PBS NewsHour published a short documentary last year about state laws governing compensation for the wrongfully accused and how many of these states offer nothing to those exonerated.
Drew Whitley | 18 Years in Prison
Drew Whitley was charged with the murder of a 22-year-old girl in 1989 in Pennsylvania.
She was working at McDonalds early in the morning. Whitney’s neighbor, a fellow employee of the victim, was waiting outside for his shift to start as a man with a mask on walked behind him and told him not to move. He then witnessed the man shoot the victim.
As the shooter ran away, his mask fell off. The witness later described the man to be his neighbor, Drew Whitley, by the shape of his head and the way he walked.
While Whitley was imprisoned, a death row inmate had also testified that Whitley himself confessed to the murder.
Based on this testimony, he was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
After 18 years in prison, a DNA test of hairs found in the mask recovered at the scene lead to his freedom on May 1, 2006.
She was working at McDonalds early in the morning. Whitney’s neighbor, a fellow employee of the victim, was waiting outside for his shift to start as a man with a mask on walked behind him and told him not to move. He then witnessed the man shoot the victim.
As the shooter ran away, his mask fell off. The witness later described the man to be his neighbor, Drew Whitley, by the shape of his head and the way he walked.
While Whitley was imprisoned, a death row inmate had also testified that Whitley himself confessed to the murder.
Based on this testimony, he was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
After 18 years in prison, a DNA test of hairs found in the mask recovered at the scene lead to his freedom on May 1, 2006.
No Reward
Now, Whitley is on disability and struggling to make ends meet. He hasn’t received a dime from the state government since his release. Pennsylvania is one of the 20 states without laws granting compensation for those exonerated of their wrongful accusations.
There are other men and women like Drew Whitley, being released after spending years in prison, who are unable to receive any compensation for the time they've lost due to their wrongful convictions.
There are other men and women like Drew Whitley, being released after spending years in prison, who are unable to receive any compensation for the time they've lost due to their wrongful convictions.