We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Kansas measure would allow wrongful conviction compensation

kansas state sealTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A new measure in the Kansas Legislature is aimed at compensating people wrongfully convicted of crimes.

The bill was inspired by the case of a man whose murder conviction was recently vacated.

Rep. Ramon Gonzalez presented draft legislation to the House Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice on Thursday. Hearings on the measure haven’t been scheduled.

Gonzalez works as a special prosecutor for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. He spent several months reopening an investigation into the 1999 murder of Camille Arfmann in Oskaloosa. Floyd Bledsoe spent 16 years in prison for Arfmann’s murder but had his convictions vacated by a Jefferson County judge in December.

Gonzalez says other states allow compensation for the wrongfully convicted.

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File