HR 130: Moore, Mr. Sedrick; compensate

Sedrick Moore was convicted in 2002 of rape and related crimes tied to a 1993 Colquitt County home invasion, based largely on a co-defendant's testimony and DNA evidence later shown to be flawed. After new DNA testing in 2018 undermined the original forensic testimony, courts granted him a new trial in 2023, and the state dropped all charges, officially exonerating him after more than 21 years behind bars. This resolution directs the Department of Administrative Services to pay Moore $1,691,280 in compensation. An initial payment of $558,122.40 would go to him directly, with the rest placed into a commercial annuity paying monthly installments over ten years starting in 2026. The state would get credit against this payment if Moore later wins a lawsuit over the same wrongful conviction, and any money he receives would be exempt from state income tax.

• Directs the Department of Administrative Services to pay Sedrick Moore $1,691,280.00 as compensation for wrongful conviction and imprisonment.
• Requires an initial payment of $558,122.40 with the remainder placed in a commercial annuity paying monthly installments over ten years starting in 2026.
• Gives the state a credit against this payment if Moore later recovers damages from a lawsuit against a state official over the same wrongful conviction.
• Continues annuity payments to Moore's estate or heirs if he dies before all payments are made.
• Excludes any money Moore receives under this resolution from his taxable net income for Georgia state income tax purposes.

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 affects Georgia taxpayers, since the compensation comes from state funds.

Moore spent more than two decades in prison for a crime he did not commit before DNA evidence exonerated him. This resolution provides him a specific, legally structured financial remedy for that wrongful imprisonment, funded by the state rather than through a lawsuit.

• The whereas clauses detail the 1993 crime, Moore's 2002 conviction, the flawed DNA testimony discovered in 2018, and his 2023 exoneration after a Colquitt County judge granted his Extraordinary Motion for New Trial.
• The resolved clause authorizes and directs the Department of Administrative Services to pay Moore $1,691,280.00 from appropriated or available funds.
• An initial payment of $558,122.40 goes directly to Moore, with the remainder placed into a commercial annuity paying monthly installments over ten years starting in 2026.
• The state receives a credit equal to any damages Moore later recovers in a related lawsuit against a state official, minus his attorney's fees or costs, reducing what the state must pay.
• If Moore dies, payment obligations continue to his estate or heirs.
• A further resolved clause excludes the compensation from Moore's taxable net income for 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-89)Primary sponsor

• wrongful conviction
• state compensation
• criminal justice
• DNA evidence
• Colquitt County