HOUSE BILL NO. 1812 Offered January 10, 2007 Prefiled December 29, 2006 A BILL for the relief of William E. McQueen. ---------- Patron-- Dance ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

Whereas, on or about May 29, 2001, William E. McQueen (Mr. McQueen) was arrested in the City of Colonial Heights, Virginia, and charged with two counts of § 18.2-172 (uttering) and two counts of § 18.2-178 (obtaining money under false pretenses); and

Whereas, Mr. McQueen was unable to post bond and therefore was held in the City of Colonial Heights jail facility until trial; and

Whereas, Mr. McQueen pleaded not guilty to the charges and requested a jury trial; and

Whereas, after hearing the evidence, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty; and

Whereas, Mr. McQueen was released from custody on September 5, 2002, after the acquittal; and

Whereas, Mr. McQueen consistently and adamantly maintained his innocence from the moment of his arrest until his release more than 16 months later; and

Whereas, Mr. McQueen's life was disrupted and he was publicly humiliated as a result of his arrest and being held in custody; and

Whereas,  William E. McQueen has no other means to obtain adequate relief except by action of this body; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  § 1. That there shall be paid for the relief of  William E. McQueen from the general fund of the state treasury, upon execution of a release of all claims he may have against the Commonwealth or any agency, instrumentality, officer, employee, or political subdivision in connection with the aforesaid occurrence, the sum of $8,576 to be paid to William E. McQueen on or before August 1, 2007, by check issued by the State Treasurer on warrant of the Comptroller.