Terrence Lewis, the driver involved in a fatal 2015 drive-by shooting, was found guilty of second-degree murder and handed a sentence of 22 years to life imprisonment.
Recently, a New York judge released him on a technicality, citing a failure to adhere to a federal law dating back to 1970 regarding interstate custody regulations. This error led to Lewis being wrongly placed in a Pennsylvania prison, where he was serving a separate sentence, instead of awaiting trial for the murder of 29-year-old Johnny Washington in Rochester, New York.
Johnny Washington lost his life on May 26, 2015. Lewis, aged 31, was convicted of second-degree murder on October 11, 2018, and his sentencing took place the following December, as confirmed by the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.
A recent court ruling saw convicted murderer Terrence Lewis released from prison due to a procedural error, as local authorities had mistakenly transferred him to an incorrect facility while awaiting trial.
According to the Interstate Agreement on Detainers Law, if a prisoner convicted in one state faces charges in another, they must be held in the new jurisdiction during the trial process. Failure to comply results in the case being dismissed, as was the case with Lewis.
Lewis was serving a federal sentence in Pennsylvania when charged by New York authorities for Washington’s murder. Due to being returned to Pennsylvania instead of being detained in New York, the judge ruled for the case to be dropped, leading to Lewis’ release this month.
Former Monroe County prosecutor Kyle Steinebach expressed concern for the safety of the key witness following Lewis’ release, stating that a retrial should have been pursued. However, the judge’s decision to dismiss the case “with prejudice” prevents any future trials.
Judge Stephen Miller’s ruling highlighted the administrative error that necessitated Lewis’ release, emphasizing the strict anti-shuttling provisions of the IAD.
Lewis, who was driving the vehicle during the fatal shooting at the intersection of Sixth and Bay Streets in Rochester, was described by prosecutors as the perpetrator.
In a statement post-sentencing, Steinebach acknowledged Lewis’ deliberate actions in the tragic incident and expressed hope that the sentence would provide some solace to Washington’s grieving family.
Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter issued an apology to the family, acknowledging the pain caused by the recent turn of events and the violation of justice principles.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.