Spencer, 56, was convicted of aggravated robbery in 1988. Author: Jake Harris Updated: 9:37 PM CST March 11, 2021
DALLAS
Updated Thursday, March 11 with more information about Spencer s sentence and quotes from Spencer s mother.
Judge Lela Mays did not sign the order to release Benjamine Spencer Thursday, one day after The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office recommended Spencer s 1988 aggravated robbery conviction be vacated.
Family and advocates say they aren’t happy. Spencer has spent more than three decades in prison after being wrongly convicted.
Spencer has been in prison since 1988 for the robbery and murder of Jeffery Young. He was first convicted of murder in 1987 and got a 35-year prison sentence. That case was overturned and the court granted him a new trial.
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Tanya and Craig Watkins in Craig s law office in Dallas.
Craig Watkins 2006 campaign for Dallas County DA was built on the support of Black churches.
Almost 20 years ago, Craig Watkins narrowly lost his 2002 race for Dallas County District Attorney.
He never stopped campaigning, especially within the Black church.
Leading up to the 2006 election, Watkins said he visited roughly three churches every Sunday.
“You would contact the pastors individually,” Watkins said. “They would give you the okay to say, [You’re] going to come to our church at 11:30. We’ll introduce you. You’ll have two minutes. ”
Two minutes to introduce himself to a huge group of potential voters. Two minutes to get his message out. But the outreach wasn t limited to indoor spaces.
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