Albert Wilson files wrongful conviction lawsuit 4 months after rape case is dismissed
Albert N. Wilson, now 26 years old, was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison after a Douglas County jury found him guilty of rape in January 2019. The case made headlines across the country because people many believed that Wilson, a young Black man, was wrongly convicted by a jury of mostly white women, symptomatic of larger issues of systemic racism. His conviction was overturned in March 2021.
The lawsuit seeks monetary relief allowed under the state’s wrongful conviction law, which is $65,000 per year of imprisonment. Exonerees can also receive “not less than $25,000” per year wrongfully served on parole, probation or required to register as an offender, according to the statute. Wilson became a registered sex offender since Feb. 22, 2019.
He should take the system for as much money as he can. The years he lost cannot be repaid.
Good for him, making them pay is the beginning of getting some attention looking into how easy it is to convict the truly innocent.
I am doubtful this will change the mind of a single politician in Kansas. It is not enough money to make their voters sit up and take notice.
Prejudice runs deep. I think it played a part in our case.