Chester Hollman reached the settlement with the City of Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Hollman was exonerated and released in 2019 after a key witness admitted to falsely implicating him in a 1991 murder. Having my freedom rightfully restored after 28 years is bittersweet, as many innocent people like myself spend decades in prison hoping and fighting simply to reveal the truth, and the few who do gain their freedom are left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives, Hollman said in statement.
He continued, There are no words to express what was taken from me, and no way to measure what I ve lost, but this settlement closes out a difficult chapter in my life as my family and I now embark on a new one.
Wrongfully convicted man spends 28 years in prison, receives $9.8 million settlement from Philadelphia
Updated Dec 31, 2020;
A man who spent nearly three decades behind bars for a crime he did not commit is receiving a multi-million-dollar settlement from the City of Philadelphia.
Chester Hollman was freed from prison in 2019 after Philadelphia prosecutors told the court he was “likely innocent” of the 1991 murder for which he had been convicted.
He ended up spending 28 years in prison, but now, as part of a settlement agreement, Hollman is receiving $9.8 million from the city, Action News 6 ABC is reporting.
A key witness had admitted to falsely implicating him, reports indicate.
Meet Carlos Vega
Aleida Silva-Garcia stood in front of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office on Dec. 16 and spoke about murder.
“Alejandro Rojas-Garcia was murdered on Jan. 24, 2015 by a complete stranger with a history of gun-related arrests and convictions,” she said.
“Alex is my brother.”
Speaking at the announced candidacy of Carlos Vega for DA in the upcoming Democratic primary, Aleida Silva Garcia criticized the current DA, Larry Krasner, and praised former homicide prosecutor, Carlos Vega.
“I felt he understood our pain and was serious and hardworking. He was always available to speak with us and answer our questions. For three years, we worked together until the current district attorney changed everything without notice,” she said.
These Philadelphia-area Latinos had significant achievements in 2020 inquirer.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from inquirer.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A Symbol of Resilience and Determination, Robert Outlaw Was Exonerated Today After Serving Nearly 16 Years For A Murder He Didn t Commit
Edward J. Foster, Esquire of Counsel with The Law Office of Alva & Shuttleworth, LLC Working with the Pennsylvania Innocence Project as well as Patricia Cummings, Chief of the Philadelphia District Attorney s Office Conviction Integrity Unit Has Overturned a Wrongful Conviction for Robert Outlaw an Innocent Man Convicted and Imprisoned for nearly Sixteen Years for a Murder He Did Not Commit.
On January 29, 2019 the Honorable Diana L. Anhalt of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County ordered that the 2004 conviction of Robert Outlaw be vacated and he be granted a new trial after hearing from multiple witnesses and examining evidence over a two-day evidentiary hearing that took place on November 15 and 16 of 2018.