× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

CHEYENNE -- Andrew Johnson may have to go back to court if he wants the state to compensate him for the 23 years he wrongfully spent behind bars.

The House passed Senate File 30 today, which requires individuals exonerated based on DNA evidence to return to court to prove their innocence in return for compensation. In the original version of the bill, anyone exonerated as a result of DNA evidence would have been eligible for up to $500,000 without having to return to court. But an amendment added the requirement that the exonerated prisoner return to court.

The bill will head to a joint conference committee where the Senate will either approve or disapprove of the changes in the House before it goes to Gov. Matt Mead’s desk.

If the current version of the bill becomes law, it will be a massive road block for Johnson.

In July, the Laramie County district attorney dropped Johnson’s retrial after DNA evidence exonerated him of a 1989 rape charge.

Before he was incarcerated, Johnson was earning a good living doing construction work.