Robert Webster
Written by Robert’s legal team
Robert Webster of Queens, New York, was only 17 years old when he was wrongfully convicted of arson and sentenced to a disproportionate sentence of 50 years to life imprisonment. He has already served almost 34 years, and won’t be eligible for parole until he’s 67 years old.
Robert’s case was plagued with issues from the outset. Evidence of his innocence was never fully explored at trial, with alibis, key witnesses and police evidence excluded from the trial, and the judge refusing to account for the fact that he was a minor when sentencing him.
During sentencing, the court imposed a 50-to-life year sentence on Robert, influenced by the tragic fact that a young police officer who was stationed outside the arson victim’s home following the arsons, was murdered. This was a high-profile case and influenced the severe sentence, a violation of due process. Robert is innocent of both arsons and there is no evidence connecting him to any crimes. The sole basis of the conviction is a witness identification. Setting aside Robert’s innocence, the 50-to-life sentence is not proportional to the harm. Robert received twice the maximum sentence imposed on those who killed the police officer.
Despite his incarceration, Robert, a loyal, family-oriented man has invested so intentionally in his relationships that his family members call him “the bridge” and credit him for helping them stay close with each other. Robert’s family point to him as the peacemaker of the family and a role model for them all.
At age 51, after almost 34 years of fighting for his freedom, Robert now seeks clemency from Governor Kathy Hochul. Robert hopes that Governor Hochul will acknowledge the grave injustices of his case and release him so that he will have the opportunity to live the rest of his life as a free man and contributing member of society.