In a stark reminder of how justice can fail twice, Desmond Ricks, a Detroit man who spent 25 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, is now being ordered to return over $1 million he received as compensation after being exonerated.

Ricks’ conviction for a 1992 murder was overturned after evidence showed the bullets didn’t match the alleged murder weapon. In recognition of his wrongful imprisonment, Michigan’s compensation law awarded him roughly $50,000 per year served.

But a Michigan Court of Appeals ruling now compels him to repay that money because he later won a $7.5 million civil settlement from the City of Detroit over alleged police misconduct related to his conviction. Under state law, exonerees must reimburse the state if they recover damages from a third party tied to the same conviction, a practice known as a “clawback.”

Ricks’ attorney emphasizes that no amount of money can make up for 25 years lost — a sentiment that resonates deeply amid broader discussions about wrongful convictions and justice reform.

Original article by Victoria Vesovski, published on Yahoo Finance.