Elliot Robinson is currently serving a 48-year sentence for a crime he did not commit. He was only 18 years old when convicted. On October 12, 2005, Mr. Robinson’s life began to fade away. Unfortunately, a shooting occurred on the block where Mr. Robinson resided. Shortly after, two detectives were sent to Mr. Robinson’s home where his mother was present. Without her consent, the detectives illegally searched her residence for Mr. Robinson and a firearm. When Mr. Robinson returned home, he was taken into custody by the detectives for questioning. Mr. Robinson was first taken to the scene of the crime where he was subjected to two “gunshot residue” (GSR) tests. Mr. Robinson was then taken to Area 2 headquarters on 111th Street where the detectives began pressuring him to confess to the shooting that had taken place a few hours earlier. Mr. Robinson denied any involvement, even as the detectives repeatedly harassed and threatened him to “give them the gun or he’d never see his home again”.

After being held thirty hours under duress with no food or water, Mr. Robinson was finally released. From that moment until August 30, 2006 (the date Mr. Robinson was arrested and charged), detectives fabricated evidence and coerced witnesses. This led to false identification and testimony at trial. There were no eyewitnesses, fingerprints, DNA results, GSR results, or firearm linking Mr. Robinson to any crime. On December 8, 2009, lies, misconduct, and an unfair trial led to Mr. Robinson’s wrongful conviction and incarceration. On March 8, 2013, Mr. Robinson was acquitted of an armed robbery. This charge was thrust upon Mr. Robinson in order to garner approval for the murder charges.