RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — After more than four decades behind bars for crimes he didn’t commit, a man from Richmond is to receive $5.8 million, as mandated by Governor Glenn Youngkin.

In 1975, a young boy named Christopher Harper, just 3 years old, vanished near his home in Richmond. His disappearance ended tragically when his body was found in the James River four days later.

A year after the incident, Marvin Grimm, a Richmond resident, was convicted of Harper’s kidnapping, murder, and rape, receiving a life sentence. After serving 44 years, he was paroled in 2019.

Nearly half a century later, in June 2024, authorities issued a writ of actual innocence for Grimm, overturning his convictions. This came after a thorough review of his case and a re-evaluation of critical evidence, revealing the flaws in his original trial. Attorney General Jason Miyares supported this writ.

This is reportedly the longest wrongful conviction in Virginia history and the second-longest wrongful conviction in the country.

A letter from Governor Glenn Youngkin to Richmond Mayor Danny Avula, dated July 25, reveals that the city has neglected its duty to compensate Grimm with the $5.8 million owed to him. This action followed reports from Grimm’s legal team to Youngkin.

“To date, the City has ignored its responsibility and has not responded to Mr. Grimm’s counsel,” the letter said.

Grimm’s attorneys from Arnold and Porter (A&P) noted in a letter to Youngkin that the city had neither confirmed payment nor engaged in discussions about it. They also mentioned a lack of response to their previous communication, sent to Avula and the city attorney on June 17.

The sum of roughly $5.8 million matches the amount of money awarded by the General Assembly of Virginia in response to the Court of Appeals’ findings.

The letter Youngkin sent to Avula stated that if the city does not pay Grimm $5.8 million by Aug. 15, he will withhold funds “otherwise owed to the city” until the payment is made, citing Virginia law that grants him the power to do so.

“Mr. Grimm deserves better treatment from the City of Richmond, and I trust you will promptly rectify this situation,” Youngkin said.

In response to the letter, a city spokesperson provided the following comment:

The City is reviewing the contents of the Governor’s letter and does not have comment at this time.

City of Richmond spokesperson