COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 26 (UPI) -- An Ohio man who served 30 years in prison after being wrongly convicted of rape has been awarded a $2.59 million settlement, officials said.
The State Controlling Board approved the settlement yesterday, nearly a year after Ray Towler was released from the Grafton Correctional Institution when he was exonerated based on DNA tests, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
State Rep. Clayton Luckie offered Towler an apology and encouraged the state to conduct more DNA testing.
"Too many individuals are found guilty by association or are in the wrong place at the wrong time," Luckie said. "We should apologize when we make a mistake and lock up an innocent person. I hope this is a step in the healing process for Mr. Towler."
Towler, who now works in the mail room of Medical Mutual of Ohio, said he plans to continue working through the summer even after his money arrives in about a week.
"You can't make up for 30 years with any amount, but I plan to keep moving forward," Towler, 53, said. "I don't want this money to change who I am or what I become. I was lucky to find a job when I got out, and I'm not going to just run out on them."
"I want to be smart with the money, but life is just too short to center my world around money," Towler said. "Being out for a year has made me realize some of the things I missed for so long. But things happen for a reason, and I have no hate for anyone."
