Craig Coley is a native of the United States who served 39 years in jail. He was imprisoned after being wrongfully convicted of a double homicide in Los Angeles, California.
Craig Coley’s Biography, Wiki and Quick Facts
| Full Name: | Craig Coley |
|---|---|
| Born Date: | 07 Jun, 1947 |
| Age: | 75 years |
| Horoscope: | Gemini |
| Lucky Number: | 7 |
| Lucky Stone: | Agate |
| Lucky Color: | Yellow |
| Best Match for Marriage: | Leo, Aquarius, Libra |
| Gender: | Male |
| Country: | United States |
| Break Up | Rhonda Wicht |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | White |
| Birth Place | United States Navy |
| Nationality | American |
| Wiki | Craig Coley Wiki |
How much is the Craig Coley’s Net Worth?
His service included numerous missions to Vietnam on the USS Enterprise and USS Bainbridge. However, no information regarding his work, salary, or net worth is available. On February 23, 2019, Coley received a $21 million settlement from the city of Simi Valley as compensation for his unjustifiable murder.
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Early Childhood and Education of Craig Coley
Craig Coley was born on June 7, 1947, while serving in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. His current age is 75 years old. However, no information is available regarding his parents or other family members. He is of American descent, although his ethnicity is uncertain. He was born under the solar sign Gemini, according to his birthdate. There is no other information concerning his early life.
Likewise, his educational background is unavailable. He could be a well-educated individual.
Wicht Murder Investigation
Rhonda Wicht, 24, and Donald Wicht, 4, were discovered dead in their apartment in Simi Valley, a Los Angeles area, on November 11, 1978. Donald Wicht had been suffocated, while Rhonda Wicht had been raped, abused, and murdered. Because Coley had been dating Rhonda Wicht for two years and they had recently split up.
Coley was arrested and charged with two murders on the same day as the murders. The first trial ended with a hung jury. In the second trial, held in 1980, he was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Coley spent time in California jails, including Los Angeles County and Folsom.
New Investigation of Craig Coley
Michael Bender, a Simi Valley Police Department officer at the time, began reexamining Coley’s case in 1989 and discovered weaknesses in it. Coley’s parents, a former police officer and a teacher, had been trying tirelessly to get their son released until their deaths. Detective Dan Swanson of the Simi Valley Police Department’s cold case squad was assigned to conduct a new investigation. Det. Swanson discovered the missing evidence and had it forensically examined.
Three former and current law enforcement personnel testified in court that the investigator who handled the case during Coley’s trial “mishandled the investigation or framed Mr. Coley.” The local attorney stated that the first investigators’ conclusion that Coley was guilty was made too soon and that they were victims of “tunnel vision.”
Pardon
On November 22, 2017, California Governor Jerry Brown pardoned Coley after the prosecution’s case against him was revealed to be false.
On February 23, 2019, Coley received a $21 million settlement with the city of Simi Valley. We would be unwise to proceed in this fashion since going to trial would be exceedingly costly. Simi Valley City has announced that they will provide around $4.9 million of the $21 million that Coley will get. And the remainder will come from other sources, such as insurance.
Furthermore, Coley’s sentence is the 14th-longest in the country for a manifestly erroneous conviction. DNA evidence later cleared Coley and DeAngelo, but the identity of the killer remains unknown.
Personal Life | Who is the Wife or Girlfriend of Craig Coley?
His sexual orientation is heterosexual. There is no information available on his relationship status. However, according to sources, he dated Rhonda Wicht prior to her murder. He was also accused with the murder of his ex-girlfriend. The story behind this murder, however, remains a mystery.
Craig Coley’s Body Dimensions
In terms of physical appearance, he has a charming demeanor. However, there is no information on his height, weight, or body size. Based on his photographs, we may deduce that he has black eyes and white hair.
Social Media Accounts
In terms of his social media presence, although he is not active on any social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. However, word of the suspect’s murder quickly spread on social media.
Craig Coley Settlements in $26 million
Coley was also successful in his claim for damages against the city of Simi Valley, which paid him $21 million. The city and county reimbursements were in addition to the almost $2 million granted to him by the state.
Coley cited the law enforcement agencies and workers that botched the investigation and implicated him in the May 2018 claims filed against the city and county.
According to the claims, the miscarriage of justice was caused by the “intentional and reckless acts and omissions of various officers and members” of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, and the Simi Valley Police Department.
Simi Valley announced its settlement with Coley in February 2019, just a few months after a formal complaint was filed in federal court against the county.
Coley and his multicolored Border Collie now live in San Diego. But he claims he will never be able to reclaim all of his lost time, but the payments have allowed him to resume his life.
“It’s gonna help make my life more comfortable,” Coley remarked.
