Richmond council to vote on $5.8 million payment to man wrongfully imprisoned for 40

Marvin Grimm spent over four decades behind bars for a murder he did not commit and is now owed justice under a new state law.

"I lost 96% of my adult life," Grimm said. "I missed out on all the things that most folks take for granted. Weddings, birthdays, family trips, and holidays with family."

The vote comes after a July letter from Gov. Glenn Youngkin warning that Richmond must pay Grimm or risk losing state funding. The new state law mandates localities match Virginia's restitution payments when misconduct is involved.

Council's organizational development committee voted 6-3 last week to recommend the payment, but not before heated debate during and weeks prior over funding sources.

City leaders propose using a reserve fund built from the sale of tax-delinquent properties. The fun