HR130: HR130 Moore, Mr. Sedrick; compensate

This resolution addresses the case of Sedrick Moore, who was convicted in 2002 of rape, armed robbery, burglary, and firearm possession in a 1993 Colquitt County home invasion. Years later, new DNA testing showed the trial testimony linking Moore's DNA to the crime was incorrect. A Colquitt County Superior Court judge granted him a new trial in 2023, and the state then dropped all charges, exonerating him after more than 21 years in prison. The resolution directs the Department of Administrative Services to pay Moore $1,691,280.00 in compensation. An initial payment of $558,122.40 would be made, with the rest placed in a commercial annuity paying interest and disbursed in equal monthly installments over ten years starting in 2026. The state would get a credit against this payment if Moore later wins a lawsuit over the same wrongful conviction, and any payments would continue to his estate or heirs if he dies. The money would not count as taxable state income.

• Directs the Department of Administrative Services to pay Sedrick Moore a total of $1,691,280.00 as compensation for his wrongful conviction and imprisonment.
• Requires an initial payment of $558,122.40, with the remaining balance placed into an interest-bearing commercial annuity paid out monthly over ten years starting in 2026.
• Gives the State of Georgia a credit against this payment (full or partial) if Moore later recovers damages in a lawsuit over the same wrongful conviction, minus his attorney's fees and costs.
• Requires that any remaining annuity payments continue to Moore's estate or heirs if he dies before the ten-year period ends.
• Exempts any money Moore receives under this resolution from Georgia state income tax.

This resolution directly affects Sedrick Moore, who was wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for over 21 years, and the Department of Administrative Services, which is directed to make the payments. It also touches the Georgia state budget and any future legal claims Moore might bring against state officials.

If passed, Moore would receive over $1.6 million in state compensation for more than two decades of wrongful imprisonment stemming from a conviction later overturned due to flawed DNA testimony. The payment structure and tax exemption determine how and when he actually receives the money.

• The preamble recounts Moore's 1993 arrest, 2002 conviction, and 21 years of imprisonment before new DNA testing in 2018 undermined the trial evidence against him.
• States that a Colquitt County Superior Court judge granted Moore's Extraordinary Motion for New Trial in 2023 after finding the DNA testimony used at trial was wrong.
• The resolving clause sets the total compensation at $1,691,280.00, with an initial payment of $558,122.40 and the rest placed in a ten-year annuity beginning in 2026.
• Gives the state a credit against this payment if Moore recovers damages from a separate lawsuit over the same wrongful conviction.
• Provides that payments continue to Moore's estate or heirs if he dies during the payment period.
• Excludes the compensation from Moore's taxable net income for Georgia state income tax purposes.

1. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
2. 2025-02-27House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
3. 2025-02-05House Second Readers (House)
4. 2025-02-04House First Readers (House)
5. 2025-02-03House Hopper (House)

• Omari Crawford (D, HD-089)Primary sponsor

• wrongful conviction compensation
• criminal justice
• DNA evidence
• state compensation resolution