Man Wrongfully Jailed Asks Legislature For Money

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - WESH.com

A Central Florida man who served 27 years behind bars for a murder he said he didn't commit is in Tallahassee asking for the money he believes is rightfully his.

Florida law suggests that he should be able to get the cash, but there may be a legal holdup.

William Dillon was released from the Brevard County Jail a free man November 2008. He was convicted of a 1981 murder and served 27 years behind bars. But last year, a DNA test done on a key piece of evidence showed Dillon may not have committed the murder.

"This is something I thought about and dreamed about for years and years and years," Dillon said.

Under Florida's Wrongful Incarceration Act, Dillon is entitled to $1.35 million from the state Legislature. But there's a snag; the recently passed Victims of Wrongful Incarceration Act has a "clean hands" provision preventing anyone with a prior felony from being awarded compensation.

Due to a drunken driving conviction when Dillon was 19, he doesn't qualify for the money.

Dillon does have the backing of a senator and representative to support his claim to the compensation. Still, that doesn't guarantee he will ever see any money for spending 27 years behind bars for a crime he may have not committed.

According to the Innocence Project, which is a nationally known legal organization, only three of Florida's 9 people exonerated by DNA have ever received compensation.

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