New York Man Freed After 33 Years Behind Bars in Double Murder Case
A Queens man has walked out of prison after a state judge overturned his double murder conviction, marking the latest chapter in a decades-long campaign to prove his innocence. Allen Porter, 53, was released on $400,000 bond as the Queens district attorney's office decides whether to hold a new trial.
In 1992, Porter was arrested and charged with the murders of Charles Bland and Sherrie Walker at the Woodside Houses in Queens. He was convicted and sentenced to 45 years to life in prison after prosecutors presented key evidence that has now been deemed withheld or coerced.
Judge Michelle Johnson ruled that prosecutors improperly suppressed key evidence from Porter's trial, including a witness statement identifying another suspect as the gunman and the names of five witnesses who were never shared with the defense. The prosecution had also attempted to justify its withholding of evidence, citing concerns about potential perjury or other issues that were not supported by credible evidence.
The decision in Porter's case is significant because it represents the culmination of a remarkable friendship between Porter and investigator Jabbar Collins, which began over 20 years ago at Green Haven Correctional Facility. Collins was exonerated of his own murder conviction and released in 2010 after cooperating with prosecutors to secure his release.
Porter's lawyers have long argued that their client was coerced into making false statements during his trial and that the prosecution withheld crucial evidence to support its case against him. The judge's ruling confirms that the prosecution did indeed withhold significant evidence from Porter, including a witness statement and the names of five additional witnesses who were never presented at trial.
The decision in Porter's case is also notable because it highlights the widespread failures of the Queens district attorney's office under late DA Richard Brown, who served from 1991 to 2019. Over the past decade, several murder convictions have been overturned due to his office's failure to turn over exculpatory evidence and other improper actions.
For Porter, the decision is a vindication after three decades in prison. His mother described the day of his release as "beautiful" and expressed her gratitude that she could finally take him home after 34 years of waiting.
A Queens man has walked out of prison after a state judge overturned his double murder conviction, marking the latest chapter in a decades-long campaign to prove his innocence. Allen Porter, 53, was released on $400,000 bond as the Queens district attorney's office decides whether to hold a new trial.
In 1992, Porter was arrested and charged with the murders of Charles Bland and Sherrie Walker at the Woodside Houses in Queens. He was convicted and sentenced to 45 years to life in prison after prosecutors presented key evidence that has now been deemed withheld or coerced.
Judge Michelle Johnson ruled that prosecutors improperly suppressed key evidence from Porter's trial, including a witness statement identifying another suspect as the gunman and the names of five witnesses who were never shared with the defense. The prosecution had also attempted to justify its withholding of evidence, citing concerns about potential perjury or other issues that were not supported by credible evidence.
The decision in Porter's case is significant because it represents the culmination of a remarkable friendship between Porter and investigator Jabbar Collins, which began over 20 years ago at Green Haven Correctional Facility. Collins was exonerated of his own murder conviction and released in 2010 after cooperating with prosecutors to secure his release.
Porter's lawyers have long argued that their client was coerced into making false statements during his trial and that the prosecution withheld crucial evidence to support its case against him. The judge's ruling confirms that the prosecution did indeed withhold significant evidence from Porter, including a witness statement and the names of five additional witnesses who were never presented at trial.
The decision in Porter's case is also notable because it highlights the widespread failures of the Queens district attorney's office under late DA Richard Brown, who served from 1991 to 2019. Over the past decade, several murder convictions have been overturned due to his office's failure to turn over exculpatory evidence and other improper actions.
For Porter, the decision is a vindication after three decades in prison. His mother described the day of his release as "beautiful" and expressed her gratitude that she could finally take him home after 34 years of waiting.
This whole thing just blows my mind... 33 years in prison for something that wasn't even fair? I mean, you got to see your friends get old and die while you're stuck behind bars? It's a travesty. The fact that the DA's office was so sloppy with evidence and then had the nerve to try to justify it is just ridiculous 
. I'm glad Allen Porter gets to finally be free, but I'm still not sure if this whole thing is enough justice for him...
! He was wrongly convicted back in '92 and spent 33 years behind bars 
. It's crazy to think he was coerced into giving false testimony and the DA's office hid crucial evidence from his trial 
. The fact that Judge Michelle Johnson saw through all this and ruled in his favor is a huge victory for justice 
. I hope Porter can finally get some closure and rebuild his life after such a long ordeal 
. It's also a shame that it took so many years, but at least we're moving forward now 
.
I mean, can you even believe this guy's been locked up for 33 years and now he's free? It's wild to think about how much time has passed and how many lives he's missed out on. The fact that the prosecution withheld evidence from his trial is just mind-blowing. It's not right that he had to spend so long in prison without a fair chance of justice. I'm glad the judge finally spoke up and gave Allen a second chance. His story is like something out of a movie, but it's real life for people who get caught up in these kinds of miscarriages of justice. 
. This guy's been locked up for 33 years and only now is he being told the truth? It's disgusting how many lives have been ruined by corrupt prosecutors. I mean, we've got a system in place to make sure justice is served but it's clear as day that's not always the case 
. And what's even more sad is that this guy's release is thanks to some investigator who was wrongly convicted himself and became his friend. It's like they're just passing the buck instead of actually fixing the problem 
. We need real change, not just lip service 
.
, collins was exonerated too, so now we got another dude walking free after 33 yrs 
, and the da's office is like 'oh noes let's have a new trial' 
, meanwhile porter's just trying to live his life again and be with his mom who's been waiting 34 yrs for this moment 
. it's all about time and evidence and justice and stuff...but honestly its just so frustrating 
. 33 years is a long time to be locked up without a fair trial, it’s like he was forgotten by society 
. The fact that the prosecution withheld key evidence and coerced witnesses into making false statements is just shocking 
. I mean, who does that? And now his mom gets to finally take care of him after 34 years, I hope she can rebuild her life and give him a second chance 
. It’s also a good reminder that even with the best intentions, our justice system isn’t perfect and there needs to be reform 
.
just think about it... if we didnt have the right to know whats going on in our own court system, how many ppl would be wrongly convicted? its like a big puzzle 
after all those years. his story is like a reminder that even in the darkest times, there's always hope for a new start 
and that the truth will come out eventually 
. Allen Porter was locked up for almost four decades just because the DA's office messed up and withheld evidence from his trial. And now, he's finally free 
.
. hope allen porter finds some peace now that he's finally free 
. 75% of witnesses in high-profile cases are either intimidated or coerced into lying 
. Porter's lawyers were spot on with their claims of coercion & withheld evidence. the stats don't lie, 85% of wrongful convictions are linked to faulty forensic science 
! 