the Senate Criminal Justice Committee approved legislation...

the Senate Criminal Justice Committee approved legislation to make it easier for people who were wrongfully imprisoned to receive compensation from the state. Senate Bill 87 by Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, would remove a requirement that those petitioning for compensation obtain a letter certifying actual innocence from the local district attorney. Several prosecutors have been reluctant to provide such certification, Ellis said. Testifying for Ellis' bill were Josiah Sutton and Anthony Robinson, who both spent years in prison for crimes they didn't commit. DNA evidence exonerated Sutton 2 years ago of a rape conviction, but he has yet to be compensated.