Exonerated Milwaukee man to get $25,000 from state

MADISON (AP) -- The state will pay $25,000 to a Milwaukee man who was wrongly convicted of a homicide that was later linked to a serial killer.

William Avery served six years in prison before being released in 2010. He was seeking $30,000, or the maximum $5,000 per year allowed. But the Wisconsin Claims Board can only award a maximum of $25,000, although it can ask the Legislature for more.

The board also turned down claims from three others whose convictions had been overturned. Those included a claim from Forest Shomberg, who was seeking $102,500.

He served six years after being convicted of attempted sexual assault. His conviction was overturned in part based on DNA evidence. But the board ruled he didn't show ``clear and convincing evidence'' of his innocence.