Lathan Rydell Word was wrongfully convicted of armed robbery in 1999 and served 12 years in prison before being released. A resolution approved by the state House on Thursday would pay him $400,000 for the mistake.

House Resolution 73, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Hugley, D-Columbus, passed by a vote of 97-58 and now goes to the Senate.

Word was less than a week away from joining the Marine Corps when he was arrested at age 18. The lone witness against him, now in prison for murder and armed robbery, Hugley said, recanted his testimony in 2011.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Georgia has suspended or eliminated aimed at helping families and children in foster care. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Credit: TNS

Featured

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., arrives to a news conference on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

Credit: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP