Fund To Help Those In La. Wrongly Convicted Of Crimes May Be Eliminated

Some state lawmakers want to eliminate a state fund that repays people who have been wrongly imprisoned.

Louisiana law says somebody sent to prison for a crime they didn't commit is entitled to $40,000 for each year of wrongful imprisonment.

A bill filed by Rep. Nicholas Muscarello Jr., a Hammond Republican, seeks to repeal the law that created the Innocence Compensation Fund.

Attorney General Liz Murrill backs the effort, saying the state shouldn't have to pay for the mistakes of local parish officials.