Free Greg Mingo
Greg Mingo was incarcerated for 40 years for crimes he didn’t commit. On Gov. Cuomo's last day in office, he commuted Greg’s sentence to time served and Greg returned home on Sept 16, 2021.
I have been working diligently to gain my freedom over the years, trying different things and getting the same results. It’s my hope that with the support of everyone involved, advocating on my behalf for clemency, I will get to leave here alive and not in a casket.
- Greg Mingo
Read Greg’s letter
Greg’s Story
The circumstances of Greg’s conviction and incarceration are deeply concerning.
In 1980, a couple was killed in a double robbery-murder in Queens, NY; a year later, Greg found himself on trial for murder - and at 29 years old, facing a double life sentence. Though he maintained his innocence and even had an alibi witness, his defense attorney never called them to testify on his behalf. It took two trials to convict Greg, after the first ended in a hung jury. But just before Christmas, 1982, Greg was convicted, and in January was handed two consecutive life sentences by a judge who - only five months later - used the N-word in open court in reference to a Black defendant.
Learn More About Greg’s Story
Letters of Support
“I’ve never known anyone else who has had to overcome so much, for so many years and yet still manages to give so much of himself to others. Greg's perseverance inspires me. And I dream of the day our family can finally welcome him home.”
- Ava
Greg’s niece
“Greg would always say to me ‘the walls around the prison are just walls and walls don’t last forever, sometimes they crumble.’ He never told a victim story about his imprisonment. Instead, he told a story of resilience, hope and dreams.”
- Evonne
Greg’s sister
“Gregory Mingo is the reason I went to law school and became a public defender. He is one of my favorite people and a true friend.”
- Ana Vuk-Pavlovic, J.D.
Attorney since 2006, defending clients in New York's criminal and mental health systems
Read Ana’s entire statement
“Mr. Mingo is a thoughtful, kind, and intelligent man whose work while incarcerated has extended his positive influence far beyond the confines of the prison walls. His presence has been felt and invoked all around the country by those of us who had the honor and privilege to study and work with him.”
- Judah Schept, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, School of Justice Studies, Eastern Kentucky University
Read Judah’s entire statement
Get Involved
Stay Updated
Join our newsletter to stay informed on Greg’s case.