Allen Receives Unusual Support from the DA

By Kayla Raymond

Usually, prosecutors work to keep those convicted of first-degree murder in prison.

For Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Jr. Cruz, supporting a convict’s release was the right thing to do.

William Allen of Brockton was first granted a commutation, then parole, after a community effort to secure his release was successful.

“What might have been considered a just outcome decades ago may warrant reconsideration with the passage of time. This is one of those times,” said Cruz.

Allen was convicted in 1997 for the armed robbery and felony murder of Purvis Bester, by means of joint venture after refusing a plea deal for second degree murder. His codefendant Ronaldo Perry, who did the killing, plead guilty to second degree murder.

“The jury did not find that Mr. Allen was a principal actor but rather that he was guilty as a joint venture based on credible evidence at that trial and state law in 1997,” Cruz said.

On January 12, Gov. Charlie Baker approved Allen’s request for commutation asking the parole board to commute his sentence from first degree to second degree making him eligible for parole.

“I have to say that today is a truly wonderful day,” said Allen’s attorney, Kris Macdonald.

Allen’s case received unusual support from the DA’s office because of the unique facts of the case.

“Principals of fairness and equity require that we take this into account when considering whether or not Mr. Allen’s sentence remains the just outcome in his case,” said Cruz.

Allen had lots of support during his hearing for commutation and parole.

“He shared with me the vision of what he wanted to see when he came out. The legacy that he had founded himself in was not the legacy that he wanted to leave this earth with,” said Elder William Dickerson II.

While incarcerated, Allen was a model inmate displaying good behavior as well as earning his barbers license, working with people struggling with substance abuse, and practicing within his faith.

“You have to change while your incarcerated if you expect to change when you get out,” said Allen during one of the Governor’s Council hearings.

In 2008, Perry wrote an affidavit claiming fully responsibility for the murder of Bester and stated that Allen was not even present in the room when it occurred.

The parole board earlier determined that Perry had sufficiently rehabilitated himself and was granted parole.

“He has been living at liberty now for more than a decade,” said Cruz.

In 2017, the case Commonwealth V Brown revised the initial notion stating the new law requires prosecutors to prove that they defendant acted with intent, allowing for Allen the possibility of parole.

“I want to take those hinges off those doors because I never want them to close again,” said Allen.

Allen has been granted parole and is expected to be released within the coming weeks.