A bill to compensate a man who spent 43 years behind bars for a crime he didn't commit passed the Florida House by a unanimous vote Tuesday morning.
Clifford Williams was one of two men released last March after an investigation by the State Attorney’s Office exonerated them for a 1976 murder.
His nephew Nathan Myers was entitled to almost $2 million for his time in prison under Florida law.
Because Williams had a prior felony record, however, he was not eligible for compensation.
But a special claims bill approved this morning will give Williams $2.15 million for his wrongful incarceration. The bill now moves to Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk for a signature.
The bill was sponsored by Rep. Kim Daniels and Sen. Audrey Gibson, both of Jacksonville.
The bill received unanimous support at every step and passed Tuesday by a vote of 116-0.
As Rep. Kimberly Daniels told First Coast News following a unanimous vote of the Judiciary Committee: “That never happens.”
Assuming the bill received the governor’s OK, Williams should receive his reparations by July.