Payment for Wrongful Conviction Dismissed After Missouri Governor Vetoes Bill

Governor Parson of Missouri vetoed a bill that would have allowed a boost in the payment for wrongful conviction. Parson clarified that the state should not compensate for errors of the prosecution at the local level.

The sweeping public safety bill to boost the payment for wrongful conviction was sponsored by Republican State Senator Tony Luetkemeyer. Reports say the bill would have allowed individuals who were acquitted by the courts to receive payment for wrongful conviction.

However, according to Bayless, on the evening of July 6, Governor Mike Parson of Missouri vetoed the bill. To date, individuals who were acquitted by DNA evidence are the only eligible recipients of the payment for wrongful conviction from the state.

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Vetoing the Payment for Wrongful Conviction

According to Keller, following the veto of the bill, Parson clarified in a letter that the state of Missouri should not compensate for the errors of the prosecution at the local level. Parson also acknowledged that rejecting the payment for wrongful conviction may abolish other priorities such as the “Blair’s Law” which intends to prevent gunfire or any other projectiles during celebrations.

Nonetheless, apart from the payment for wrongful conviction, Parson signed 31 bills into law, several of which were priorities of both the Democrats and Republicans of the state. Reports say these measures include expanding health benefits for low-income pregnant women, exempting seniors from paying Social Security income taxes, eliminating the salary limit of Kansas City police officers, and allowing public schools to electives on the Bible.

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