A Queens Man Walks Free After Three Decades Behind Bars
In a stunning reversal of fortune, a Queens man has had his double murder conviction overturned after 33 years in prison. Allen Porter, now 53, was released from custody on $400,000 bond pending further proceedings.
The decision, handed down by State Judge Michelle Johnson, is the latest chapter in a saga that began nearly three decades ago when Porter was arrested in connection with the drug-related murders of Charles Bland and Sherrie Walker at the Woodside Houses. Despite a mountainous volume of undisclosed evidence being withheld from his defense team, Porter maintained his innocence through tireless advocacy.
Johnson's ruling cites "substantial" and even "alarming" withholding of key evidence by the prosecution, including witness statements identifying another suspect as the gunman and the names of five witnesses that were never shared with the defense. The Judge described this as a "pattern of concealment," emphasizing that it was not just the amount of undisclosed evidence but also the manner in which it was handled.
Porter's case has long been marked by an unlikely friendship between him and former investigator Jabbar Collins, who began their relationship while both were incarcerated at Green Haven Correctional Facility. Collins was exonerated of his own murder conviction and released in 2010. The two men became close friends and collaborators, with Collins serving as Porter's primary advocate.
The decision by the Queens District Attorney's office to overturn Porter's conviction marks another chapter in a long history of mishandled cases under the late Richard Brown, who served from 1991 until his death in 2019. Over the past decade, numerous murder convictions have been overturned due to improper actions by the office, resulting in costly lawsuit settlements for taxpayers.
Porter's case has become a symbol of systemic failure and injustice. "Allen Porter's case confirms everything that has come out in other cases," said Karen Newirth, one of Porter's lawyers. "This is how business was done under Brown, that this was not an anomaly."
With the release of Porter from custody, his mother Lula Ward-Brewer expressed gratitude and relief, stating, "It's a beautiful day... I have been waiting 34 years for this day. I am relieved and grateful to take him home with me."
In a stunning reversal of fortune, a Queens man has had his double murder conviction overturned after 33 years in prison. Allen Porter, now 53, was released from custody on $400,000 bond pending further proceedings.
The decision, handed down by State Judge Michelle Johnson, is the latest chapter in a saga that began nearly three decades ago when Porter was arrested in connection with the drug-related murders of Charles Bland and Sherrie Walker at the Woodside Houses. Despite a mountainous volume of undisclosed evidence being withheld from his defense team, Porter maintained his innocence through tireless advocacy.
Johnson's ruling cites "substantial" and even "alarming" withholding of key evidence by the prosecution, including witness statements identifying another suspect as the gunman and the names of five witnesses that were never shared with the defense. The Judge described this as a "pattern of concealment," emphasizing that it was not just the amount of undisclosed evidence but also the manner in which it was handled.
Porter's case has long been marked by an unlikely friendship between him and former investigator Jabbar Collins, who began their relationship while both were incarcerated at Green Haven Correctional Facility. Collins was exonerated of his own murder conviction and released in 2010. The two men became close friends and collaborators, with Collins serving as Porter's primary advocate.
The decision by the Queens District Attorney's office to overturn Porter's conviction marks another chapter in a long history of mishandled cases under the late Richard Brown, who served from 1991 until his death in 2019. Over the past decade, numerous murder convictions have been overturned due to improper actions by the office, resulting in costly lawsuit settlements for taxpayers.
Porter's case has become a symbol of systemic failure and injustice. "Allen Porter's case confirms everything that has come out in other cases," said Karen Newirth, one of Porter's lawyers. "This is how business was done under Brown, that this was not an anomaly."
With the release of Porter from custody, his mother Lula Ward-Brewer expressed gratitude and relief, stating, "It's a beautiful day... I have been waiting 34 years for this day. I am relieved and grateful to take him home with me."
So they finally got it right after all these years 
. It's crazy that it took so long, but at least justice is being served in the end. The fact that there was a "pattern of concealment" by the prosecution is just shocking - I mean, who does that? 
And poor Allen Porter has had to spend 33 years of his life behind bars for something he might not even be guilty of. It's heartbreaking. I can see why his case has become a symbol of systemic failure and injustice 
. On the bright side, his mom is finally going to get to spend some quality time with her son after all these years - that's gotta feel amazing 
.
A guy spends like 33 years behind bars for a crime he says he didn't do, and then the prosecution comes crawling out saying they withheld evidence from his defense team? It just doesn't add up. And now we gotta pay for all these costly lawsuits because of it? 
I mean, I'm glad Allen Porter's mom is finally getting to see her son again, but this whole thing is a huge mess. It makes you wonder how many other people have been wrongfully convicted over the years... 
and its not like he was innocent or anything but cmon people make mistakes and it looks like the justice system did this time. I mean seriously how many times gotta we see cases get overturned cuz of prosecutorial misconduct? 
It's all about accountability, people need 2 step up 2 the plate! 
The fact that his mom had 2 wait 34 yrs 4 him 2 b released is just heartbreaking 
Oh man, that's such a huge weight off Allen Porter's shoulders! 33 years in prison is just unimaginable, you feel? It's like, what even happened back then? All those years locked up, and now... freedom! 
His story is like, super inspiring, you know? The friendship with Jabbar Collins, the fight for justice... it's like, a reminder that sometimes, things can change, and people can get a second chance. 
And his mom's reaction? Absolutely heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time... I'm sure she's just overjoyed to have him home safe and sound. 
hope justice gets served this time around... all those years of him fighting for his life, it's like, what even was the point of all that 
& poor Lula Ward-Brewer, 34 yrs of waiting for her son to come home, that's just heartbreaking 
. I mean, a pattern of concealment is a big deal... but what if he's still guilty and we're just letting him out on a technicality? 
. But honestly, it's kinda cool to see two people become close friends while they were both locked up. Maybe this whole thing can be seen as a second chance for him... but at the same time, I'm worried he might not be able to readjust to life on the outside 
.
. But hey, I guess it's good that Porter's mom can finally have some closure and get to spend some quality time with her son 
. Fingers crossed everything works out for him this time around 
.
At least he gets a second chance now. Poor guy's been through hell. Glad his mom is finally getting closure 
the fact that a "pattern of concealment" went on for so long is just mind-boggling... it's like, what even is happening behind these walls? 
can't believe this is finally happening after 33 yrs 
it's a shame that this has happened so many times in the past but at least justice is being served for Allen Porter and his mom 
or that some of their statements were false 
this whole thing is just a huge mess and it's sad that so many lives got affected because of it 
. But it gets even crazier because the prosecution held onto all this evidence from his trial and they didn't share it with his lawyer, which is super sketchy. I mean what if they found out new info that would've proven his innocence? It's like they were hiding something and now he's getting a second chance 
.
... 33 years too late for poor Sherrie Walker and Charles Bland 
. I guess it's a good thing justice is being served, but at the same time, it's just heartbreaking for all the people who were wrongfully convicted in the first place 
and hopefully other ppl who were wrongly convicted will get their freedom too 
. Like, what's up with all these high-profile cases being overturned due to "substantial" withholding of evidence? It sounds like a bunch of skeletons being dragged out of the closet and then conveniently swept under the rug 
. And don't even get me started on this whole thing about the Queens District Attorney's office mishandling cases... it smells like cover-up to me 
.
I'm glad Porter is finally free, but you can't just sweep this under the rug.
We can't just keep passing the buck and saying "it was an anomaly." That's not good enough. We need systemic change, for sure.