days | 6,246 |
Waller, Patrick Leondon | $1,300,000.00 | $6,347.43 | 7/3/2008 | Aggravated robbery and Aggravated kidnapping | 16 years, 2 months, 24 days | 5,924 |
Thomas, Victor Larue | $391,666.64 | $6,909.37 | 4/17/2002 | Aggravated sexual assault / kidnapping | 15 years, 7 months, 6 days | 5,691 |
Fountain, Wiley Edward | $387,499.98 | $8,102.94 | 3/18/2003 | Aggravated sexual assault | 15 years, 5 months, 19 days | 5,644 |
Miles, Richard | $1,233,333.33 | 2/15/2012 | Murder and attempted murder | 15 years, 4 months, 26 days | 5,621 | |
Pope, David Shawn | $385,416.65 | $6,593.38 | 2/2/2001 | Aggravated sexual assault | 15 years, 4 months, 20 days | 5,615 |
Hall, Tony | $1,260,416.67 | $6,478.48 | 2/16/2011 | Aggravated sexual assault of a child | 15 years, 0 months, 0 days | 5,475 |
Washington, Calvin Edward | $374,999.96 | 9/10/2001 | Capital Murder | 14 years, 11 months, 4 days | 5,444 | |
Duke, Dale | $1,146,666.67 | 3/28/2012 | Aggravated sexual assault | 14 years, 3 months, 10 days | 5,210 | |
Taylor, Ron Gene | $1,140,000.00 | $6,185.67 | 6/13/2008 | Aggravated sexual assault | 14 years, 2 months, 6 days | 5,176 |
Cole, Tim | $1,060,000.00 | 3/1/2010 | Aggravated sexual assault | 13 years, 2 months, 21 days | 4,826 | |
Scott, Christopher Shun | $886,666.67 | $4,915.19 | 3/3/2010 | Capital Murder | 12 years, 6 months, 17 days | 4,577 |
Simmons, Claude Alvin | $1,000,000.00 | $5,944.18 | 3/3/2010 | Capital Murder | 12 years, 6 months, 0 days | 4,560 |
Harvey, John Michael | $608,333.34 | $5,002.88 | 12/8/2004 | Aggravated sexual assault of a child | 12 years, 1 months, 13 days | 4,423 |
Webb, Mark Amos | $289,583.31 | 3/20/2002 | Aggravated sexual assault | 11 years, 6 months, 24 days | 4,219 | |
Thompson, Stephen Craig | $289,583.31 | $5,212.16 | 1/12/2005 | Aggravated sexual assault of a child | 11 years, 6 months, 13 days | 4,208 |
Waller, James Douglas | $1,209,166.67 | $7,039.32 | 3/9/2007 | Aggravated sexual abuse | 10 years, 11 months, 12 days | 3,992 |
Sturgeon, Richard Glen | $853,333.33 | 5/12/2009 | Aggravated Robbery | 10 years, 7 months, 25 days | 3,885 | |
Giles, James Curtis | $1,164,583.33 | $6,922.50 | 6/20/2007 | Aggravated Rape | 10 years, 0 months, 0 days | 3,650 |
Robinson, Anthony Todd | $245,833.30 | $4,751.24 | 11/14/2000 | Aggravated sexual assault | 9 years, 9 months, 25 days | 3,580 |
Harbin, Philip Alan | $733,333.33 | $3,815.89 | 2/4/2009 | Failure to register as a sex offender | 9 years, 1 months, 11 days | 3,326 |
Brodie, Steven Matthew | $877,546.98 | $4,298.75 | 11/10/2010 | Aggravated sexual assault of a child | 8 years, 6 months, 18 days | 3,118 |
Washington, Darryl | $653,333.33 | 5/23/2012 | Aggravated Robbery | 8 years, 1 months, 2 days | 2,952 | |
Porter, Allen Wayne | $613,333.33 | $3,022.00 | 12/8/2010 | Aggravated sexual assault | 7 years, 7 months, 24 days | 2,789 |
Gossett, Andrew William | $375,000.00 | 3/21/2007 | Aggravated sexual assault | 7 years, 5 months, 15 days | 2,720 | |
Barbosa, Mary Ann | $370,833.33 | $5,208.99 | 12/5/2005 | Aggravated sexual abuse | 7 years, 4 months, 12 days | 2,687 |
Amezquita, Gilbert | $333,333.33 | $2,475.16 | 8/17/2007 | Aggravated assault | 6 years, 7 months, 26 days | 2,426 |
Karage, Entre Nax | $158,333.32 | $2,496.43 | 12/22/2005 | Murder | 6 years, 3 months, 20 days | 2,300 |
Rachell, Ricardo | $493,333.33 | $2,816.76 | 2/9/2009 | Aggravated sexual assault | 6 years, 1 months, 19 days | 2,239 |
Settle, Daniel Roy | $540,416.67 | 6/29/2011 | Delivery of controlled substance | 5 years, 6 months, 18 days | 2,023 | |
Criner, Roy Wayne | $130,208.33 | $2,201.73 | 8/15/2000 | Aggravated sexual assault | 5 years, 4 months, 17 days | 1,962 |
