Decades Later, Man's Conviction Overturned With Ex-Inmate's Help

Jabbar Collins, who was exonerated 16 years ago, never stopped fighting for his friend Allen Porter's release.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 5:07pm

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After nearly 34 years in prison, Allen Porter's double-murder conviction was overturned on Friday by a Queens judge, who found that his constitutional rights were violated and he was denied a fair trial. Jabbar Collins, who was exonerated of a murder conviction 16 years ago, never stopped working to help get his friend Porter released, recruiting lawyers and uncovering evidence to support Porter's claims of innocence.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges of overturning wrongful convictions, even with the help of a dedicated advocate like Jabbar Collins. It also raises questions about potential misconduct and lack of transparency in the Queens district attorney's office at the time of Porter's prosecution.

The details

Porter was convicted in 1991 of a double murder in a Queens housing project, while Collins was convicted in 1994 of a murder of an Orthodox rabbi in Brooklyn. The two met in prison and bonded over their claims of innocence. After Collins was exonerated in 2010, he vowed to help Porter and spent 27 years working to uncover evidence of Porter's innocence, including getting witnesses to recant testimony and finding documentation that prosecutors had withheld exculpatory evidence.

  • Porter has spent nearly 34 years behind bars.
  • Collins was exonerated in 2010 after serving 16 years in prison.
  • In 2023, Collins filed a motion seeking to overturn Porter's case.
  • On January 30, 2026, a Queens judge overturned Porter's conviction.

The players

Allen Porter

A man who has spent nearly 34 years in prison for a double murder conviction that was overturned on Friday.

Jabbar Collins

A man who was exonerated of a murder conviction 16 years ago and has spent the past 27 years working tirelessly to help get his friend Allen Porter released from prison.

Queens District Attorney's Office

The prosecutors' office that opposed Porter's quest for exoneration and described him as a hardened drug dealer, despite Collins' efforts to uncover evidence of Porter's innocence.

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What they’re saying

“I never stopped believing that the truth would come out.”

— Allen Porter (Statement issued by his lawyers)

“I do find that your constitutional rights were violated and you were denied a fair trial.”

— Judge Michelle A. Johnson (Queens Supreme Court)

“Between our faith and knowing Allen was falsely convicted, there was no way I could turn away.”

— Jabbar Collins (The New York Times)

What’s next

Prosecutors have not indicated if they will seek to retry Porter, but the judge agreed to release him on bail under house arrest and electronic monitoring while the case is reviewed.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges of overturning wrongful convictions, even with the tireless efforts of a dedicated advocate like Jabbar Collins. It also raises concerns about potential misconduct and lack of transparency in the Queens district attorney's office at the time of Porter's prosecution.