Boston Mayor Michelle Wu formally apologized to victims inaccurately blamed for the 1989 murder of Carol Stuart and their families Wednesday morning, Dec. 20.
The Stuart murder case not only hurt the deceased woman’s family but also the framed Black men, their families and an entire Boston Black community. It deepened the racial divide.
“We are here today to acknowledge the tremendous pain that the city of Boston inflicted on black residents throughout our neighborhoods 34 years ago,” Mayor Wu stated. “At every level and at every opportunity, those in power close their eyes to the truth because the LIE felt familiar. They saw the story they wanted to see, and, as a result, our black residents suffered. As a result, Alan Swanson suffered. Willie Bennett suffered, and their families continue to suffer.”
Wu continued, ” On behalf of the Boston Police Department, the mayor’s office, and the entire city of Boston, I want to say to Mr. Swanson and Mr. Bennett, the entire Bennett family, and Boston’s entire Black community, I am so sorry for what you endured. I am so sorry for the pain that you have carried for so many years. What was done to you was unjust, unfair, racist, and wrong, and this apology is long overdue.”
On Oct. 23, 1989, a pregnant Carol and her husband, Charles Stuart, left their birthing classes at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston when Charles pulled out a gun and shot Carol in her head and shot himself in the abdominal area to make police believe his story – that a Black man robbed and shot them. What the police didn’t question was how Carol was shot in the head while her husband got shot in the abdomen because he “ducked” to dodge the bullet while on the phone with the police.
Boston police swept African American neighborhoods in the search for the man Charles described.
Police arrested Alan Swanson first and jailed him for three weeks before obviating him as a suspect. They then arrested Willie Bennett and took him into custody despite him affirming he had no involvement in the crime. No one was formally charged.
Wu confirmed that investigators had no evidence that a Black man committed the crime but acted unjustly and terrorized a community based on racist accusations without doing actual investigative work, targeting and ruining Black men’s lives and their families.
Eventually, Charles’ brother, Matthew, confessed to police that December that he was involved with Carol’s murder and that Charles killed his wife for financial gain reasons and didn’t want to be burdened with a child.
Matthew parked his car in Mission Hill before Carol’s murder. After Charles shit her, he threw her purse and jewelry into his brother’s car. According to Celebrate Boston, Charles had received the proceeds of a $100,000 insurance policy. Before her death, Carol was practicing law, and Charles knew that the birth of their son would hinder her from returning to it and would prevent him from living the life he envisioned for himself that the money would make possible.
In January, Charles committed suicide by jumping off the Tobin Bridge after hearing his brother go to the police.
Wu hoped the family would accept the apology and called it “a small step toward accountability” for the damage the city caused.
Bennett wasn’t present, but his family attended with Swanson, who didn’t address reporters. Bennett’s nephew, Joey Bennett, spoke on behalf of the family and accepted Wu’s apology.
“We are truly humbled and honored to finally be receiving this apology,” Joey said. “Most importantly, we would like to acknowledge our family Patriot Willie Bennett, who has shown resilience and strength throughout his entire life no matter what anyone said. This moment is just not a personal Triumph for our family but a testament to the incredible support we receive from the Mission Hill Community and friends alike.”
The family also addressed the city’s need to compensate the family for the trauma they went through.
Bennett sued the city, but his mother only received an offensive settlement of $12,500 in 1995.
CBS News reported that Swanson spoke with reporters after the press conference, exclaiming he just wanted financial compensation.
“I need housing, reparations, I don’t have anything,” Swanson said. “I’m still homeless and still in the same position.”
