New York Pays $5.5M to Exonerated Man in Sebold Rape Case

New York State has agreed to pay $5.5 million in compensation to Anthony Broadwater, who spent 16 years behind bars after being wrongfully convicted of raping writer Alice Sebold when she was a student at Syracuse University.

The settlement comes as part of an agreement between the state and Mr. Broadwater, who was exonerated by DNA evidence in 2018 after serving more than half his life sentence for a crime he did not commit. The payout is one of the largest wrongful conviction settlements ever made by New York State and will be distributed over five years with additional funds allocated for legal fees incurred during his case against the state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS).

In addition to financial compensation, Mr. Broadwater’s record has been expunged so that it no longer shows any criminal convictions or sentences related to this case; he also received an official apology from DOCCS Commissioner Michael Czajka on behalf of New York State acknowledging their mistakes leading up to his wrongful conviction.

MrBroadwaters lawyer stated, “This settlement is about justice for Anthony but it should also serve as a reminder that our criminal justice system can make terrible mistakes.” This sentiment echoes throughout those affected by this tragedy including Ms. Sebold herself who said “I am relieved that there is some measure of closure now”.