Closing arguments in Earl Washington case

blog-earlWashington.JPGClosing arguments began today at 1pm in the civil case pressed by wrongly convicted Earl Washington, the man kept in jail 18 years for a murder he did not commit. Washington, who testified Monday about the terror of living on death row, is suing the estate of an investigator who allegedly pushed him into a false confession. As reported by Lisa Provence in today's edition of the Hook, the topic of false confessions may resonate locally, as the parents of some teens snared in the alleged Albemarle bomb plot– a plot with no evidence of either illegal weaponry bombs (unless daddy's lockup-up shotguns and a single festive smoke-bomb count)– believe their children were unfairly interrogated by Albemarle Police.
Washington's civil case opened on April 24 in U.S. District Court on Charlottesville's Vinegar Hill. He is suing the estate of now-deceased state police investigator Curtis Reese Wilmore. Washington's false confession, the plaintiff says, was the only evidence tying him to the brutal 1982 slaying of Rebecca Williams.
Thursday evening update: The jurors have gone home for the evening and will resume deliberations tomorrow.


Wish I was on the jury. He would get every penny he is seeking. And more.

18 years in jail. Knowing all along that it was for a crime he didn't commit.

AMEN to that...! Can he also be compensated by the government - for not investigating throughly? OR ignoring the fact that he WAS innocent. JEEZ!

I think the General Assembly has already compensated him for the 19 years he spent in jail caged up like a dog.

Offered January 13, 2003
A BILL for the relief of Earl Washington, Jr.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. That there shall be paid for the relief of Earl Washington, Jr., from the general fund of the state treasury, upon execution of a release of all claims he may have against the Commonwealth or any agency, instrumentality, officer, employee, or political subdivision in connection with the aforesaid occurrence, (i) the sum of $450,000 to be paid to Earl Washington, Jr., on or before August 1, 2003, by check issued by the State Treasurer on warrant of the Comptroller and (ii) an annuity for the primary benefit of Earl Washington, Jr., providing for equal monthly payments, for a period certain of 10 years commencing on or before September 1, 2003, in the cumulative amount of $550,000. The State Treasurer shall purchase the annuity at the lowest cost available from any A+ rated company, including any A+ rated company from which the State Lottery Department may purchase an annuity, and such annuity shall contain beneficiary provisions providing for the annuity's continued disbursement in the event of the death of Earl Washington, Jr.

Good - althought that seems a pittance compared to what he deserves - I trust he did not have to pay taxes on the funds!