FL H0549

Appropriates $3 million from the General Revenue Fund to compensate James Joseph Richardson for wrongful imprisonment resulting from his 1968 conviction for first-degree murder in the deaths of seven children in Arcadia, Florida.

Richardson was convicted in May 1968, sentenced to death, and spent 4 years on death row before his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment; his conviction was vacated in May 1989 after State Attorney Janet Reno determined the investigation was inadequate and he was probably wrongfully accused.

Establishes that critical exculpatory evidence was withheld from Richardson's attorney before trial, including statements from the actual killer (babysitter Betsy Reese) and insurance agent Gerald Purvis regarding ineffective life insurance policies that undermined the state's motive theory.

Directs the Chief Financial Officer to draw a warrant for $3 million in favor of James Joseph Richardson from Department of Corrections funds in the State Treasury.

Takes effect upon becoming law and includes a legislative apology to Richardson on behalf of the state.