Queens man's double murder conviction tossed after 33 years in prison

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.
 
๐Ÿค” 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 ๐Ÿ™„. 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...
 
I'm so relieved for Allen Porter ๐Ÿ˜Œ! He was wrongly convicted back in '92 and spent 33 years behind bars ๐Ÿคฏ. It's crazy to think he was coerced into giving false testimony and the DA's office hid crucial evidence from his trial ๐Ÿšจ. The fact that Judge Michelle Johnson saw through all this and ruled in his favor is a huge victory for justice ๐Ÿ‘ฎโ€โ™€๏ธ. I hope Porter can finally get some closure and rebuild his life after such a long ordeal ๐Ÿ’•. It's also a shame that it took so many years, but at least we're moving forward now ๐ŸŒŸ.
 
๐Ÿค 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. ๐ŸŒŸ
 
I'm so done with all these false convictions ๐Ÿšซ๐Ÿ‘Ž. 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 ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ. 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 ๐Ÿ˜ฉ. We need real change, not just lip service ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ.
 
can u believe this? another case where the system messed up big time ๐Ÿคฏ, allen porter spent like half his life behind bars for a double murder he didn't even do... i mean what is going on with these prosecutors and judges they gotta step it up their game โš ๏ธ, collins was exonerated too, so now we got another dude walking free after 33 yrs ๐Ÿ•ฐ๏ธ, and the da's office is like 'oh noes let's have a new trial' ๐Ÿ‘€, meanwhile porter's just trying to live his life again and be with his mom who's been waiting 34 yrs for this moment ๐Ÿ˜Š. it's all about time and evidence and justice and stuff...but honestly its just so frustrating ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ
 
man this is crazy ๐Ÿคฏ allen porter was locked up for like 33 years and it's all because of some stuff that went down in court but it turns out the prosecutor's office messed up big time they were supposed to share evidence with his lawyers but they didn't so now he's finally free after all these years i feel bad for him though, he must be super grateful to have his freedom back and to get to spend more time with his mom who's been waiting for him for 34 years
 
I donโ€™t usually comment but I just can't help feeling bad for this guy Allen Porter, heโ€™s been through so much ๐Ÿค•. 33 years is a long time to be locked up without a fair trial, itโ€™s like he was forgotten by society ๐Ÿ˜”. The fact that the prosecution withheld key evidence and coerced witnesses into making false statements is just shocking ๐Ÿ’ฅ. 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 ๐Ÿคž. Itโ€™s also a good reminder that even with the best intentions, our justice system isnโ€™t perfect and there needs to be reform ๐Ÿ’ก.
 
๐Ÿ™ 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 ๐Ÿค” and sometimes a piece gets left out or hidden... ๐Ÿ‘Ž and when that happens, justice isnt served anymore ๐Ÿšซ

so glad Allen Porter got a second chance at life ๐Ÿ™Œ after all those years. his story is like a reminder that even in the darkest times, there's always hope for a new start ๐Ÿ’ซ and that the truth will come out eventually ๐Ÿ”
 
Man, this is just crazy ๐Ÿคฏ. I mean, who's 33 years behind bars for something they didn't even do? It's like a real-life episode of 'When They See Us' ๐Ÿ˜ฑ. 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 ๐ŸŒŸ. But the thing is, it took him and his lawyer an entire 20 years to get his day in court and prove that justice wasn't served back then. It's like a system failure ๐Ÿšจ. My heart goes out to Porter and his family - it must be amazing to see your loved one finally walking free ๐Ÿ’•. And I have to wonder, what took so long for the DA's office to own up to their mistakes? It's just sad that this kind of thing keeps happening ๐Ÿ’”.
 
๐Ÿคฏ just heard about Allen Porter getting outta jail after being behind bars for like 33 yrs... unbelievable ๐Ÿคฏ so much has changed since '92, but it's crazy how some things never change, right? DA office still gotta figure out what to do with him now that the truth is finally coming out ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ Porter's got a rep on the streets already, not sure if he'll be able to turn his life around after all these years... but it's a good start.
 
just seen this news and i'm shaking my head ๐Ÿคฏ another case where innocent people are paying for crimes they didn't commit. 33 yrs is way too long for one person to be locked up, it's just not right. all these years i've been saying the same thing about this platform - we need to stand by our users and make sure their rights are protected. justice should be blind, but sometimes it feels like justice is being served through loopholes in the system ๐Ÿ˜’. hope allen porter finds some peace now that he's finally free ๐Ÿ™
 
๐Ÿค” just saw this news about Allen Porter being released from prison after 33 yrs! stats don't lie, but in US, 1 in 25 convictions are overturned due to new evidence ๐Ÿšง๐Ÿ‘ฎโ€โ™‚๏ธ. 75% of witnesses in high-profile cases are either intimidated or coerced into lying ๐Ÿ˜ฉ. Porter's case is a prime example of this. 20 yrs in prison for a wrongly convicted man? that's just not right ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ. but what's even more concerning is the DA's office failure to turn over exculpatory evidence, leading to multiple convictions being overturned due to their own mistakes ๐Ÿ“. 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 ๐Ÿงฌ๐Ÿ’‰!

graph:
๐Ÿ“Š
Wrongful Conviction Rate: 1 in 25
๐Ÿšง
Witness Intimidation Rate: 75%
๐Ÿ‘ฎโ€โ™‚๏ธ
Coercion in High-Profile Cases: 50%
๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ
DA Office Failure to Turn Over Evidence: 80%
 
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