“Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.”
Bryan Stevenson’s words from his book Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption are the same words Patriots captain Devin McCourty invoked on the steps of the Massachusetts State House Monday afternoon where he and community leaders gathered Monday to urge Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker to commute the felony murder conviction of William Allen.
Allen, a Brockton native, has been in prison since 1997 after pleading not guilty to first-degree murder charges in the death of Pervis Bester. Allen’s co-defendant, Rolando Perry, was the one who stabbed Bester and was released on parole 11 years ago. At the time, the law stated that everyone who participates in a felony during which a person is killed is guilty of first degree murder. Per mass.gov, 2017’s Commonwealth vs. Brownrevised the idea that everyone who participates in a felony during which a person is killed is guilty of first degree murder. Under today’s law, Allen would not be sentenced to life with no parole.
Last week the Advisory Board of Pardons recommended to Baker that Allen’s felony murder conviction be commuted to second-degree murder, making him eligible to be released from prison on parole. The decision is supported by Bester's daughter and by Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz.
“So Governor Baker, I would never presume to know more than you in affairs of the Commonwealth...I just want to make sure you knew more about William and you had the opportunity to get to know his story the same way I’ve gotten to know his story, so maybe you can see his purpose and maybe he’ll be a source of inspiration for you like he’s been for me,” McCourty said.
.@Patriots player Devin McCourty stands with @ACLU_Mass Rahsaan Hall, Brockton Interfaith Community (BIC) and Atty’s calls for clemency in the 1990s case of William Allen. @boston25
— Crystal Haynes (@crystalhaynes) April 7, 2021
My full report at 6pm. pic.twitter.com/STNANVMbOI
McCourty and his wife, Michelle, lost their daughter Mia on May 24, 2020 after Michelle’s pregnancy resulted in a stillbirth.
“[Allen] helped me lift myself out of a dark year. And a man who will continue to change lives no matter where he lays his head at night,” McCourty said.
McCourty first met Allen on a zoom call this past April.
“The most important thing I took away from that conversation was that William had a purpose. I was looking at a man who made a terrible mistake at 20 years old.”
The decision by members of the Advisory Board of Pardons to recommend commutation was based on Allen’s acceptance of his role in Bester’s murder and his rehabilitation. In fact, Allen is involved in prison ministry and volunteers at Bridgewater State Hospital assisting with care for the mentally ill.
“What he talked about with me was a hope and a dream to have an opportunity to steer young people away from making the same mistakes he had made.”
The choice now lies with Baker, who has not issued a pardon or commutation during his tenure as Governor of Massachusetts. A commutation has not been issued by a Massachusetts governor since 1997.
“I hope and pray you decide the best place for him to lay his head is outside of prison,” McCourty concluded.
