Governor OKs Nearly $1 Million For 3 California Exonerees

SACRAMENTO (AP) — California Gov. Jerry Brown has authorized a nearly $1 million payout to three wrongfully convicted former prisoners.

His office announced Wednesday that he signed legislation distributing the awards approved by a claims board.

A woman who spent 17 years in prison for the death of a homeless man will receive about $600,000. Susan Mellen was released last fall after a judge found the 59-year-old woman innocent and called her accuser a habitual liar.

Ronald Ross is getting $229,000. He has sued the city of Oakland for $32 million, saying its police department's faulty photo lineup led to his misidentification and seven years of incarceration.

Brian Banks, a former high school football star who spent five years behind bars after a classmate accused him of rape, will receive $142,200.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)