Wrongly Convicted Man Freed After 19 Years in Prison

A New York man's nearly two-decade ordeal behind bars comes to an end after his conviction for a robbery he didn't commit is overturned

Background of the Case

Kenneth Windley, a 61-year-old New York man, was freed from prison after spending 19 years behind bars for a crime he maintained he did not commit. Windley's conviction was linked to a 2005 robbery in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood, where two men robbed a 70-year-old man of $485 in cash and two blank, unsigned money orders. The larger money order, valued at $542, was used by Windley to buy his mother a stove, unknowingly connecting him to the crime.

Investigation and Conviction

Windley was arrested after the victim identified him as one of the men involved in the robbery. At his 2007 trial, Windley denied any involvement in the crime, testifying that he had purchased the money order from two men outside an appliance store for $400. He claimed he believed he was helping the men, who he knew were "hustlers," by buying the order. Despite his testimony, Windley was convicted of second-degree robbery and sentenced to 20 years to life in prison due to his previous felony convictions.

Exoneration and Release

The Brooklyn District Attorney's office re-examined Windley's case and concluded that he was not involved in the crime. The office's investigation was aided by Windley, who had tracked down the two men involved in the robbery. The men, who were incarcerated for a series of similar robberies, confirmed that Windley was not involved in the Crown Heights robbery. Their accounts were corroborated with recorded prison phone calls and emails. As a result, a Brooklyn judge tossed Windley's conviction, and he was released from prison. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez stated, "It has taken many years, but today we are able to validate his account, release him from prison and exonerate his name."

Aftermath and Reaction

Upon his release, Windley expressed relief that his name had been cleared, stating, "It cost me 20 years, but they said they corrected it now. So that's all that matters." Windley's case highlights the importance of re-examining convictions and the need for continued efforts to prevent wrongful convictions. The Brooklyn District Attorney's office has taken steps to correct the mistake, providing a measure of justice to Windley after nearly two decades of imprisonment. As Windley begins to rebuild his life, his story serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges of the justice system.

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