Sykes Votes To Compensate Two Wrongfully Imprisoned Ohioans
January 25, 2021
Vernon Sykes News
Today, state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) supported the Ohio Controlling Board’s decision to release $1,306,651.50 as a settlement payment to Laurese Glover and Derrick Wheatt, who were wrongfully imprisoned for nearly 20 years by the State of Ohio.
“We cannot replace the time that Laurese Glover and Derrick Wheatt have lost or remove the pain that they have experienced, but we can recognize that the justice system is imperfect and try to counteract its failures,” said Sykes, who is a sitting member on the Controlling Board. “This money will help Derrik and Laurese rebuild a life. It’s a necessary step toward justice.”
Glover and Wheatt, along with Eugene Johnson, were teenagers in 1996 when they were convicted of murdering 19-year-old Clifton Hudson Jr. and sentenced to 18 years. A judge found evidence of prosecutorial misconduct and overturned their convictions in 2015. The first payment for wrongful imprisonment was released in April 2019 upon preliminary judgment. The release today represents the second half of their state-issued funds.
Sykes sponsored legislation enacted in 1985 to create a wrongful imprisonment compensation process for two individuals. In 1986, Senator Sykes’ legislation to establish a process of compensation for any individuals who are wrongfully imprisoned was enacted into law. In the past decade, Ohio has paid out $25.3 million to wrongfully imprisoned individuals.
“We cannot replace the time that Laurese Glover and Derrick Wheatt have lost or remove the pain that they have experienced, but we can recognize that the justice system is imperfect and try to counteract its failures,” said Sykes, who is a sitting member on the Controlling Board. “This money will help Derrik and Laurese rebuild a life. It’s a necessary step toward justice.”
Glover and Wheatt, along with Eugene Johnson, were teenagers in 1996 when they were convicted of murdering 19-year-old Clifton Hudson Jr. and sentenced to 18 years. A judge found evidence of prosecutorial misconduct and overturned their convictions in 2015. The first payment for wrongful imprisonment was released in April 2019 upon preliminary judgment. The release today represents the second half of their state-issued funds.
Sykes sponsored legislation enacted in 1985 to create a wrongful imprisonment compensation process for two individuals. In 1986, Senator Sykes’ legislation to establish a process of compensation for any individuals who are wrongfully imprisoned was enacted into law. In the past decade, Ohio has paid out $25.3 million to wrongfully imprisoned individuals.