An innocent man, formerly of Lake Wales, who served over three decades in jail is making a new life in New Tampa.
55-year-old James Bernard Bain, convicted of a rape in 1974, was exonerated by DNA evidence in 2009, is making a new life for himself and his family, tbo.com reports.
The State of Florida recently compensated Bain to the tune of $1.7 million for wrongful imprisonment–$50,00 for each year he served. Now Bain is using that cash to rebuild his life. He has just bought a home in New Tampa, a new sports utility vehicle and plans to get married later this year.
Bain had steadfastly maintained his innocence when he was arrested, telling cops he had nothing to do with the kidnapping and rape of a Lake Wales boy, thirty-five years ago.
“I was with friends that night, hanging out,” Bain said. “I was astounded when policed knocked on the door. My alibi, it didn’t work, as you can see. They paid it no attention,” Bain said, reports tbo.com.
