Juan Rivera , 42 , was awarded damages in highest individual settlement given in a wrongful conviction case in U.S. history , his attorneys said on Friday . Rivera was tried three times , first time at trial , and was acquitted in 2012 when conviction was reversed for rape and murder of Holly Staker of marijuana . He plans to go to college and study business management and accounting , and also pay for his mother 's medical bills .
Juan Rivera , 42 , was awarded money in highest individual settlement given in a wrongful conviction case in U.S. history , his attorneys said on Friday . Rivera was tried three times , first time at 19 , and was cleared in 2012 when conviction was reversed for rape and murder of Holly Staker of Waukegan . He plans to go to college and study business management and accounting , and help pay for his mother 's medical bills .