‘Nothing compared to 25 years’: Baltimore leaders approve $11 million wrongful conviction payout
By Marshall Keely
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BALTIMORE (WBAL) — Baltimore City leaders have approved an $11 million settlement for Anthony Hall, who spent more than 25 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of second-degree murder in 1992.
“This is why we have changed policing in Baltimore,” said Zeke Cohen, president of the Baltimore City Council.
Hall was convicted by the Baltimore City Circuit Court based on testimony from police and two witnesses. After years of fighting his conviction, Hall asked the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project to investigate his case.
That investigation uncovered evidence that had been withheld, according to federal court filings. The primary witnesses later revealed they had been threatened by Baltimore Police and forced to make false statements.
“Whether it’s because police had coerced them or they had been sort of pushed to identify Mr. Hall in this case, they were recanting their statements,” said Stephen Salsbury, deputy solicitor for the Baltimore City Law Department.
In 2023, the same court that convicted Hall found him innocent, and the state dismissed his case. A judge later determined he had been wrongfully convicted and awarded him nearly $2.4 million. Hall sued Baltimore police and the officers involved in 2024.
“We’re recommending a settlement in an amount of $11 million,” Salsbury said.
On Wednesday, Baltimore City’s Board of Estimates voted unanimously to approve the settlement.
Mayor Brandon Scott offered an apology to Hall.
“I’m sorry that he had to go through that. That is a long time for something that you did not do,” Scott said.
City Council President Cohen emphasized the magnitude of Hall’s experience.
“$11 million is an enormous amount of money, but it is nothing compared to the 25 years that this man lost,” Cohen said.
The decision comes as Baltimore leaders highlight progress in police reforms.
Officials reported that last month was the safest July on record, with seven homicides compared to 15 in July 2025.
“We are not perfect. The police department isn’t where we want it to be, but it’s a hell of a lot better than it was when I was a young person,” Scott said.
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