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Man Exonerated After 38 Years Wins $25 Million Settlement

9/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Maurice Hastings won a $25 million settlement—the largest in California history—for his wrongful conviction.
He spent 38 years in prison for the 1983 murder of Roberta Wydermyer before exoneration by DNA.
A judge declared Hastings "factually innocent" in 2023 after the District Attorney refused to test DNA.
The real perpetrator, Kenneth Packnett, was linked to the crime but not investigated.

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Story summary

Maurice Hastings won a $25 million settlement—the largest in California history—for his wrongful conviction.
He spent 38 years in prison for the 1983 murder of Roberta Wydermyer before exoneration by DNA.
A judge declared Hastings "factually innocent" in 2023 after the District Attorney refused to test DNA.
The real perpetrator, Kenneth Packnett, was linked to the crime but not investigated.