The Richmond City Council on Monday introduced an ordinance to pay $5.8 million to Marvin Grimm, a man wrongfully convicted of murder and sexual assault. 

The proposed ordinance would move money from the Delinquent Tax Sales special fund to a new line item in the 2025-26 fiscal year budget to cover the restitution payment. 

“This action represents our commitment to upholding the law and is a necessary part of the healing process,” Council President Cynthia I. Newbille said in a statement on the ordinance. “It is a tragedy that this occurred in the first place, and it is my fervent hope that Mr. Grimm will be able to find the peace and support he deserves.” 

In 1976, Grimm pleaded guilty to the death of a 3-year-old boy who vanished from his apartment complex and was later found in the James River. He later said he pleaded guilty after a long, strenuous interrogation and was told he could face the death penalty if he did not. 

Grimm was eventually paroled in 2020, was exonerated of the crime through DNA testing, and won a writ of actual innocence last year. 

“While nothing can restore the decades of life he lost, we are committed to taking action and moving swiftly to see this through,” Mayor Danny Avula said in a statement after the meeting. “We look forward to Council’s consideration of the ordinance when they convene next month.” 

In March, the Virginia General Assembly passed a bill granting Grimm his restitution payment, as part of a state law compensating victims for judicial mistreatment that also requires local governments to match state compensation when both are guilty of misconduct. 

Richmond officials weren’t clear how or when they would handle the payment until Gov. Glenn Youngkin in July began calling on them to follow through on their obligation, threatening to withhold state funding unless the payment was made. 

“The Governor looks forward to the City of Richmond quickly meeting its legal obligation to Mr. Grimm,” Youngkin press secretary Peter Finocchio said in a statement. 

The City Council will review the ordinance at its Organizational Development Standing Committee meeting Tuesday, Sept. 2, with a public hearing and vote scheduled for Monday, Sept. 8.