BOSTON, Mass. (AP) – In a significant development in a long-standing case of wrongful accusation, two Black men, Alan Swanson and Willie Bennett, have received a settlement of $150,000 from the city of Boston. This payment comes two years after Boston Mayor Michelle Wu issued a formal apology for the injustice endured by the men and the impact the wrongful accusations had on the Black community.

The case dates back to 1989, when the two men were wrongly implicated in the murder of Carol Stuart, a pregnant white woman. The accusation stemmed from her husband, Charles Stuart, who claimed that a Black man had shot them during an attempted carjacking. This narrative triggered a public outcry and led to a police crackdown in a predominantly Black neighborhood, exacerbating racial tensions within the city.

Initially, police arrested Alan Swanson, but after further investigation, he was excluded from suspicion. Subsequently, Willie Bennett was taken into custody. In a series of troubling developments, Stuart later identified Bennett as the shooter; however, neither man was ever formally charged in connection with the crime.

Tragically, Carol Stuart was shot in the head and succumbed to her injuries the following day, although her baby was delivered via cesarean section 17 days later. Charles Stuart, who suffered a gunshot wound to the chest but survived the incident, ultimately took his life by jumping off a bridge a few months later when the truth behind his story began to unravel.

In 2023, Mayor Wu addressed the decades-old injustice, formally apologizing to Swanson and Bennett. During her remarks, she acknowledged the pain both men experienced and the broader ramifications of the case on the Black community, stating, “What was done to you was unjust, unfair, racist and wrong.”

As part of the settlement, Willie Bennett will receive $100,000, while Alan Swanson will receive $50,000. The decision to provide compensation is viewed as a step towards addressing the historical injustices faced by the individuals wrongfully accused and the community that was affected by the events following Carol Stuart's murder.

This settlement and the associated apology signify a recognition of the deep-seated issues of racial profiling and the ramifications of false accusations on innocent lives. It highlights the need for continued dialogue and reform in the justice system, particularly concerning the treatment of marginalized communities.