Mississippi Man Wrongfully Imprisoned Gets $195K Settlement

A man who was wrongfully imprisoned for 12 years is getting a $195,000 settlement from the city of Jackson, Miss.

The Clarion-Ledger reports Cedric Willis had sued the city and four police officers, alleging that their misconduct led to his arrest and conviction for a crime he did not commit. He was convicted in 1997 of homicide and three counts of armed robbery, but later was exonerated by DNA evidence.

The Jackson City Council approved the settlement unanimously at its Tuesday night meeting at the advice of the city’s attorneys.

The state previously awarded him $500,000 in restitution, to be paid out over 10 years.