Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has issued an apology on behalf of the city to the two Black men who were wrongfully accused of the 1989 murder of a pregnant white woman.
Alan Swanson and Willie Bennett were wrongly named as suspects in the October 1989 murder of Carol Stuart, whose husband, Charles Stuart, had orchestrated her killing.
Charles, who was also white, blamed his wife’s killing on an unidentified Black gunman with a ‘raspy voice’, leading to a crackdown by police in one of the city´s traditionally Black neighborhoods in pursuit of a phantom assailant.
In a press conference today, the mayor said: ‘I am so sorry for what you endured. I am so sorry for the pain that you have carried for so many years.
Mayor Wu said there was no evidence a Black man committed the crime, but that did not matter to many because the story confirmed and exposed the beliefs so many shared at the time in Boston.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu issued an apology on behalf of the city to Alan Swanson and Willie Bennett, who were wrongly named accused in the October 1989 murder of Carol Stuart
The event was attended by Alan Swanson (left) and Willie Bennett’s nephew, Joey Bennett (right)
Charles, who was also white, blamed his wife’s killing on an unidentified Black gunman with a ‘raspy voice’, leading to a crackdown by police in one of the city´s traditionally Black neighborhoods in pursuit of a phantom assailant
She also gave Swanson and Bennett’s nephew, Joey Bennett, a written apology on behalf of the city’s administration.
Wu also said that in response to the killing of Carol Stuart and her unborn baby ‘and acting on a false racist claim framing a Black man for her death,’ the city launched a systemic campaign targeting Black men in Mission Hill neighborhood and across the city.
‘We are here today to acknowledge the tremendous pain that the city of Boston inflicted on Black residents throughout our neighborhoods 34 years ago,’ Wu said.
‘The mayor´s office, city officials and the Boston Police Department took actions that directly harmed these families and continue to impact the larger community, reopening a wound that has gone untended for decades.
‘What was done to you was unjust, unfair, racist and wrong,’ she added.
Mayor Wu also gave Swanson and Bennett’s nephew, Joey Bennett, a written apology on behalf of the city’s administration
Joey said it took courage on Wu´s part to apologize for the actions of earlier city leaders and later broke down
Nephew Joey said: ‘Most importantly, we would like to acknowledge our family patriarch, Willie Bennett, who has shown resilience and strength throughout his entire life no matter what anyone said.’
After being handed the city’s written apology, Joey said: ‘We are truly humbled to finally be receiving this apology. Most importantly, we would like to acknowledge our family patriarch, Willie Bennett, who has shown resilience and strength throughout his entire life no matter what anyone said.
‘This moment is not just a personal triumph for our family, but a testament to the incredible support we received from the Mission Hill community and friends alike,’ he added.
He further said it took courage on Wu´s part to apologize for the actions of earlier city leaders.
‘Your apology is accepted,’ he said, embracing the mayor.
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Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox also acknowledged police failings at the time.
‘As commissioner, I apologize for the hurt, pain and suffering experienced by everyone affected by the Boston Police Department, for their poor investigation, overzealous behavior and more than likely unconstitutional behavior,’ Cox said.
Charles had called 911 and sought assistance for him and his wife. He claimed that a Black man ordered them to drive to the city’s Mission Hill neighborhood and robbed them before shooting Carol in the head and Charles in the chest
Carol died the following morning at the same hospital where the couple had attended birthing classes. The baby, delivered by cesarean section, survived just 17 days
Charles survived the shooting, with his description of a Black attacker eventually sparking a widespread Boston police ‘stop and frisk’ crackdown of Black men in the neighborhood, even after investigators had begun to doubt his story
Charles had called 911 and sought assistance for him and his wife. He claimed that a Black man forced his way into their car as the couple left a birthing class at a city hospital.
The man ordered them to drive to the city’s Mission Hill neighborhood and robbed them before shooting Carol in the head and Charles in the chest, according to Charles.
Carol died the following morning at the same hospital where the couple had attended birthing classes. The baby, delivered by cesarean section, survived just 17 days.
Charles survived the shooting, with his description of a Black attacker eventually sparking a widespread Boston police ‘stop and frisk’ crackdown of Black men in the neighborhood, even after investigators had begun to doubt his story.
During the crackdown, police first arrested Swanson before ruling him out and then took Bennett into custody. Charles identified Bennett in late December.
Swanson and Bennett denied having any involvement in Carol Stuart´s death. They were never formally charged with anything related to the murder but were identified publicly as suspects.
At the time, police had arrested them on unrelated charges and then interrogated them about the murder.
During the crackdown, police first arrested Swanson before ruling him out and then took Bennett (seen under coat) into custody. Charles identified Bennett in late December
Charles Stuart´s brother, Matthew (pictured), eventually confessed to helping him hide the gun
In January 1990, Charles parked his car on the Tobin Bridge that led in and out of Boston and jumped, plunging to his death. His body was recovered later that day
The case truly caught the public’s attention when HBO Max released a documentary titled, ‘Murder in Boston: Roots, Rampage, and Reckoning’ this year
Charles’ brother, Matthew, eventually confessed to helping him hide the gun.
In January 1990, Charles parked his car on the Tobin Bridge that led in and out of Boston and jumped, plunging to his death. His body was recovered later that day.
A movie titled ‘Goodnight Sweet Wife: A Murder in Boston’ based on the murder, was released in 1990, but the case truly caught the public’s attention when HBO Max released a documentary titled, ‘Murder in Boston: Roots, Rampage, and Reckoning’ this year.
The three-part docuseries includes multiple interviews, schedule information and behind-the-scenes exclusives about the case.
