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CalVCB adopts $1.485 million compensation award for Humberto Duran after court vacates convictions
Summary
The California Victim Compensation Board on July 17 adopted a hearing officer’s proposed decision awarding $1,485,120 to Humberto Duran under the board’s process for wrongly convicted individuals, following a court finding of factual innocence under Penal Code section 1485.55.
SACRAMENTO — The California Victim Compensation Board on July 17 voted to adopt a hearing officer’s proposed decision awarding $1,485,120 to Humberto Duran, an individual whose 1994 murder and attempted‑murder convictions were vacated after habeas relief in 2024.
Chief Counsel Kim Gutierrez presented the matter as a Penal Code section 4900 claim arising from the court’s factual‑innocence determination under Penal Code section 1485.55. Gutierrez summarized the award calculation as $140 per day for 10,608 days of wrongful incarceration, for a total of $1,485,120.
Advocates and counsel: Jarrett Adams addressed the board in support of Duran. Adams said Duran "wants to extend his gratitude to everyone involved in this matter." Duran spoke briefly by phone to thank the board: "This act and this compensation is gonna go a long way in helping mister Duran recover," he said, adding that he is "undergoing therapy and trying to put the pieces of his life back together."
The attorney general’s office — Deputy Attorney Generals Jonathan Krause and Seth McCutchen — indicated the office agreed with the proposed decision.
The board received a motion to adopt the hearing officer’s proposed decision in the Penal Code section 4900 matter of Humberto Duran; the board’s roll call recorded Member Becton "Aye," Member Johnson "Aye," and Chair Ravel "Aye." The motion passed.
Clarifying details: CalVCB counsel stated the award represents $140 per day applied to 10,608 days of imprisonment. Duran has been represented by Megan Baca of the California Innocence Advocates; Jarrett Adams also participated in the hearing.
No further action on the matter was recorded at the meeting. The board moved into closed session after this item to consider additional victim compensation program matters.
