CHICAGO (AP) — A new investigation finds that the wrongful convictions of 85 people cost Illinois taxpayers $214 million since 1976.
The investigation by the Chicago-based Better
Government Association and the Center on Wrongful Convictions found the bulk of
the cost — $156 million — was settlements and judgments paid to those
exonerated.
Their study included cases of murder, sexual
assault, attempted murder and armed robbery where the person was exonerated
after 1989 when DNA was used in Illinois. Exoneration included people acquitted
after a retrial and those who had their charges dismissed or were given a
gubernatorial pardon.
Copyright
2011 The Associated Press.
