Gastonia man wins $3.25 million settlement for wrongful rape conviction

Burton Craige has only known Willie Grimes since 2014. That represents just a fraction of the 24 years the latter spent in prison for a rape he didn't commit.

But in that comparatively brief time, Craige realized why his client has been able to prevail over an injustice that destroyed much of the 69-year-old Gastonia resident's life.

"He has a remarkable quality of calm, forgiveness and faith," said Craige, the attorney who represented Grimes in a federal lawsuit against the city of Hickory. "Those are very unusual and admirable qualities that I see in him. He's a level-headed man who's actually been an inspiration to me."

On Wednesday, Hickory City Council members awarded Grimes $3.25 million as part of a settlement to a federal lawsuit filed two years ago.

Read more: http://www.gastongazette.com/news/20160826/gastonia-man-wins-325-million-settlement-for-wrongful-rape-conviction