Broward county man wrongfully imprisoned receives pay-out from state
By Carlton Gillespie
July 3, 2025 at 5:51 PM EDT
A Broward County man who was wrongfully imprisoned for more than three decades is receiving a seven-figure payout from the state.
Sidney Holmes was convicted in connection to a 1988 armed robbery — and sentenced to 400 years in prison, based on faulty eyewitness testimony. Holmes spent 34 years incarcerated before he was exonerated in 2023.
A state law pays victims of wrongful convictions — but due to his prior criminal record — Holmes was not entitled to receive any money when he was exonerated in 2023.
A claims bill signed by Governor Ron DeSantis this week changed that and Holmes received $1.7 million. He will also receive 120 hours of college or career center tuition.
This is a News In Brief report. Visit WLRN News for in-depth reporting from South Florida and Florida news.
Sidney Holmes was convicted in connection to a 1988 armed robbery — and sentenced to 400 years in prison, based on faulty eyewitness testimony. Holmes spent 34 years incarcerated before he was exonerated in 2023.
A state law pays victims of wrongful convictions — but due to his prior criminal record — Holmes was not entitled to receive any money when he was exonerated in 2023.
A claims bill signed by Governor Ron DeSantis this week changed that and Holmes received $1.7 million. He will also receive 120 hours of college or career center tuition.
This is a News In Brief report. Visit WLRN News for in-depth reporting from South Florida and Florida news.