Maurice Hastings, who spent 38 years in a California prison for a crime he did not commit, has received a compensation of $25 million. This marks the largest payout for wrongful incarceration in the state's history. According to The Guardian, Hastings' attorneys confirmed the news.
The man was convicted of the murder of Roberta Wydermyer in 1983, but was released in 2022 when DNA testing confirmed his innocence.
As early as 2000, he demanded a DNA test, but the results were only provided in 2021. The study showed that the sperm found on the victim's body did not belong to Maurice Hastings.
The DNA matched Kenneth Packnett, who was arrested for another case just three weeks after the murder. Although he had the victim's belongings in his possession, he was not considered a suspect. The murderer died in prison in 2020 while serving a sentence for another crime.
In 2023, the court finally exonerated Maurice Hastings and declared him innocent. The lawsuit claimed that the police and prosecution fabricated evidence against him.
Afterward, the 72-year-old man stated: 'There wasn't a lot of money, but none can return the 38 years of life stolen from me in prison.' His attorney, Nick Brustin, emphasized that this compensation should serve as an example for law enforcement across the country. The settlement was made in August, but became known to the public only at the end of September.
After 38 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, Maurice Hastings received a record compensation of $25 million. His innocence release highlighted the issue of systemic errors in the U.S. justice system and the importance of protecting human rights. It should be noted that such cases are not exceptions, and compensations for wrongful incarceration are increasingly drawing the attention of the public and legislators.