Robertson, Shakara | $400,000.00 | 5/23/2012 | Aggravated robbery | 5 years, 1 months, 0 days | 1,855 | |
Sutton, Josiah Elijah | $118,749.97 | $1,726.56 | 5/14/2004 | Aggravated sexual assault | 4 years, 8 months, 30 days | 1,730 |
Love, William Cash | $106,249.99 | 8/22/2003 | Delivery of controlled substance | 4 years, 2 months, 9 days | 1,529 | |
White, Kizzy Rashawn | $99,999.96 | $1,461.04 | 8/22/2003 | Delivery of controlled substance | 3 years, 11 months, 24 days | 1,449 |
White, Kareem Abdul | $135,772.74 | $1,503.78 | 8/22/2003 | Delivery of controlled substance | 3 years, 11 months, 22 days | 1,447 |
Allen, Dennis Mitchell | $97,916.63 | $1,592.02 | 8/22/2003 | Delivery of controlled substance | 3 years, 10 months, 24 days | 1,419 |
Hall, Willie B. Jr. | $97,916.63 | $1,675.08 | 8/22/2003 | Delivery of controlled substance | 3 years, 10 months, 24 days | 1,419 |
Jackson, Christopher Eugene | $97,916.63 | $1,516.85 | 8/22/2003 | Delivery of controlled substance | 3 years, 10 months, 24 days | 1,419 |
Moore, Joe Welton | $97,916.63 | 8/22/2003 | Delivery of controlled substance | 3 years, 10 months, 24 days | 1,419 | |
Williams, Jason Jerome | $97,916.63 | $1,454.16 | 8/22/2003 | Delivery of controlled substance | 3 years, 10 months, 24 days | 1,419 |
Brookins, Freddie Wesley | $83,333.32 | $1,245.12 | 8/22/2003 | Delivery of controlled substance | 3 years, 4 months, 0 days | 1,215 |
Turner, Keith Edward | $81,249.99 | $3,584.04 | 12/22/2005 | Rape | 3 years, 2 months, 6 days | 1,161 |
Barber, Jason Glenn | $77,083.33 | $1,167.08 | 4/17/2002 | Murder | 3 years, 0 months, 17 days | 1,112 |
Mata, Laura Ann | $70,833.30 | $1,200.26 | 8/22/2003 | Delivery of controlled substance | 2 years, 9 months, 6 days | 1,006 |
Williams, Alberta Stell | $68,833.30 | 8/22/2003 | Delivery of controlled substance | 2 years, 9 months, 5 days | 1,005 | |
Fields, Hilliard Eugene | $459,583.33 | $2,264.45 | 9/14/2011 | Sexual assault | 2 years, 8 months, 8 days | 978 |
Smith, Yolanda Yvonne | $64,583.31 | $953.63 | 8/22/2003 | Delivery of controlled substance | 2 years, 6 months, 29 days | 939 |
Montgomery, Patrick Logan | $564,583.33 | $3,286.80 | 11/24/2008 | Indecency with a child | 2 years, 5 months, 19 days | 899 |
Contee, Darien | $214,583.33 | $1,015.28 | 8/5/2010 | Possession of a Firearm | 2 years, 5 months, 15 days | 895 |
White, Michelle | $62,499.98 | $960.41 | 8/22/2003 | Delivery of controlled substance | 2 years, 5 months, 13 days | 893 |
Williams, Joe Sidney | $31,249.99 | 2/21/2002 | Capital Murder | 2 years, 5 months, 1 days | 881 | |
Ward, Nathaniel | $58,333.32 | 10/29/2001 | Aggravated robbery | 2 years, 3 months, 6 days | 826 | |
McCray, Vincent Dwight | $54,166.66 | $926.64 | 8/22/2003 | Delivery of controlled substance | 2 years, 1 months, 6 days | 766 |
Benard, Troy | $52,083.33 | 8/22/2003 | Delivery of controlled substance | 2 years, 0 months, 6 days | 736 | |
Henton, Eugene Ivory | $83,333.34 | $1,036.62 | 2/15/2006 | Sexual assault | 1 years, 7 months, 10 days | 585 |
Kelly, Denise Demeterise | $37,499.98 | 8/22/2003 | Delivery of controlled substance | 1 years, 5 months, 24 days | 539 | |
Fry, Jason Paul | $37,499.98 | 8/22/2003 | Delivery of controlled substance | 1 years, 5 months, 12 days | 527 | |
Wilson, Willa Finaye | $16,666.64 | $246.10 | 8/22/2003 | Delivery of controlled substance | 0 years, 7 months, 21 days | 231 |
Kelly, Eliga Sr. | $14,583.31 | $429.79 | 8/22/2003 | Delivery of controlled substance | 0 years, 6 months, 28 days | 208 |
Fredrick, Sherrie | $40,000.00 | 9/28/2011 | Possession of Controlled Susbstance | 0 years, 5 months, 28 days | 178 | |
Shelton, Joseph Dean | $6,249.99 | $404.27 | 8/13/2003 | Failure to register as a sex offender | 0 years, 3 months, 0 days | 90 |