Albany man wrongfully served two decades in prison

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – An Albany man, who wrongfully served two decades in prison and walked away from a 50-year sentence as a free man in March, pleaded guilty to weapons charges as part of a settlement. His charges stem from a 2001 shooting where a young woman was killed.

Alphonzo Davis appeared in Albany County Court on Thursday for the final hearing in his more than two-decade long case. 

His attorneys negotiated a settlement and on Thursday he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and was resentenced to 8.5 years, which amounted to time served – officially closing out the case. 

Davis was too overwhelmed to talk to the media but said this during his resentencing hearing.

“I’m grateful to the court that I am free after spending over two decades behind bars for a murder I did not do. I started to rebuild my life. I got a job and hope to go to culinary school and really appreciate your considerations today,” said Davis.

Instead of retrying the case, Davis pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon – which amounted to time served. Davis maintained his innocence from the beginning.

“Alfonso Davis was incarcerated for a crime that he did not commit based on a case put together by a corrupt detective and while it’s just that he is out and he is free and home with his family, nothing can give him back the time that was taken away from him by official misconduct,” said defense attorney Josh Kelner.

It all stems from a 2001 shooting where 17-year-old Shakira Chambers was killed and another person was injured. Davis was convicted of murder in 2003. 

Kelner and co-counsel Don Savatta filed a petition that sought to vacate Davis’s convictions back in March.

Judge William T. Little dismissed his convictions and ordered his release after it was found that the case was riddled with false confessions, false accusations and misconduct from an Albany Police Detective. 

Kelner believes wrongful convictions are a problem statewide and locally.

“I think in addition to it being a crisis in the state, it’s a crisis in the city of Albany. This is not the first time we are here for a wrongful conviction brought about by detective Kenneth Wilcox nor I predict it will be the last,” said Kelner.

Since 1989 New York state has exonerated 369 people – Texas and Illinois are the only states with more – according to the National Registry of Exonerations. 

Savatta said Davis and his family are absolutely devastated by the time lost. 

“He was a big part of his child’s life before he was arrested originally, very involved and he missed a lot of milestones in his son’s life,” said Savatta. 

His attorneys said Davis will pursue quote, “appropriate remedies for violations of his civil rights.”

The District Attorney’s office held a press conference after the hearing to talk about how the case got to this point. Albany County Assistant District Attorney Michael Connolly addressed the other man who was convicted in this case. Sherrod Craft is still serving a 50-years to life prison sentence.

“His attorneys have reached out to me and we have agreed to do a deep dive on that case to look at it. So it is being looked at. There is no pending motions on Craft but we have agreed to review that case,” said Connolly.

D. A. David Soares said his office will look into any case as long as a defense attorney notifies them and there is sufficient evidence that the conviction should be vacated.