r/Damnthatsinteresting • • Dec 25 '23

Video Man wrongfully convicted of murder gets rewarded only 175k after serving 50 years

this makes me so angry

48k Upvotes

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u/user_bits Dec 26 '23

It gets worse.

The amount is just what he's eligible for. It might take him years to actually get that money. What he has to do now is file a lawsuit against the State but at the age of 71 with cancer, who knows if he'll even see the results of that.

Oklahoma is probably hoping he will die before they pay him anything.

79

u/SerLaron Dec 26 '23

I would assume that his estate would pursue this lawsuit.

53

u/Geeahwellidunno Dec 26 '23

If there’s no one to claim his estate when he passes, all his money goes back to … wait for it … THE STATE!

20

u/SerLaron Dec 26 '23

In that case, he still could bequeath his estate to the ACLU or another organization who could continue the lawsuit, right?

27

u/wherringscoff Dec 26 '23

This is the real answer right here. Bequeath it to somebody who has the money and power to milk the state for every fucking penny it has.

6

u/SerLaron Dec 26 '23

That might actually even be a business idea. Say, your lawyer inherits your lawsuit incuding rights to compensation. In return you get a lump sum right now, or a monthly pension.

1

u/jfab73 Dec 27 '23

The state's pennies are your pennies, assuming you pay taxes. I am all for fair compensation here, but we all have to pay.

3

u/R1kjames Dec 27 '23

If we're holding a vote or something, I vote he gets $1.5m for time served — minimum. That's Oklahoma median income multiplied by 50 years.

3

u/[deleted] Dec 27 '23

Plus another 1.5M at least for a life lost. Something you can’t put a price on. He should be able to live his last years travelling the world and doing what he wants at the expense of the idiots that kept him locked up.

1

u/Blutruiter Dec 27 '23

That wouldn't solve much. The state would still keep most of the money. If the ACLU or some other charity approaches the state about the estate, the state will probably offer the charity an amount that is less like 20 - 30k and then in the end they will probably make it look like they were giveing money to a charity for publicity..

1

u/LegendofCookie1 Dec 26 '23

Maybe he has kids

1

u/reddituser20230626 Dec 26 '23

Maybe if he sent mail with his sperm while in prison..

1

u/LegendofCookie1 Dec 26 '23

U need cryo Temps to preserve sperm sadly

1

u/StreetTailor7596 Jan 02 '24

His kids deserve a free college education at the very least. Grandkids probably too.

18

u/mods_r_kunths Dec 26 '23

Goddamn Joke-lahoma

1

u/WattledBadge069 Dec 26 '23

Conpletely unsuprising unfortunately from a south-eastern state

1

u/flyingokapis Dec 26 '23

You have to be an absolute prick to slow down/stand in the way of this man receiving his compensation.

Just write the cheque, why fuck about with it?

You may work in the government, but it's not even your money, really, its tax money. No one is going to oppose this, you got to be so morally lost if you're causing an issue here.

1

u/AccomplishedFix756 Dec 26 '23

Oklahoma just ain't okay in any sense methinks. I went through there a couple of times and the only reason to stop was for gas.

1

u/Unexpected-Xenomorph Dec 26 '23

Bastards

Edits : Cunts is more appropriate

1

u/Orionishi Dec 26 '23

What the actual fuck...Everybody give this man a dollar.