Boston Awards $150,000 Settlement to Wrongly Accused Men, Mayor Issues Apology

The city of Boston has settled a historic wrongful accusation case by awarding $150,000 to Alan Swanson and Willie Bennett, two Black men falsely implicated in a 1989 murder case that deeply affected community relations. This settlement follows a formal apology from Mayor Michelle Wu in 2023, coinciding with renewed public attention from the HBO series 'Murder in Boston.' The men were wrongfully accused due to false testimony by the victim's husband, which led to heightened racial tensions and police crackdowns in Black neighborhoods. Bennett will receive $100,000 and Swanson $50,000 as part of the settlement. This case highlights ongoing issues of systemic racism within the legal system and underscores the city's commitment to justice and reconciliation. The apology and settlement aim to address the profound injustice faced by the men and the broader Black community in Boston.