RICHMOND, Va. β Richmond City Council introduced legislation Monday outlining how the city plans to pay $5.8 million to a man who spent 45 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit.
Marvin Grimm was exonerated in 2024 by DNA evidence after being wrongfully imprisoned for the 1975 murder of 3-year-old Christopher Harper, who was found dead on the banks of the James River.
Grimm has said he was pressured to confess to the crime.
"At the station, police spent nearly 10 hours trying to get me to confess. I was not allowed to eat anything, drink anything, or call my wife to let her know I was okay. They were loudly insistent. They threatened me with the death penalty," Grimm told state lawmakers at a hearing earlier this year.
"The Grimm family has truly been done an injustice, and both the city and the state is obligated to be responsive to that," said Councilwoman Ellen Robertson after Monday's meeting.
The city is proposing Grimm's $5.8 million payment come from the delinquent tax sales special fund, which holds proceeds from the sale of tax delinquent properties, according to a memo from Odie Donald, the city's newly appointed chief administrative officer.
Donald told city council this was the best option, adding he strongly advised against using the rainy day fund because it could negatively impact the city's credit rating.
"It's the right thing to do," Robertson said.
The push to find the money comes after a July letter from Governor Glenn Youngkin demanding the city pay Grimm or risk having funds withheld. The city had not yet followed a new state law that took effect July 1, which required localities to match state payments in cases of official misconduct. Grimm himself lobbied for that law during this year's General Assembly session.
"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."
Grimm was imprisoned for the murder of Christopher Harper, who was found fully clothed 9 miles from his home. Grimm says he confessed after being coerced by police following hours of interrogation and pled guilty because he was scared of the death penalty.
The state forensic scientist that handled his case has had decades of work called into question.
"It's unfortunate that we are just finding out about the Grimm family and what they have experienced," Robertson said.
Harper's family says they never expected to be left without answers 50 years later but remain determined to keep fighting for justice.
"I feel like it's something I have to do. The person who did it will be held accountable today. It won't be by me, but he or she has to answer to what they did," said Sarah Martin, Christopher Harper's brother.
Mayor Danny Avula issued a statement Monday saying he was pleased city council took this step, adding: "Nothing can restore the decades of life he lost, we are committed to taking action and moving swiftly to see this through."
The legislation will now go before a city council committee for review and discussion. A full council vote is set for Sept. 8.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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