Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Two members of the "Buffalo 5" are filing a federal civil rights lawsuit. They say this comes 45 years after they were wrongfully prosecuted and convicted of a 1976 murder they did not commit.
On Jan. 3, 1976, William Crawford was robbed and beaten to death across from the Golden Nugget Tavern in Buffalo. Attorney Joel Rudin says police developed strong leads the crime was committed by Crawford's neighbor.
"Detectives noted in their formal reports that the neighbor saw Crawford flashing a lot of money at the bar. The neighbor left the bar with Crawford after volunteering to walk him home," said Rudin on Thursday at the foot of Buffalo City Hall.
Rudin says the neighbor made false statements to police about his actions that night and acted suspiciously.
"The neighbor lost his keys and a set of keys, not belonging to Crawford were found by Crawford's body," he said.
Police photographed a single set of footprints in the snow leading from Crawford's backyard to the neighbor's.
Rudin, however, says police brought a case against John Walker, Darryl Boyd, Tyrone Woodruff, Darryn Gibson and Floyd Martin.
"Each of them said they had been socializing with friends at the Glenny Projects until 11:30 p.m. when Walker and Woodruff took a cab home," Rudin said.
Rudin adds police reports indicated Crawford left the bar minutes after two of the five already left in a taxi.
Rudin continued by adding that police coerced Woodruff to change his story.
"They isolated him from his family, and falsely told him his friends were implicating him," Rudin said.
Rudin says that police were threatening to send Woodruff to prison for life. But if he turned on them, he would get immunity. Rudin also says police used a phony anonymous call implicating the five.
Rudin adds police did not disclose evidence implicating the neighbor, the taxicab evidence or Woodruff's or Walker's statements on being in a taxicab before the murder.
Boyd spent 28 years in prison, while Walker spent 22 years, and Rudin says they have suffered mental distress and emotional trauma.
"That is beyond comprehension," he said.
Martin was acquitted, and Gibson died eight months after his release from being behind bars for 32 years.