Richmond man proven innocent of child’s 1975 rape, murder could get over $3 million from state
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A Richmond man spent over 40 years in prison for the abduction, rape and murder of a 3-year-old in 1975 -- all crimes he did not commit. Now, following his exoneration, the General Assembly is considering awarding him over $3 million in compensation. On Nov. 22, 1975, a 3-year-old boy named Christopher Harper disappeared into the woods near his family's Richmond apartment. Four days later, he was found dead face-up in the James River with his arms folded over his chest. After a year of investigation and court proceedings, in 1976, Marvin Grimm of Richmond was convicted of Harper's abduction, first-degree murder and rape. He received a life sentence and served 44 years in prison before he was released on parole in 2019. Almost 50 years later, in June 2024, Grimm was issued a writ of actual innocence, finding he never should have been convicted in the first place. This decision was made based on a review of the case and the questionable circumstances that surrounded Grimm's trial, as well as the re-analysis of key evidence. PREVIOUS: ‘It’s bittersweet,' Attorneys weigh in after a Richmond man sentenced to life is proven innocent A bill introduced by Del. Richard "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. (D-Fairfax) seeks to give Grimm financial compensation for both his wrongful incarceration and his wrongful addition to the sex offender registry. According to the bill's text, the time Grimm spent in prison marks "the longest wrongful conviction in Virginia history and the second-longest wrongful conviction in the country." It adds that 96% of Grimm's expected adult life was spent wrongfully incarcerated. For those and several other reasons listed within the legislation, the bill -- if passed -- would award Grimm up to $3,498,289, per its fiscal impact statement. This includes $2,787,970 in wrongful incarceration relief and $710,319 in wrongful sex offender registration relief. These amounts were calculated by the Virginia Department of the Treasury based on Grimm's incarceration and registration dates, respectively. As of the time of reporting, this bill is awaiting the review of a subcommittee of the House of Delegates' Committee on Appropriations.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A Richmond man spent over 40 years in prison for the abduction, rape and murder of a 3-year-old in 1975 -- all crimes he did not commit. Now, following his exoneration, the General Assembly is considering awarding him over $3 million in compensation.
On Nov. 22, 1975, a 3-year-old boy named Christopher Harper disappeared into the woods near his family's Richmond apartment. Four days later, he was found dead face-up in the James River with his arms folded over his chest.
After a year of investigation and court proceedings, in 1976, Marvin Grimm of Richmond was convicted of Harper's abduction, first-degree murder and rape. He received a life sentence and served 44 years in prison before he was released on parole in 2019.
Almost 50 years later, in June 2024, Grimm was issued a writ of actual innocence, finding he never should have been convicted in the first place. This decision was made based on a review of the case and the questionable circumstances that surrounded Grimm's trial, as well as the re-analysis of key evidence.
A bill introduced by Del. Richard "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. (D-Fairfax) seeks to give Grimm financial compensation for both his wrongful incarceration and his wrongful addition to the sex offender registry.
According to the bill's text, the time Grimm spent in prison marks "the longest wrongful conviction in Virginia history and the second-longest wrongful conviction in the country." It adds that 96% of Grimm's expected adult life was spent wrongfully incarcerated.
For those and several other reasons listed within the legislation, the bill -- if passed -- would award Grimm up to $3,498,289, per its fiscal impact statement. This includes $2,787,970 in wrongful incarceration relief and $710,319 in wrongful sex offender registration relief.
These amounts were calculated by the Virginia Department of the Treasury based on Grimm's incarceration and registration dates, respectively.
As of the time of reporting, this bill is awaiting the review of a subcommittee of the House of Delegates' Committee on Appropriations.
