Terrence Lewis: Killer of father of three freed after law enforcement mixes up prisons in baffling blunder

Lewis had been released from Five Points Correctional Facility due to a grievous error by law enforcement
PUBLISHED FEB 16, 2024
Terrence Lewis walked out of Five Points Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison in Romulu, NY (Rochester PD)
Terrence Lewis walked out of Five Points Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison in Romulu, NY (Rochester PD)

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK: Terrence Lewis, convicted in the murder of a father of three in Rochester, NY, has been released from Five Points Correctional Facility due to a grievous error by law enforcement.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the vacated conviction, citing an accidental violation of the anti-shuttling provision of the Interstate Agreement on Detainers Law.

The federal law, established in 1970, mandates that once a prisoner is moved to the state of the pending indictment, the case must be completely resolved before their return. However, in Lewis's case, this crucial legal provision was overlooked.

Sheriff Todd K Baxter expressed his dismay, stating that the decision to release a murderer based on a technicality 'violates the principles of justice' and highlights a 'lack of fairness' within the system.

Rochester street shooting victim Johnny Washington

Monroe County Supreme Court Judge Stephen T Miller ruled on Feb 5 that the law enforcement mistake occurred when Lewis, already serving a sentence in a federal prison in Pennsylvania for unrelated crimes, was indicted for Johnny Washington’s murder more than two years after the incident, as per People.

Johnny C. Washington was fatally shot May 26, 2015 in a drive-by shooting in Rochester, N.Y. (Gun Memorial)
Johnny C. Washington was fatally shot May 26, 2015 in a drive-by shooting in Rochester, N.Y. (Gun Memorial)

The tragedy dates back to May 26, 2015, when the victim was fatally shot on a Rochester street. Photographs on Gunmemorial.org depict a young man with three children, and his family is left grappling with the injustice of Lewis's unexpected release.

Critical error leads to convicted murderer's release

The timeline reveals a series of missteps, with Lewis being transported from USP Allenwood in Pennsylvania to New York’s Monroe County Jail in January 2018 for arraignment. Subsequently, he returned to Pennsylvania in May while the murder charge was still pending in New York, violating federal law.

Lewis's journey continued with his return to New York for the murder trial in July 2018, leading to his conviction in October 2018. However, he returned to Pennsylvania that December to complete his federal sentence, officially beginning his New York State Department of Corrections sentence in October 2020.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, realizing the potential release due to the interstate prison mix-up earlier this year, conducted an audit and determined no similar incidents since 2018. Corrective measures, including a review of transfer procedures and staff training, have been implemented.

Apologetic Sheriff acknowledges family's pain

Despite efforts to rectify the situation, the sheriff’s office has faced criticism for the oversight. The press release stated their attempt to contact Washington's family, yet no reaction from the family has been disclosed.

Sheriff Baxter conveyed a sincere apology to Washington's address, “There are no words to take away the pain you are justly feeling that undoubtedly comes with the lack of fairness being served based on this decision, which violates the principles of justice. I extend my sincere apology.” In the end, Lewis served more than three years for Johnny's murder.

MORE STORIES

Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby said that the conditions during Tyler Robinson's arrest were relaxed and comfortable
8 hours ago
DeCarlos Brown Jr, who is accused of fatally stabbing Iryna Zarutska, confessed the reason for the attack in a phone call from jail to his sister
7 days ago
The former Centerville Mayor is facing three class A felony murder charges, each carrying a minimum sentence of death or life imprisonment
Jun 1, 2024
In a recent interview, Oregon murder suspect Jesse Lee Calhoun's ex-girlfriend, Krista Sinor, recalled his fits of rage
May 19, 2024
Michael Francis described John-Paul Miller as someone who tried to buy love and expected something in return for his favors
May 19, 2024
Ryan Babcock has been indicted on charges of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault, three counts of reckless endangerment, and vandalism
May 19, 2024
A student at Kennesaw State University in Georgia was fatally shot by an armed intruder on May 18
May 19, 2024
Jaylin Brazier admitted he panicked and disposed of Zion Foster's body in a dumpster after she died suddenly while they were smoking marijuana
May 19, 2024
Devin Montgomery drew a firearm and discharged it several times at officers who were trying to engage him on May 16 at an apartment complex
May 19, 2024