UTICA , NY— Not much has changed yet for Steven Barnes after recently receiving a check for $3.5 million from the state as payback for all those years he was wrongfully blamed for killing 16-year-old Kimberly Simon in 1985.
The humble Marcy man still goes to work everyday helping youths through Oneida County Workforce Development, and he still eats the same turkey sandwich and homemade soup his mother packs daily for lunch.
Having spent more than 19 years behind bars, 44-year-old Barnes said he is just grateful to be enjoying all the day-to-day routines that most people take for granted. And while the multi-million dollar settlement he received through the state Court of Claims last month for his wrongful imprisonment will certainly make his life easier, Barnes said it’s not nearly enough to make up for lost time.
“I’m glad it’s over with, but after spending 20 years of your life in prison, I don’t think you could ever put a figure on that – but this helps,” Barnes said Thursday. “Now I can go on with my life, enjoy my life and live my life, which I couldn’t live for all those years.”
Former state Court of Claims Judge Norman Siegel in Utica awarded the settlement on Oct. 8, but Barnes and his mother, Sylvia Bouchard, wanted news of this windfall to remain hushed for as long as possible. On Thursday, Barnes’ New York City-based attorney, Debi Cornwall, finally disclosed the settlement.
The humble Marcy man still goes to work everyday helping youths through Oneida County Workforce Development, and he still eats the same turkey sandwich and homemade soup his mother packs daily for lunch.
Having spent more than 19 years behind bars, 44-year-old Barnes said he is just grateful to be enjoying all the day-to-day routines that most people take for granted. And while the multi-million dollar settlement he received through the state Court of Claims last month for his wrongful imprisonment will certainly make his life easier, Barnes said it’s not nearly enough to make up for lost time.
“I’m glad it’s over with, but after spending 20 years of your life in prison, I don’t think you could ever put a figure on that – but this helps,” Barnes said Thursday. “Now I can go on with my life, enjoy my life and live my life, which I couldn’t live for all those years.”
Former state Court of Claims Judge Norman Siegel in Utica awarded the settlement on Oct. 8, but Barnes and his mother, Sylvia Bouchard, wanted news of this windfall to remain hushed for as long as possible. On Thursday, Barnes’ New York City-based attorney, Debi Cornwall, finally disclosed the settlement.
More here.
I wonder how many police and witnesses testified UNDER OATH to facts they knew were incomplete, unfounded, or outright wrong, so "justice" could be served?? , He is only one of hundreds, perhaps THOUSANDS, of people falsely imprisoned by the testimony of people who swore under oath that they saw it, they knew it, etc. SO, for all those people who constantly sing about "if you're not doing anything wrong, why worry about your rights?", where are you at now!? Hiding and being quiet, hoping you aren't next. Our rights, guaranteed by the Constitution, but daily-diminished by the government, the police, the courts, and of course, by people who clap their hands every time another legal decision or action chips away at those rights, are being trampled. YOU may not want YOUR rights, but I damn sure want mine. So do millions of other thinking adults. So, please keep your mouth shut and STOP APPLAUDING the authorities. You may not be "doing anything wrong", but you could STILL BE NEXT.
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