NYC to pay $6.25 million to man cleared in 1989 killing

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

NYC to pay $6.25 million to man cleared in 1989 killing
By JENNIFER PELTZ, Associated Press | June 23, 2015 | Updated: June 23, 2015 3:44pm


[font size=1]
Photo By Bebeto Matthews/AP

With the help of his daughter-in-law Camillia Stewart, left, Jonathan Fleming learns to use a
cellphone, Friday April 18, 2014 in New York. Fleming was exonerated of murder after almost
25 years behind bars and cleared of a killing that happened when he was 1,100 miles away on
a Disney World vacation.

The weeks since his release have been a mix of emotional highs and practical frustrations.
"Coming back, you know, it's been hard... It's a lot to have to catch up on."
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NEW YORK (AP) — New York City has agreed to pay $6.25 million to a man who spent nearly 25 years in prison before being exonerated in a killing that happened while he was more than 1,000 miles away vacationing at Disney World, the city comptroller said Tuesday.

Comptroller Scott Stringer said settling Jonathan Fleming's claim is "in the best interest of all parties."

"We cannot give back the time that he served, but the city of New York can offer Jonathan Fleming this compensation for the injustice that was committed against him," Stringer said.

Fleming was released last year after the Brooklyn district attorney's office said it had come to agree that his alibi — which he offered from the start — was valid.


Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/NYC-to-pay-6-25-million-to-man-cleared-in-1989-6344588.php

[tymorial]

1. Its not enough

[Xipe Totec]

4. Not even nearly. ++ nt

[olddad56]

6. there never could be an adequate compensation having to rot in prison for something you didn't do.

That being said, while the penal system being what it is, he is very fortunate to have ever gotten out, and he is fortunate to be coming in to $6.5 million. Be even better if the city of NY paid the taxes on the money. I hope that this man can make the best of what is left of his life.

[rpannier]

2. Make everyone involved in this tragedy

pony up a % of that 6+ million
They also should be go to jail

Authorities had never given his defense that receipt or a 1989 Orlando police letter telling New York detectives that some employees at the hotel remembered Fleming.

[passiveporcupine]

3. stories like this just break my heart

We can never replace what these victims have lost.

[gregcrawford]

5. And the POS prosecutor...

... that railroaded him just to pad his conviction rate will not even get a reprimand. It pays to be a minion of evil.

[EL34x4]

7. They need to review every conviction this prosecutor had a part in

How many other innocent men and women are still rotting in prison?

How many others have since been released but struggle to find good jobs with felonies on their records?