TALLAHASSEE - Alan Crotzer, the man who spent 24 years in jail for a rape he didn’t commit, will finally get what’s coming to him. The Florida Senate voted Thursday to pay him $1.25 million in compensation.
The House has already acted, so the bill just needs the Governor’s signature - something he’s already said he would do.
It’s been a long wait for the St. Petersburg man. Last year, the Legislature failed to approve the money - forcing him to wait another year.
He was originally convicted in 1982, and had to wait until 2006 for DNA evidence to clear his name.
Crotzer is also eligible for a free state education - something he says he plans to take advantage of.
32 responses so far ↓
1 Michelle // Apr 4, 2008 at 8:29 am
Good for him! I am sure there are thousands of men and women who are locked up, who did not committ a crime. Although money cannot make up for the lost time, it certainly can help him to jump start his life.
2 melchizodok // Apr 4, 2008 at 8:39 am
Wow! a quarter 4 a rape! I know he did a hard bid the first decade cause rapist get it something terrible in jail!
3 Stacy // Apr 4, 2008 at 8:55 am
That is definitely NOT enough money for 24 years! That man lost most of his life behind bars and will never be the same!
4 Tanya // Apr 4, 2008 at 9:18 am
To piggy back on the other commonets: I surely don’t think that is enough money to make up for 24yrs of life…He deserve A MILL for every year he lost and I know he got is worst in jail. This Man could have had a his own kids and family. AND DID IT TAKE SO LONG FOR DNA to prove it wasn’t him?
5 Tanya // Apr 4, 2008 at 9:20 am
To piggy back on the other comments: I surely don’t think that is enough money to make up for 24yrs of life…He deserve A MILL for every year he lost and I know he got is worst in jail. This Man could have had a his own kids and family. AND WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG FOR DNA to prove it wasn’t him?
6 Rique // Apr 4, 2008 at 9:50 am
I think the federal government should establish a fund for the wrongly convicted so that they can get on with their lives after having most of your life taken away from you. I feel sorry for anyone who has to go through that. Really honest people who end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. It sucks that people have to suffer like that. If you think otherwise, you are wrong. I aggree, he should get a mil for every year.
7 sprice // Apr 4, 2008 at 9:58 am
I agree about that he is not getting enough for his time in prison. I think that they average the amount of money he was expected to make before prison and multiply it by 25 years.
that comes to 50,000 if the treory is correct.
now that is not bad pay for a years work. but no where near what 25 years in prison should cost the state. That man lost the best years of his life knowing that he was innocent. ten mil would have been more acceptable to me, that way he can live the rest of his life in comfort without having to worry.
8 Anonymous // Apr 4, 2008 at 10:19 am
That’s crazy! 1.25 million for 25 years! They giving away more money in Detroit for hush money. That’s an insult and the lawyer he had should have never accepted such a low ball number. I wish him the best but the proper education would give him the confidence to fight for a whole lot more than that. I hope he really does take advantage of the free state education.
9 sportexe // Apr 4, 2008 at 10:49 am
That is some crap…1.3 million for 25 years? How greedy can the govt be. This man spent 25 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit all because of the incompetence of the Police dept and all they can do is give him 1.3 million. What a disappointment. His lawyer even makes it worst. I would ask for 50 million and nothing less. The Governor or Chief of Police of Florida needs to spend 24 yrs behind bars for something he didn’t do and tell me if he will be satisfied with 1.3 million. Bunch of f**ls. This article has totally messed my day….
10 cheryl // Apr 4, 2008 at 12:50 pm
$1.25 is pennies in a pocket when it comes to state or federal money..He’s been had by the government, that’s why it is so easy for them to sign the paperwork, that’s nothing to them. HOWEVER on a good note, he still has time to enjoy life, get a good education (I hope he goes to a good school) and enjoy the freedom that rightly belonged to him.
11 Priscilla Roberts // Apr 4, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I’m so happy for him that he is finally free. It is a shame that it took so long. My God Brother Alton Logan is in the same situation only difference is that 2 lawyers have known for over 25 years that my brother did not commit a murder yet he is still currently locked up. He will be going to court on the 18 of this month in a few weeks. I’m praying that they will free him. If anyone watched the 60 minutes interview a few weeks ago on “Alton Logan” you would think that the state of Illinois would have already released him but they have not. I will be in court on the 18. These kind of things are wrong and something should be done.
12 2cute4u // Apr 4, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Yes, I def agree with the majority…Esp with sportexe…They should do the time and see how it affects them, not to mention if they are told they would only be getting 1.25 mil…I mean geez, you can spend that up in a few months, hell, a few weeks if you go all out…That’s just not enough!! THEY ARE DEAD WRONG!!!!!!
13 Corrine // Apr 4, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Of course that is nonsense money and to add insult to injury they delay it a year.
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14 Zaporah // Apr 4, 2008 at 4:41 pm
The case is a reminder that because an individual sits in prison accused and found guilty of a crime does not mean he actually committed the crime as recent events are proving. At least these individuals are allowed an opportunity to continue their life. Years lost cannot regained. Money paid will never compensate for years lost. This is another reminder that many are in prison because they did not have the funds to pay for adequate defense council.
