'Lasts a lifetime' | Wrongfully-convicted Kentuckians speak in favor of proposed bill that would offer compensation | Politics

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Kentucky lawmaker's proposed bill would give thousands of dollars each year to someone wrongfully convicted of a crime.

Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Louisville, is a sponsor of House Bill 178, which would compensate wrongfully convicted Kentuckians for years lost to prison.

As it's written now, if the bill were to become law the state would pay:

$65,000 per year of wrongful imprisonment
$25,000 per year on parole
$75,000 per year on death row

It would also pay for exonerees to go to college in Kentucky, their health insurance and attorney fees.

Several people who have been exonerated for crimes they didn't commit testified before a panel of state lawmakers on Wednesday.

They said there's no amount of money that could give them back the time they lost with loved ones, but some kind of repayment is a start.

"I want you to look at this picture here, and notice the color of my hair and how dark it is. Look at the color of my hair today. This wrongful conviction lasts a lifetime," said Michael Vonallman, who was wrongfully convicted in 1981, served 11 years behind bars and was on parole for 16 years.

One stipulation to the bill, innocence must be proven to receive the possible payouts. To be eligible, exonerees need a certificate of innocence from a judge and if they win a civil suit for misconduct, the payment would be lowered.

Since 1989, at least 22 people have been wrongfully incarcerated in Kentucky. Kentucky is 1 of 12 states that doesn't compensate exonerated citizens.

The bill has yet to be heard in the Senate.

To read more about HB 178, click here.

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