From .
Innocent until proven guilty is a core principle of the U.S. legal system. But what happens when you鈥檙e no longer considered guilty, but have not yet proven innocent? That鈥檚 just one factor in a complicated case in Houston.
Alfred Brown was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. The case, including the death sentence, was vacated in 2015 when evidence that supported Brown鈥檚 claim of innocence was found and reviewed. Now, Brown is seeking compensation for his wrongful conviction and the time he was imprisoned. Because he has been released, but not declared innocent, he is .
a reporter covering the story for the Houston Chronicle, says there鈥檚 a difference under the law between having a sentence vacated, and being declared innocent of a crime.
鈥淎t no point did the district attorney declare him 鈥榓ctually innocent.鈥� And that鈥檚 what鈥檚 necessary in order to trigger being able to get money under this statute,鈥� Blakinger says.
The compensation law entitles a wrongly convicted person to receive around $80,000 for each year of imprisonment, plus an annuity thereafter. In Brown鈥檚 case, that could add up to $2 million, Blakinger says.
Harris County wants Brown鈥檚 lawsuit dismissed. They claim it was not filed within the allowed timeframe, but the applicable timeline is disputed by Brown.
His attorneys say Brown鈥檚 case is an example of the county鈥檚 鈥渃onviction at any cost鈥� attitude. Blakinger says one of the prosecutors in the case is accused of pressuring witnesses to change their testimony in order to convict Brown.
Written by Shelly Brisbin.
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