MIAMI, Fla - A man whose conviction was thrown out after he spent 22 years behind bars was back in Florida friday, trying to get compensated for the years he lost in prison.

James Joseph Richardson was arrested and convicted of poisoning his seven children in Arcadia in 1968. In 1989 new evidence caught the attention of then Governor Bob Martinez and the conviction was thrown out.

Florida law entitles wrongly convicted persons to collect $50 thousand for every year spent in prison, which would amount to $1.1 million dollars for Richardson.

However, the Desoto State Attorney's Office contends that Richardson was never retried because there was no evidence left, not because he was innocent.

A judge will now decide if Richardson is entitled to the money.

Trust WINK News to follow this developing case and bring you the outcome when it happens.