Wrongly convicted woman declared innocent

TORRANCE, Calif. — A woman who spent 17 years in a California prison for a murder she didn't commit has been declared factually innocent.

Judge Mark Arnold made the ruling Friday in Los Angeles County Superior Court in the case of Susan Mellen.

City News Service says Mellen is grateful for the ruling that clears the way for her to claim about $600,000 from the state in compensation.

Arnold previously overturned Mellen's conviction in the 1997 beating death of a homeless man. Her conviction was based on the testimony of a notorious liar. Prosecutors agreed Mellen was wrongly convicted.

Mellen's attorney says the 59-year-old Gardena woman left prison broke. Mellen can now claim $100 for every day she spent behind bars.