NY Man Freed After 19 Years for Wrongful Robbery Conviction

After spending 19 years incarcerated for a robbery he insists he didn’t commit, Kenneth Windley has finally regained his freedom. His conviction stemmed from using a money order that he claims he didn’t know was stolen, an act that led to a sentence of 20 years to life.

A Conviction Overturned After Nearly Two Decades

Windley, now 61, walked free on March 16, 2026, after a Brooklyn judge vacated his conviction for second-degree robbery. This decision came after prosecutors re-examined his claims of innocence and concluded he was not involved in the 2005 crime. “It cost me 20 years, but they said they corrected it now. So that’s all that matters,” Windley stated upon his release.

The original conviction was linked to an April 1, 2005, robbery in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood. Two men reportedly followed a 70-year-old victim into his building and stole cash and blank money orders. Authorities connected Windley to the crime when he used one of the stolen money orders to purchase a stove for his mother, and the victim later identified him.

Claims of Innocence and Vindication

During his 2007 trial, Windley maintained his innocence, testifying that he purchased the money order from street sellers for about $400. He admitted he suspected they were “hustlers” but claimed he had never used a money order before and didn’t realize it might have been stolen. Despite his testimony, he was convicted of second-degree robbery and sentenced.

Years later, Windley managed to locate the actual perpetrators, who were incarcerated for a series of robberies targeting elderly men. These individuals confirmed Windley’s lack of involvement in the Crown Heights case. Their statements, corroborated by recorded prison calls and emails, provided the crucial evidence needed for his exoneration.

It has taken many years, but today we are able to validate his account, release him from prison and exonerate his name. — Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez stated, “It has taken many years, but today we are able to validate his account, release him from prison and exonerate his name.” This validation marks the end of a long and arduous journey for Windley, who lost nearly two decades of his life due to a wrongful conviction. His case highlights the critical importance of revisiting claims of innocence and ensuring justice is served.