SALISBURY, Md.-The Maryland Board of Public Works approved compensation for Grant Jones who, in 1993, was wrongfully accused and convicted of attempted of attempted rape and unjustly imprisoned for four years. Maryland's Attorney General on Wednesday applauded the decision.
Jones will receive $346,913.25 from the Board of Public Works and $89,100.00 from the Department of Housing and Community Development for housing accomodations. Additionally, Jones will receive education and training relevant to life skills, job, and vocational training, or financial literacy through the Department of Labor; health and dental benefits from the Department of Health, State identification through the Motor Vehicle Administration, and enrollment and payment of tuition and fees for attending a public higher education institution through the Higher Education Commission.
The re-investigation of Jones' case resulted from the review of another case involving Walter Lomax Act exoneree, David Veney. While the Wicomico County States Attorney's Office was re-investigating Mr. Veney's case, it uncovered striking parallels between the two: nearly identical accusations lodged by the same accuser. After a re-examination, of Mr. Jones' case, the SAO determined Jones, like Veney, was innocent of the crimes of which he had been convicted. The Circuit Court for Wicomico County granted the SAO's Motion to Vacate Jones' case, and the charges against him were dismissed in August.
On September 8, Jones, sought compensation under the Walter Lomax Act, a law that establishes a fair and straightforward path for Marylanders who have been proven innocent of a crime to seek compensation from the State. A judge issues a Final Decision on December 1, declaring that Jones has been proven innocent, by clear and convincing evidence, of the crime of which he was convicted, and awarded Jones compensation and state-issued benefits.