By Alisha Dixon
After spending 31 years behind bars for rape and burglary, Lawrence McKinney was released after DNA evidence proved he did not commit the crime. Upon his release, the state of Tennessee gave him $75 for the wrongful conviction.
“I don’t have no life, all my life was taken away,” McKinney said.
The $75 settlement is a slap in the face and McKinney along with his lawyer, Jack Lowery, are now fighting the state of Tennessee to receive $1 million. Twice, the state’s Parole Board denied McKinney’s. .
“It is not justice for him not to receive compensation for being wrongfully imprisoned,” Lowery said.
The decision is now up to Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. If approved, McKinney would be awarded $1 million and his name would be cleared.
