A Florida man who spent 23 years in prison for a murder he did not commit may be compensated by the state. A judge recommended that Jeffrey Abramowski receive $50,000 for each year of his wrongful imprisonment. The 64-year-old man was convicted in 2006 and has spent 23 years in prison for the murder of 78-year-old Cortney Crandall. The two were friends. Abramowski always maintained his innocence. Abramowski had his sentence and verdict vacated by a judge earlier this year after new DNA evidence became available.The newly discovered DNA was not available to either party or the jury in 2006. It reveals two unknown profiles on the murder weapon that do not belong to Abramowski.“Nothing would be worse than to see the wrong person convicted for an offense, and nothing would be worse for that family than the murderer of their loved one being out free and the wrong person behind bars,” Florida State Attorney William Scheiner said.Scheiner acknowledged in a statement Monday that the mission from the start of the investigation has been to achieve justice for the survivors of the victim, Cortney Crandall.Crandall’s family believes Abramowski is the person who committed the crime.”I know this outcome is frustrating for them, and I sympathize,” Scheiner said.Abramowski’s family has been waiting for this day for well over two decades.”Although we are ecstatic and relieved that Mr. Abramowski has finally achieved his long-awaited justice, we pray and hope that the victim, Mr. Crandall, and his family eventually achieve their justice as well,” Abramowski’s attorney, Kevin McCann, said.This recommendation is now returned to a circuit judge for a final decision.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. —

A Florida man who spent 23 years in prison for a murder he did not commit may be compensated by the state.

A judge recommended that Jeffrey Abramowski receive $50,000 for each year of his wrongful imprisonment.

The 64-year-old man was convicted in 2006 and has spent 23 years in prison for the murder of 78-year-old Cortney Crandall. The two were friends. Abramowski always maintained his innocence.

Abramowski had his sentence and verdict vacated by a judge earlier this year after new DNA evidence became available.

The newly discovered DNA was not available to either party or the jury in 2006. It reveals two unknown profiles on the murder weapon that do not belong to Abramowski.

“Nothing would be worse than to see the wrong person convicted for an offense, and nothing would be worse for that family [Crandall’s] than the murderer of their loved one being out free and the wrong person behind bars,” Florida State Attorney William Scheiner said.

Scheiner acknowledged in a statement Monday that the mission from the start of the investigation has been to achieve justice for the survivors of the victim, Cortney Crandall.

Crandall’s family believes Abramowski is the person who committed the crime.

“I know this outcome is frustrating for them, and I sympathize,” Scheiner said.

Abramowski’s family has been waiting for this day for well over two decades.

“Although we are ecstatic and relieved that Mr. Abramowski has finally achieved his long-awaited justice, we pray and hope that the victim, Mr. Crandall, and his family eventually achieve their justice as well,” Abramowski’s attorney, Kevin McCann, said.

This recommendation is now returned to a circuit judge for a final decision.