The city of Inglewood has agreed to pay $25 million to settle a wrongful conviction lawsuit brought by a man who spent 38 years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit.

Maurice Hastings, 72, was convicted of sexual assault and murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole in connection with the 1983 killing of Roberta Wydermyer. Decades later, DNA testing led to his exoneration.

“No amount of money could ever restore the 38 years of my life that were stolen from me,” Hastings said in a statement. “But this settlement is a welcome end to a very long road, and I look forward to moving on with my life.”

His lawyers have said they believe the settlement is the largest for a wrongful conviction in California history.

“This historic settlement is a powerful vindication for Mr. Hastin

See Full Page