New Year brings hope for man wrongly imprisoned

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

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Al Crotzer was 20-years-old when he was wrongly imprisoned. (slideshow)

TALLAHASSEE (Bay News 9) -- A new bill is bringing new hope to a former St. Petersburg resident who was wrongly imprisoned for more than two decades

Al Crotzer is fighting for restitution from the state.

He served 24 years in prison for a double rape conviction until DNA evidence set him free two years ago.

He's asking lawmakers for a $1.2 million.

"If you didn't do it, you didn't do it, and for me to be held accountable for a court upsetting my life," Crotzer said. "I went in there at twenty and I came out at 45-years old, and to sit here and talk to you, I'm blessed. But there are those that are going to die in there.

Since leaving prison, Crotzer's gotten married, gotten a job, and moved to Tallahassee, he says to escape the crime in his native St. Petersburg. But, his claim bill remains elusive.

Last year, the priority went to the family of Martin Lee Anderson, the boy who died after being beaten in a Florida boot camp.

But State Senator Dave Aronberg is optimistic 2008 will be different. He's spearheading a bill in Crotzer's honor.

"Alan Crotzer has waited for far too long for a measure of justice, and I don't want him to wait another year," Aronberg said.

"When a guy pulls up to me in a Jeep with a rebel flag and hollers, 'there's the man right there', jumps out and gives me a hug and says, 'man, do what you gotta do, they owe you man, that's wrong', that's a big impact on Alan Crotzer," Crotzer said. "That's why I'm not bitter. That's why I'm not hateful, I'm not spiteful about this. I know that people truly in their hearts are good.

Crotzer said he's fascinated by the medical world, and wants to train for a job as an ultrasound technician. His restitution could be decided as early as March, when the legislature convenes its regular session.

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