There were many consequences of Ronald Cotton’s wrongful conviction. Firstly, Ronald Cotton was convicted of a heinous crime he did not commit, and had to serve eleven years in jail for it. He was stripped of eleven years of his life, eleven years that he will never get back. He was only able to see his family on limited occasions. His father died shortly after Cotton had been exonerated. Luckily, Cotton was able to marry and have a child of his own after he was exonerated, something many wrongfully convicted persons do not experience.
There are also psychological consequences of being in prison. As Cotton notes, he always feels the need now to have someone with him and to remember specific dates and events, in case he needs an alibi.
Another consequence of Cotton’s wrongful conviction was money. Cotton had no job and no money upon his release. The state of North Carolina was originally only going to grant Cotton $5,000 for the eleven years he was wrongfully incarcerated. However, Cotton’s attorneys, with the help of Thompson’s support, were able to change Cotton’s compensation to $110,00. Although it is wonderful that Cotton’s compensation was raised, and rightfully so, the taxpayers of North Carolina had to pay for this compensation. Taxpayers in every state continue to pay for the costs of wrongful convictions. For example, the BGA/CWC investigation found that the total costs of Illinois taxpayers for wrongful convictions have cost $214 million.
The victim also tends to suffer consequences from wrongful convictions. When Jennifer Thompson was informed that Ronald Cotton was not her rapist, she was very distressed. She felt as if she had brought disgrace upon the Burlington Police Department for identifying the wrong man. Not only that, but Thompson also felt extreme guilt. She had robbed Cotton of so many years of his life. Because of this, Thompson was worried that Cotton and his family would come after her and her family. Luckily, nothing of the sort happened. Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton met on April 4, 1997. Cotton forgave Thompson. Over the years, the two have become very close friends and advocates for wrongful convictions.
Jennifer Thompson-Cannino (left) and Ronald
Cotton (right), speaking at a rally for Troy Davis
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Picking Cotton 
