Richmond effort to pay wrongly imprisoned Marvin Grimm $5.8 million progresses

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmond leaders have introduced an ordinance to make restitution payments of $5.8 million to a Richmond man who spent over 40 years in prison for crimes he did not commit.

Marvin Grimm was convicted of the abduction, first-degree murder and rape of 3-year-old Christopher Harper, who was found dead in the James River in November 1975. After pleading guilty to avoid the death penalty, he received a life sentence -- serving 44 years in prison before being released on parole in 2019.

Grimm was granted a writ of actual innocence in June 2024, exonerating him almost 50 years after his arrest. In reviewing the case, it was found that there were many questionable circumstances to Grimm's trial, especially concerning DNA evidence.

The case is reportedly the longest wrongful conviction in Virginia history and the second-longest wrongful conviction in the United States.

In response to the Court of Appeals' findings, the General Assembly of Virginia and Governor Glenn Youngkin passed a bill, awarding a sum of roughly $5.8 million in restitution payments for Grimm.

Last month, 8News obtained a letter from Youngkin to Avula, stating that the City of Richmond had ignored its legal obligation to pay Grimm the $5.8 million. In response, Youngkin threatened to withhold state funds until the city had followed through with its payment.

“Mr. Grimm deserves better treatment from the City of Richmond, and I trust you will promptly rectify this situation,” Youngkin said.

Days later, the city issued a press release saying that it was “moving forward with the next steps” towards paying Grimm.

On Monday, Aug. 25, an ordinance was introduced during a City Council Special Meeting, according to a statement from Mayor Danny Avula.

"I'm pleased that this step was taken today and that the ordinance to provide a restitution payment to Mr. Grimm has now been introduced," Avula said in his statement. "While nothing can restore the decades of life he lost, we are committed to taking action and moving swiftly to see this through. We look forward to Council's consideration of the ordinance when they convene next month."