Note the majority of individuals are black. I am sure many were unable to afford “good” legal concil. An answer to the question, “was their defense public defender?
Wealth determines the amount of time, if any, spent in prison. Its time to stop the lying and face the truth, and clean up the judicial system in America.
15 "E" // Apr 4, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I wouldn’t want to serve 25 years even if they offered me a Billion Dollars, it’s still not worth it!!!
16 CEEme // Apr 4, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Good coming home gift from the state of Florida. And take full advantage of that free state education!!!
17 CEEme // Apr 4, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Oh, but I would have rather been free. I would not want to spend no time in prison. Just imagine what he had to endure (i.e. No females).
18 Keli // Apr 4, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Money is not enough, he lost 24 yrs of his life, his family lost 24 yrs, $1.25m is not enough, God only knows what happen to him while in prison.
19 Oz // Apr 5, 2008 at 1:56 am
FREE MUMIA!!!!
20 Amber // Apr 5, 2008 at 2:27 pm
they need to raise that compensation. this man spent two and a half DECADES behind bars. he needs at least 5 mil.
21 Anonymous // Apr 5, 2008 at 3:58 pm
i cant believe it took that long for dna to clear his name! in the maury show it only takes 48 hrs is the court system really that slow or they just dont care?my husband is currently in jail for being at the wrong place at the wrong time we dont have money for bail so right now hes sitting in jail and not only he is suffering so is his kids
22 candius // Apr 5, 2008 at 5:03 pm
My brother James R. Scott Jr is waiting for his freedom after 22 going on 23 years in San Quentin Prison .I feel blessed for this man who will start living his life i wish him all the best.
23 Tiny // Apr 6, 2008 at 5:27 pm
I agree with everyone else. This man deserves way more money than what’s accepted. Time is very precious and you could never get that back and then 24 long hard years. That’s his whole life. I don’t think $1.25million could never replace the years he lost in prison. Take advantage of the free education.
24 video // Apr 7, 2008 at 6:27 pm
So that is seriously all they are going to give this man?
25 Stone // Apr 8, 2008 at 7:48 am
24years? Thats way too long to be incarcerated with out DNA evidence and I know the measly 1.25 mill will be taxed heavily. That shouldn’t fly as he will never ever be able to rebuild his life he should have at least been awarded 20 plus mill for the discrepancy the authorities had and probably still have.
On a different note, I hope he enjoys the free education and may Allah grant him longevity and good health.
26 Smitty // Apr 8, 2008 at 8:46 pm
1.25million for spending 25 years in jail is a rip-off. That man done missed the prime of his life. He coulda been working a good job and probably netted more than that in 25 years. Not to mention the mental anguish, frustration, emotional distress and everyuthing else he had to endure sitting in jail all those years knowing he didn’t commit the crime. He probably even got raped. So 1.25mil aint nothing. He shoulda seen atleast $10 million easy!
27 Derrick // Apr 11, 2008 at 8:16 am
The governer just awarded Alan $1.25 MM and free state education for his troubles… I’m insulted by this payment to a man who seems happy about the payout, but we all know the state low balled him. They say it’s $50K/yr. for every year he spent behind bars? I’m insulted they used simple math to figure payout for 25 years of incarceration. They could give him at LEAST 5% compounded interest. What about pain and suffering?? We all hear stories about what goes on behind bars. The man just lost out on the best years of his working life and that’s it? If that is not calling someone the “N” word, I don’t know what is…This bothers me greatly!!!!
28 Jim // Jul 29, 2008 at 10:26 pm
you all are nuts. The government owes this man nothing. Life is not fair. Every system has flaws. Using your logic you would have every hospital pay millions everytime a doctor kills a patient by accident. You would have an airline pay millions to every family when a plane crashes. Millions everytime a police officer shoots an man by accident. Yes you all share the same ignorance. You believe that noman is responsible for their acions. You believe that the big federal government is there to protect you from craddle to grave. You are willing to give up your freedoms for your secutity. Your idea of a retirment plan is winning the lottery or suing somebody. Get a life people. Life is not fair. Being an American means accepting the good with the bad. Taking chances and yes.. being responsible. I bet you all are voting for Daddy Obama too.
29 Raqwesha // Feb 16, 2009 at 4:52 pm
GODZ BLEZ DIZ MANE…. HE DUN DID IT.. NAW GIH MEH DATZ 1.25M BOI 4 Rizzlez Yeh.
-Raq OUT
30 Labron // Feb 16, 2009 at 4:53 pm
YEAHA JAX…. Raq Nose….. Sry boi 25 years is no joke
31 Akon // Feb 16, 2009 at 4:54 pm
NEW CD THIS TURSDEY
32 Joe // Feb 26, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Does anyone even freakin realize that poor dude made $6.18/hour he was in prison. that is crap dude and dont even get me started on Alton Logan Case.
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