Murderer freed due to legal mistake
Man’s Murder Conviction Overturned Due to Legal Error
A man convicted of murder in Rochester, New York, has had his conviction overturned due to a legal error committed prior to his trial.
Terrence Lewis was convicted in 2018 of the second-degree murder of 29-year-old Johnny Washington, whom Lewis killed in a drive-by shooting in 2015, the Democrat & Chronicle reported.
Prior to the trial, however, moving Lewis between correctional facilities violated a state law that required his indictment be thrown out.
Lewis was already in a Pennsylvania federal prison in 2017 for a federal drug conviction when he was indicted for Washington’s murder, the Chronicle reported. In January 2018, he was transported to the Monroe County Jail in New York and arraigned in Monroe County Court. Before the trial, however, Lewis was returned to the federal prison in Pennsylvania, where he stayed for two months before once again being sent to the Monroe County Jail ahead of his trial.
This transfer, a New York Supreme Court judge ruled, violated a provision of the federal Interstate Agreement on Detainer’s (IAD) law. That provision states that if a trial is not held before the prisoner is returned to his or her original place of imprisonment, the indictment must be thrown out.
“The harsh reality is that despite a jury of 12 members of our community determining, after hearing all of the evidence set before them, that defendant is guilty of the murder of Johnny C. Washington, this administrative jail decision made based on jail population and timing, not the law, unequivocally entitles defendant to dismissal of the murder in the second degree indictment with prejudice under the exacting requirements of the anti-shuttling provisions of the IAD,” Acting state Supreme Court Justice Stephen T. Miller ruled earlier this month, according to the Chronicle.
Monroe County Sheriff Todd K. Baxter said in a press release that he had apologized to Washington’s family.
“To the family and friends of Mr. Johnny Washington, there are no words to take away the pain you are justly feeling that undoubtedly comes with the lack of fairness being served based on this decision, which violates the principles of justice,” he said. “I extend my sincere apology.”
Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Amy Young told the Chronicle that this legal argument wasn’t raised before, during, or after Lewis’ trial. Lewis had been turned over in October 2020 to the New York State Department of Corrections to serve his 22-year-to-life sentence for Washington’s murder, and it wasn’t until this year that the issue of IAD violation was brought up.
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The sheriff’s office said it “immediately took corrective measures” in the wake of the Lewis decision, including:
- Conducted an audit pursuant to IADs to identify whether there were any individuals, currently or formerly incarcerated at the Monroe County Jail, dating back to 2018, in on an IAD; the audit revealed there were no other incarcerated individuals held on an IAD
- Conducted a review of our transfer procedures
- Provided training on the IAD Law to appropriate staff responsible for transferring incarcerated individuals; implemented a new procedure that indicates anytime MCSO transfers an incarcerated individual out of state, awaiting trial in Monroe County, MCSO notifies the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office and the judge assigned to the case before the relocation
Lewis was released from a maximum security state prison in New York earlier this month.
What responsibilities do law enforcement officials, judges, and lawyers have in ensuring that every step of the criminal justice process is conducted in accordance with the law?
Ington’s family for the error and expressed disappointment over the overturned conviction.
This legal error has brought attention to the importance of following proper protocols and procedures in the criminal justice system. While it is crucial to ensure that justice is served, it is equally important to respect and adhere to the laws that govern the process.
The decision to overturn Lewis’ conviction was based on a specific provision of the federal Interstate Agreement on Detainer’s (IAD) law. The provision states that if a trial is not held before the prisoner is returned to their original place of imprisonment, the indictment must be thrown out. In Lewis’ case, he was moved between correctional facilities multiple times, resulting in a violation of this provision.
Though this legal error led to the overturning of Lewis’ conviction, it does not absolve him of his alleged crime. It simply means that the proper procedures were not followed, and therefore, his indictment must be dismissed.
It is worth noting that this case highlights the complexities and challenges that can arise within the criminal justice system. The details and intricacies of the law can easily be overlooked or misinterpreted, leading to potential legal errors. It is the responsibility of all parties involved, including law enforcement officials, judges, and lawyers, to ensure that every step of the process is conducted in accordance with the law.
Furthermore, this case serves as a reminder that justice is a multifaceted concept. While it is important to hold individuals accountable for their actions, it is equally important to uphold the principles of fairness and due process. Mistakes and errors can occur, but it is through the recognition and rectification of these mistakes that the integrity of the criminal justice system can be upheld.
In conclusion, the overturning of Terrence Lewis’ murder conviction due to a legal error highlights the significance of adhering to proper protocols and procedures in the criminal justice system. It serves as a reminder that justice is not a simple concept but rather a complex process that necessitates the careful application of the law. The case of Terrence Lewis underscores the importance of maintaining the highest standards of integrity and fairness throughout the criminal justice system, ultimately ensuring that justice is carried out effectively and accurately.
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