Man wrongly imprisoned for rape gets statue in Texas

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/09/18/lubbock-tim-cole-exonerate-state/15813943/

LUBBOCK, Tex. – A statue depicting someone who spent 13 years in prison accused of rape may seem an odd memorial.

But the new bronze statue of Tim Cole -- 13 feet high and peering across 19th Street toward Texas Tech University campus -- is a tribute not just to a man wrongly accused of a crime who stood by his principles but to an imperfect criminal justice system.

On Wednesday, state officials, including Gov. Rick Perry, gathered on the busy corner of 19th Street and University Avenue for the statue's unveiling. Cole was a Texas Tech student in 1985 when he was wrongly accused of raping another student and sentenced to 25 years in prison, where he later died. After lawyers had his case overturned, Perry awarded Cole the state's first ever posthumous pardon.

"This statue will serve as a reminder that justice must be tempered with wisdom," Perry said before a crowd that included members of Cole's family and other exonerees. "And we must all stand vigilante against injustice, wherever it may be found."

[VOL 425]

80,000 per year for being locked up, 3 meals per day, and free rent.

I would do 5 years and come out $400K Tax Free.........

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

$80K a year is a pittance.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

80,000 per year for being locked up, 3 meals per day, and free rent.

I would do 5 years and come out $400K Tax Free.........

You couldn't pay me enough for going to prison...

$80K a year is a pittance.

You can live off it, but I'd wager no amount of money can give you back what was lost.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

You can live off it, but I'd wager no amount of money can give you back what was lost.

Exactly. No amount of money is going to buy back the time you lost.

[Rob L 3,811]

80,000 per year for being locked up, 3 meals per day, and free rent.

I would do 5 years and come out $400K Tax Free.........

What a windfall, too bad Mr Cole is passed on

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Building a statue seems a bit ridiculous. Wouldn't it be better spending the money on audits and improvements to processes and procedures?

[Karee 4,191]

$80K a year is a pittance.

Don't forget the free housing and meals.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Don't forget the free housing and meals.

Seriously?

[Karee 4,191]

Seriously?

Have to try and look a the the upside. It's not just 80k per year. If you would've took the time to read the article instead of jumping to conclusions, you would've noticed this:

Cole's case led to a string of criminal justice reforms, including the Tim Cole Act, which awards exonerated inmates $80,000 for each year they were behind bars, among other annuities – the most generous exoneree compensation package in the USA.

An you're always ragging on Texas. Shame on you.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

And it's still a pittance.

[Rob L 3,811]

Have to try and look a the the upside. It's not just 80k per year. If you would've took the time to read the article instead of jumping to conclusions, you would've noticed this:

An you're always ragging on Texas. Shame on you.

sounds like a picnic.....are you signing up for being wrongfully accused?

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

$80K a year is a pittance.

A 90 year old billionaire would give up every last cent to swap places with an 18 year old with nothing. Nothing is more important than time.

Five years taken away for no reason... tragedy.