Governor Perry expected to sign bill inspired by wrongfully convicted Fort Worth man

by PegNews wire

Tim Cole of Fort Worth, who was wrongfully convicted of the rape of a Texas Tech student, died in 1999 in prison. A bill named in his honor would increase the compensation that wrongfully imprisoned former inmates receive upon exoneration. Included in the bill is an increase from $50,000 to $80,000 received for each year spent in prison, 120 hours of paid tuition at a college or career center, and other transitional services.

Having made it through the state senate, the bill is headed to Governor Rick Perry's desk. The governor has indicated that he will likely sign it into law.

Posted by Erin