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.

While most prisoners sentenced for murder serve an average of 15 years in state prison before their initial release, Greg is still serving his sentence - 39 years after his arrest. Ineligible for parole until 2031, he is languishing in the “deep end” of the justice system - what some are calling “death by incarceration,” with a sentence so long he is unlikely to survive if it is carried out in full.

The concern for Greg’s survival has taken on new urgency with the Coronavirus pandemic. As a senior citizen, Greg is at increased risk of death from this virus, and there are at least 44 confirmed cases of Covid-19 where he’s imprisoned, at the Great Meadows Correctional Facility. Avoiding the yard and other gathering places, he is trying to isolate himself in his cell to stay alive.

Greg Mingo is an asset to every community he is a part of, and his service to others speaks for itself. He has not let the injustice of his sentence discourage him from improving his life or the lives of those around him. Greg’s innocence is known by his family, his supporters and his legal team. It will be proven in a court of law one day. But until that day comes, there is nothing more important than this:

Greg Mingo needs to come home.

Footnotes

1. Determination in Matter of Agresta, 10th Annual Report, New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct (1985) http://cjc.ny.gov/Publications/AnnualReports/nyscjc.1985annualreport.pdf#page=118
2. Kaeble, D. “Time Served in State Prison, 2016.” U.S. Department of Justice (2018) https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/tssp16.pdf
3. Nellis, A. “Still Life: America’s Increasing Use of Life and Long-Term Sentences.” The Sentencing Project (2017) https://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/still-life-americas-increasing-use-life-long-term-sentences/
4. Zeidman, S. “Sentenced to Death by Incarceration in New York State Prison.” Gotham Gazette (2019) https://www.gothamgazette.com/opinion/8807-sentenced-to-death-by-incarceration-in-new-york-state-prison
5. DOCCS Confirmed Incarcerated Population By Facility (2020) https://doccs.ny.gov/doccs-covid-19-report