He spent 39 years in prison for a crime he did not commit and will now be a millionaire.

February 26, 2019

It arrived in the United States. Craig Coley has spent more than half of his life behind bars, accused of the crime committed by his girlfriend and young son.

Craig Coley, 72, has spent nearly 40 years behind bars for two murders he's never committed, and this week the leaders of the American city of Simi Valley, California, announced that They will pay you $ 21 million for the mistake you made.

It all happened in 1978. At the time, Craig Coley was accused of the crime of his ex-girlfriend, Rhonda Wicht, 24 years old, who was strangled, and the son of the woman, Donald, four years old, who died asphyxiated.

Both were found in the beds of his house. Immediately, the investigation targeted Coley, who had just split up. Far from being able to defend oneself, the man was arrested the same day the bodies were found. Shortly after the start of the trial and in 1980 was sentenced to life imprisonment, no possibility of parole.

However, over time, the researchers badyzed the genetic material found at the scene of the crime, using techniques that did not exist at the time, and realized that there was no Coley's DNA, but other people.

He is in prison 19 years ago, accused of murdering a man alive.

In Simi Valley police, a detective, Michael Bender, who reviewed Coley's case, was convinced of his innocence. "No one else could fight for this guy so it was my turn to do it"he stated. "It was the good thing", Stressed Bender.

In 2017, the man regained his freedom and after suing the state,He has reached an agreement for which he will receive $ 21 million.

"Although no amount of money can compensate Mr. Coley for what happened, to clbadify this case in this way is the right thing for him and for the community.", Said a spokesman for the city in a statement.