When William Allen, a resident of Brockton, was just 20 years old, he made a terrible, life-changing decision. A childhood friend asked him to join him in robbing someone’s apartment. Tragically, Will agreed. As a result, William was convicted of felony murder because the jury found that he had participated in an armed robbery with another man in which that man stabbed and killed the victim in a fit of rage while William was in another room.
The district attorney offered the two men a deal: forgo a trial and plead guilty to second degree murder and receive a sentence that allows for the possibility of parole after 15 years. The man who committed the murder took the deal. Young and naïve, William didn’t believe that he could possibly be convicted of murder when he did not kill anyone. He was wrong. In Massachusetts at that time, the felony murder doctrine held that when someone dies during the commission of felony, everyone involved in the felony is charged with first degree murder. While his friend took the plea bargain, Will was convicted of felony murder and received a life sentence with no possibility of parole. This meant that Will would die in prison.
The man who committed the murder was released 12 years ago. The commutation of his sentence is Will’s only hope. Without it he will grow old and die in prison.
As years went by, Will matured and became a man who is respected and admired by all who know him. 27 years have passed. Will is an extraordinary person, a man of faith who is generous, kind, and compassionate. He has participated in every program available to him. For many years he has been working as part of the prison’s Companion Program, assisting men diagnosed with serious mental illness. He has changed the lives of many men.
This BIC campaign is working to raise public awareness and galvanize support for Governor Baker granting William Allen a commutation. No one is more deserving of a second chance. If allowed to leave prison, Will would return to his family’s home in Brockton with a great deal to offer: a strong work ethic, skills he learned in prison including becoming a licensed barber and a certified food service handler, a wonderful sense of humor, someone who would be first in line to help a neighbor in need, a faith-filled church member, and much, much more.
The district attorney offered the two men a deal: forgo a trial and plead guilty to second degree murder and receive a sentence that allows for the possibility of parole after 15 years. The man who committed the murder took the deal. Young and naïve, William didn’t believe that he could possibly be convicted of murder when he did not kill anyone. He was wrong. In Massachusetts at that time, the felony murder doctrine held that when someone dies during the commission of felony, everyone involved in the felony is charged with first degree murder. While his friend took the plea bargain, Will was convicted of felony murder and received a life sentence with no possibility of parole. This meant that Will would die in prison.
The man who committed the murder was released 12 years ago. The commutation of his sentence is Will’s only hope. Without it he will grow old and die in prison.
As years went by, Will matured and became a man who is respected and admired by all who know him. 27 years have passed. Will is an extraordinary person, a man of faith who is generous, kind, and compassionate. He has participated in every program available to him. For many years he has been working as part of the prison’s Companion Program, assisting men diagnosed with serious mental illness. He has changed the lives of many men.
This BIC campaign is working to raise public awareness and galvanize support for Governor Baker granting William Allen a commutation. No one is more deserving of a second chance. If allowed to leave prison, Will would return to his family’s home in Brockton with a great deal to offer: a strong work ethic, skills he learned in prison including becoming a licensed barber and a certified food service handler, a wonderful sense of humor, someone who would be first in line to help a neighbor in need, a faith-filled church member, and much, much more.