New York Man Walks Free After 33 Years Behind Bars for Double Murder
A Queens man convicted of double murder in 1995 has had his conviction overturned after 33 years in prison, thanks to a remarkable friendship with an investigator who was exonerated of his own wrongful conviction. Allen Porter, 53, was released on $400,000 bond while the Queens district attorney's office decides whether to hold a new trial.
Porter's original trial was built on flawed testimony and withheld evidence, according to prosecutors who suppressed key evidence, including a witness statement identifying another suspect as the gunman, as well as the names of five witnesses that were never shared with the defense.
In 1992, Porter was arrested in connection with the drug-related murders of Charles Bland and Sherrie Walker at the Woodside Houses. He was convicted and sentenced to 45 years to life but served over three decades before being released.
A remarkable friendship between Porter and investigator Jabbar Collins began in prison around 1998 when both were incarcerated. Collins was exonerated of his own murder conviction and released in 2010. The two men became close after meeting while working at Green Haven Correctional Facility's chapel, where they would often worship together.
Collins promised Porter that he "would not forget him" if he won his release for wrongful conviction in Brooklyn in 2010. After Porter's hearing, Collins said Allen Porter lost most of his life due to a conviction built on coercion, concealment, and constitutional violations. He added that today Porter walks free but the injustice done to him cannot be undone.
The reversal is the result of Collins' help in obtaining evidence from the Queens DA's office after years of efforts by Porter's legal team. The case represents another blemish for the legacy of late Queens DA Richard Brown, who served from 1991 to 2019 and oversaw a series of wrongful convictions due to improper actions by his office.
It emerged that one witness said Porter planned the murders only decided to cooperate with authorities after being threatened with a charge of accessory to murder. Additionally, another witness would have discredited that person's account, while five previously unknown witnesses came forward including a man who had said he saw it [the shooting], didn’t see Al [Porter] there.
The judge’s decision caps Porter's decades-long campaign for proof of his innocence with Collins' help, and Lula Ward-Brewer, Porter's mother, was finally able to take him home after 34 years of waiting.
A Queens man convicted of double murder in 1995 has had his conviction overturned after 33 years in prison, thanks to a remarkable friendship with an investigator who was exonerated of his own wrongful conviction. Allen Porter, 53, was released on $400,000 bond while the Queens district attorney's office decides whether to hold a new trial.
Porter's original trial was built on flawed testimony and withheld evidence, according to prosecutors who suppressed key evidence, including a witness statement identifying another suspect as the gunman, as well as the names of five witnesses that were never shared with the defense.
In 1992, Porter was arrested in connection with the drug-related murders of Charles Bland and Sherrie Walker at the Woodside Houses. He was convicted and sentenced to 45 years to life but served over three decades before being released.
A remarkable friendship between Porter and investigator Jabbar Collins began in prison around 1998 when both were incarcerated. Collins was exonerated of his own murder conviction and released in 2010. The two men became close after meeting while working at Green Haven Correctional Facility's chapel, where they would often worship together.
Collins promised Porter that he "would not forget him" if he won his release for wrongful conviction in Brooklyn in 2010. After Porter's hearing, Collins said Allen Porter lost most of his life due to a conviction built on coercion, concealment, and constitutional violations. He added that today Porter walks free but the injustice done to him cannot be undone.
The reversal is the result of Collins' help in obtaining evidence from the Queens DA's office after years of efforts by Porter's legal team. The case represents another blemish for the legacy of late Queens DA Richard Brown, who served from 1991 to 2019 and oversaw a series of wrongful convictions due to improper actions by his office.
It emerged that one witness said Porter planned the murders only decided to cooperate with authorities after being threatened with a charge of accessory to murder. Additionally, another witness would have discredited that person's account, while five previously unknown witnesses came forward including a man who had said he saw it [the shooting], didn’t see Al [Porter] there.
The judge’s decision caps Porter's decades-long campaign for proof of his innocence with Collins' help, and Lula Ward-Brewer, Porter's mother, was finally able to take him home after 34 years of waiting.
. The fact that the DA's office suppressed evidence and used coerced testimony against Porter is just heartbreaking. I mean, what kind of system lets people rot in prison like this? It's not like he was going anywhere anyway... poor guy was just trying to survive his time inside. Anyway, I'm glad Jabbar Collins stepped up for him when no one else would 
. This case is a total tragedy, and I hope the DA's office takes responsibility for their mistakes and works to prevent this from happening again 
.
also can we talk about how messed up the DA's office was during Richard Brown's time? 
the fact that there were witnesses who were withheld from the defense is just insane. anyhoo, I'm glad Porter gets to meet his mom and start a new life now 
Jabbar Collins is literally a hero, I'm so glad his efforts finally led to Porter's release 
But at the same time, it's heartbreaking for the families of the victims... and the fact that we still have corrupt DA offices like the one in Queens is just unacceptable 
! 33 years behind bars is an eternity, and I can only imagine how tough it must have been for him and his family 
. It's amazing how Jabbar Collins' friendship with Porter helped bring this case to light again - it just goes to show that the power of human connection can make all the difference in our lives 
. My heart goes out to Lula Ward-Brewer, Porter's mom, who must have been waiting for so long to see her son walk free again 
Porter spent over 3/4 of his life locked up for a crime he didn't commit...it's wild how flawed testimony & withheld evidence messed him over so bad. Good job to Jabbar Collins for helping get new evidence & getting Allen Porter's name cleared 
33 yrs in prison and still not guilty? it's mind blowin' that a witness came forward after bein threatened with a charge lol what if this was the case of 'the innocent man' from that movie i always wondered how they found that guy... anyway, all credit to jabbar collins for stickin by allen porter like that 
400k bond is insane btw...
what's really sad is the DA's office messed up so badly back in the day... it's like they thought they could get away with coercion and concealment 
that guy literally saved his life after being wrongfully convicted himself 
it's a crazy outcome but justice is served in a weird way, right? 
especially when you think about the power of forgiveness & second chances! Porter's story is definitely one for the books, and I'm glad his mom gets to experience happiness again with him finally being free 