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Wrongfully Convicted, He Was on Florida’s Death Row for 42 Years. He’s Seeking $2.5 Million the State Owes Him.

January 23, 2020 | FlaglerLive | 4 Comments

Clifford Williams spent 43 years on Death Row for a murder he did not commit. He is owed $50,000 for every year he was wrongly imprisoned. (NSF)
Clifford Williams spent 43 years on Death Row for a murder he did not commit. He is owed $50,000 for every year he was wrongly imprisoned. (NSF)

Clifford Williams says he relied on his faith during more than four decades behind bars, including five years on Florida’s Death Row.




Williams, now 77, gives God the credit for his release from prison, after state prosecutors found he and his nephew, Hubert Nathan Myers, were wrongly convicted in the 1976 Jacksonville murder of a woman and the attempted murder of her girlfriend.

After almost 43 years in prison, Williams was set free last year. But his bid for justice continues.

Under a Florida law passed in 2008, people who have been wrongfully imprisoned and who can prove their innocence are entitled to $50,000 for every year they were incarcerated, up to a maximum of $2 million.

The law, however, excludes people like Williams who had prior felony convictions.

House and Senate Democrats, the Innocence Project of Florida and one of Tallahassee’s most influential law firms — Holland & Knight — are trying to convince lawmakers to authorize what is known as a “claim” bill that would pay Williams $2.5 million for the time he spent locked up.

Clasping a silver cane and clad in a bright yellow tie, a frail Williams was present at a House Civil Justice Subcommittee hearing Wednesday as the panel took up the proposal (HB 6507), sponsored by Rep. Kimberly Daniels, D-Jacksonville.

But Williams received more than merely the panel’s unanimous vote in his favor.

“I want to apologize on behalf of the state of Florida. We can never give back your time,” House Civil Justice Chairman Bob Rommel, R-Naples, told Williams, adding that he promised to “work hard” to ensure that the measure is passed.

When asked by a reporter what he thought of Rommel’s apology, Williams said: “God had to touch his heart. He sees where the wrong has been made right, and I thank God for that.”

Shortly afterward, Williams joined Daniels and other supporters — including Innocence Project of Florida Executive Director Seth Miller and Holland & Knight lawyers Mark Delegal and Larry Sellers — at a news conference to tout the claim bill and a separate measure that would do away with the “clean hands” provision in state law that restricts “automatic” compensation to wrongfully incarcerated people who do not have prior convictions.

“How many dollars can replace the pain, the grief, and the torment that he endured, being an innocent man behind bars?” Daniels said. “How much can you give a man for taking away 43 years of his life?”

The unanimous approval of Williams’ bill at its first vetting “sends a message loud and clear that the Florida House of Representatives cares,” Daniels told reporters.

Williams’ exoneration was due largely to the Conviction Integrity Review Division established by State Attorney Melissa Nelson in the 4th Judicial Circuit, made up of Clay, Duval and Nassau counties. Nelson created the division after her 2016 election.

A review of Williams’ case revealed that “multiple credible alibi witnesses” were not called to testify during his 1976 trial, House Special Master Jordan Jones wrote in a report on the claim bill.

“I find that claimant has successfully demonstrated, by clear and convincing evidence, that he is actually innocent of the crimes for which he was convicted in 1976,” Jones wrote in the eight-page report.

While Williams’ felony convictions for attempted arson in 1960 and robbery in 1966 make him ineligible for the compensation allowed in state law, “the Legislature is not bound by that process and may pass this claim bill regardless of whether claimant could otherwise obtain relief,” Jones noted.

The approval of the claim bill Wednesday was just the first step in what could be a lengthy process; claim bills can take years to pass.

The Senate version (SB 28), sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Audrey Gibson of Jacksonville, has been referred to a special master and three committees.

But Williams remains hopeful that supporters’ efforts on his behalf will be fruitful.

“I just trusted God for those 43 years,” he said. “We can’t rush him.”

–Dara Kam, News Service of Florida

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. NYPD says

    January 23, 2020 at 6:06 pm

    So sorry for your devastating mishap.I believe you are OWED SO MUCH MORE!!!!.LAW requires your entitled too that amount.It will never make up for how wrongfully you were incarcerated but it will help you start your knew life for you & your family.Sir just look to the FUTURE and move foward and DON’T LOOK BACK.MAY GOD BLESS YOU& YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY.ENJOY YOUR KNEW LIFE SIR.ONCE AGAIN IM SORRY FOR WHAT YOU HAD TO GO THRU.

  2. nomorepitbulls says

    January 23, 2020 at 6:54 pm

    I say that if his previous felony convictions did NOT invole hurting someone….The PAY THE MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  3. Jane Gentile-Youd says

    January 25, 2020 at 9:50 am

    $2.5 million a year for the rest of his God given life still would not make up for the wrongful incarceration. I wish him a very happy healthy future and an attorney who will fight for much more than a one time payment. Scary really what power the government has over us and the abuses which seem to continue on and on

  4. Mike Cocchiola says

    January 25, 2020 at 12:00 pm

    My guess is the Florida legislature will say… oops! Just another black man erroneously imprisoned. At least we didn’t kill him like so many others. We’ll get the next one so we can’t be sued.

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