Richmond Times-Disp – McDonnell signs bill giving $1 million to Haynesworth

Credit: Haynesworth

Gov. Bob McDonnell has signed legislation providing more than $1 million in compensation for Thomas E. Haynesworth, who served 27 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted in connection with rapes in the 1980s.

Senate Bill 41 provides $1,075,178 to Haynesworth, who was released from prison in March 2011 after DNA evidence exonerated him in a series of attacks in Richmond and Henrico County. He has since been declared innocent by the Virginia Court of Appeals.

Reached Thursday, Haynesworth said that he was content with the outcome.

“It’s not what it could have been, but it’s all right, I’m content with it,” he said.

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