Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Two men convicted of murder in the 1970s have seen their convictions overturned and their indictments vacated in court Wednesday.
Darrell Boyd served 28 years in prison and is on parole for life. John Walker spent 21 years in prison. The two were convicted of killing William Crawford on Fillmore Avenue in 1976 as Crawford left the Golden Nugget Inn.
Attorney Paul Cambria has been going over their case and tells WBEN, "We were able to convince Judge (Christopher) Burns that material evidence was missing which would have made a difference, and as a result of that he vacated the conviction."
Cambria adds a main witness recanted some testimony and others have since passed away.
John Walker Sr. and Darryl Boyd speak after having their 1976 murder convictions vacated. DA John Flynn will address the case this afternoon but the two have maintained their innocence. pic.twitter.com/VcWrMGoPA3
— WBEN NewsRadio 930AM (@NewsRadio930) August 18, 2021
Darrell Boyd was ecstatic when hearing the news. "We did it," he shouted at MLK Park Wednesday afternoon. "We're great now. I'm probably going to kiss a tree now," says Boyd. Boyd says he had his parole report day Wednesday, and it felt different. "I called in and said peace," adds Boyd.
Walker was more low-key. "I'm very thrilled. It's like having a goal you set when you're young and you finally complete that goal," says Walker, who notes the goal has been completed. Walker says ever since he and Boyd were arrested, "we've been wiggling and struggling and doing everything to get out from under the conviction. Today, we got out from under it and while my excitement isn't as loud as Darrell, my mood is what's next, where do we go from here."
Walker says the system can't give him back to where he was at 16. "If I was to give you $1 million, would you give up everything and spend one year in Attica? Well, if you ain't willing, how about doing a million for every year we spent under conviction," challenges Walker.
Erie County DA John Flynn challenges the notion the photograph in question exists. "It made the allegation this office was responsible for hiding evidence, and not turning over evidence, which is unequivocally false, a lie," says Flynn. "This office never hid any evidence, kept anything secret at all."
Flynn says the photograph doesn't necessarily clear the men. "There were five individuals involved, and one of the five could have walked away for any reason. So, a photograph that shows one set of footprints doesn't mean anything. But it doesn't exist," says Flynn.
Flynn however says it is impractical for a new jury trial. "We can't find half the files. Half the witnesses are dead. One of the witnesses won't cooperate anymore. There's no way I can try this case again," says Flynn.
