Florida makes amends

Jet, April 14, 2008

FLORIDA MAKES AMENDS: Alan Crotzer gives a thumbs up in the gallery of the Florida State House of Representatives in Tallahassee, following unanimous House passage of a bill regarding compensation to him for being wrongfully incarcerated. Crotzer served 24 1/2 years after being convicted of a crime he did not commit. If the state Senate approves the legislation, Crotzer will receive $1.25 million. He was freed in 2006 after DNA evidence convinced prosecutors he wasn't involved in the 1981 armed robbery and rapes that led to his 130-year prison sentence. Last year a similar compensation bill for him failed in the Senate. Gov. Charlie Crist says he supports the current bill. Crotzer, who now works for a Tallahassee plant nursery, says the money would help but "they can't give me my life back."

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