Errant conviction exacerbated

Compensation for those being wrongfully convicted in Washington was passed unanimously last year. It appears our attorney general does not understand the intent of the law as passed.

Compensation was intended to help people, not further their stress and grief. The damages caused individuals while being wrongfully convicted seem to never stop. The challenges of starting over after such an event are great. The compensation act allows for wrongfully convicted persons to receive a payment for each year of being wrongfully detained, and some re-entry services.

This small amount of money and help, passed unanimously by law, is being disputed by the AG’s office in a Spokane County courtroom on Jan. 26. Let’s hope that our judges read and understand the intent of the law as passed to help and not further hurt those wrongfully convicted.

Thanks again to the Innocence Project Northwest/University of Washington School of Law for returning the lives of our kids and helping with critical reforms to our legal justice system.

Duane Statler

Spokane Valley