Senator Volker Announces Passage of "Anthony’s Law"

(ALBANY, NY) Senator Dale M. Volker (R-C-I, Depew) announced today that he has passed legislation that would give docket priority to claims for those who have been unjustly convicted and imprisoned. "Anthony’s Law" is named after Anthony Capozzi, who was convicted over two decades ago of a crime he did not commit. Due to an administrative error, DNA evidence which would have exonerated him was never examined until recently. Despite the fact that he did not commit this crime he has spent more than half of his life behind bars.

"Anthony Capozzi is an innocent man who by no fault of his own, was convicted and imprisoned for over 20 years," said Senator Dale M. Volker. "Justice was not served, and this man and his family have already waited too long for the criminal justice system to correct this wrong. In passing "Anthony’s Law" Mr. Capozzi will be able to quickly have his case considered by the Court of Claims in an expedited manner. This is the right thing to do and will give Mr. Capozzi the opportunity to clear his name and seek damages to an injustice that began over 20 years ago."

It has been established that it can take between 1 1/2 years and four years for a case to be considered and resolved by the Court of Claims. A wait of 2 years for a person unjustly convicted is inexcusable - four years would be an even greater travesty. Any claim made against the State for their unjust imprisonment should be given the highest priority. The preponderance should be that the State should take proper action to ensure that any claims placed against it as a result of their false imprisonment should be resolved in short order. This way people like Anthony Capozzi - who have been unfairly treated by our system of justice - can start to rebuild their lives. The speed with which their case is taken up should be proportionate to the harm done to them by our system of justice.

###