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1997 SESSION

978437198
HOUSE BILL NO. 1825
Offered January 8, 1997
A BILL for the relief of Christopher Prince.
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Patron-- Davies (By Request)
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Referred to Committee on Claims
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Whereas, Christopher Prince was arrested on February 9, 1994, by the County of Culpeper police for breaking and entering; and

Whereas, on September 23, 1994, Mr. Prince was convicted of breaking and entering during the daytime with the intention to commit a felony other than rape, robbery or murder; and

Whereas, in 1995, evidence was gathered in the investigation of the crime Mr. Prince was convicted of committing that indicated that Mr. Prince did not commit the crime; and

Whereas, the Commonwealth's attorney for the County of Culpeper confirmed the results of the investigation and became convinced that Mr. Prince did not commit the crime; and

Whereas, on December 21, 1995, Governor Allen granted Mr. Prince an absolute pardon for his 1994 conviction; and

Whereas, Mr. Prince was incarcerated for 15 months for a crime that he did not commit; and

Whereas, Mr. Prince suffered severe physical, emotional and psychological damage as a result of this wrongful restraint; and

Whereas, Mr. Prince has no other means to obtain relief except by action of this body; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. That there is hereby appropriated from the general fund the sum of $100,000 for the relief of Christopher Prince. This sum shall be paid by check issued by the State Treasurer on warrant of the Comptroller to Christopher Prince, upon execution by him of a release of all claims he may have against the Commonwealth or any agency, instrumentality, officer, employee or political subdivision thereof, in connection with the aforesaid occurrence.