SATELLITE BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 6) -- No bars or razor wire hold former Florida inmate No. 082629. Instead, William Dillon sits on furniture the color of ripe lemons, surrounded by cheerful animal statues and blooming plants, a prisoner no longer after 27 years.
He could get more than a million dollars in state compensation for his wrongful imprisonment, though how much he'll get — if anything — is up to lawmakers because he has a prior conviction for felony drug possession. A hearing on the matter took place this week in Tallahassee, though Dillon says it's impossible to put a dollar amount on his freedom.
"When I actually did walk down those steps, I was so lightheaded, felt like I was being lifted down those steps, I really did," Dillon recently told The Associated Press. "It was so awesome. I don't think I can ever replace that feeling, coming out of there after so many years of feeling I never, ever would."
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Exonerated Florida Man Seeks Cash for 27-Year Sentence

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What a sad story, although with a happy ending...I hope he gets every penny of that 1.5 million! Perhaps if states have to continue remunerating wrongfully convicted men and women, this will get the taxpayers to demand much needed change in the justice system. After all, what is 27 years behind bars, when you're innocent worth? More than 1.5 million in my opinion. I think his previous drug charge should have NO bearing on his compensation.

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"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
~Lord John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton