Compensation denied for man wrongfully incarcerated for 37 years

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A antheral who spent 37 years successful authorities situation for a rape and execution helium didn’t perpetrate is besides being barred from being compensated for his wrongful conviction.

Efforts are underway to destruct oregon bypass the alleged “clean hands” proviso that bars compensation if determination had been erstwhile convictions.

Robert Duboise, 55, has been walking the halls of the authorities Capitol, seeking compensation for 37 years helium spent down bars aft it was ruled a wrongful conviction.

Duboise has maintained his innocence the full time.

“You conscionable got to support your faith. That’s what it’s about. You’ve got to person patience. It’s casual to get successful there, but it’s hard to beryllium your Innoncence erstwhile you’re in,” said Duboise.

His occupation is that helium had antecedently been sent to situation for nonviolent felonies.

Under Florida law, anyone wrongly convicted seeking compensation indispensable person a cleanable record.

“An unthinkable story,” said State Senator Jeff Brandes.

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Brandes has filed authorities waiving the cleanable hands proviso for Duboise.

“We’ve taken a information of their lives arsenic a authorities past they should beryllium compensated for that wrongful conviction,” said Brandes.

State instrumentality sets payments for wrongful convictions astatine $50,000 a year.

In Mr. Duboise’s case, helium would suffice for $1.85 million.

This week Robert met with lawmakers, including Senate Democratic person Lauren Book.

He was describing however helium helps provender the homeless.

“So what I did was started making container lunches,” said Duboise.

“How bash you enactment truthful positive?” asked Senator Book.

“You person to,” replied Duboise.

In 2020, lawmakers waived the cleanable hands request for Jacksonville’s Clifford Williams.

If they bash the aforesaid for Duboise, he’s already got a program successful place.

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“I would get maine a house, which I’ve ne'er had, and conscionable ore connected the future. Invest, and conscionable support pushing forward,” said Duboise.

And adjacent if the wealth comes through, Duboise told america he’s going to support working.

Since his merchandise past fall, Duboise has been moving arsenic a handyman, doing tiny operation and attraction projects.

The authorities besides apologizes for the incorrect and provides Duboise with 120 hours of commercialized schoolhouse oregon assemblage escaped astatine a authorities institution.

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