A man from Brooklyn, who spent 27 years behind bars for robbery and drug offenses, has been granted early release by the same federal judge who had previously sentenced him to five life terms. The judge, now reconsidering his original decision, concluded that the punishment was excessively severe.
Walter Johnson, formerly known by the nickname “King Tut” and once a person of interest in the 1994 shooting of Tupac Shakur in a Manhattan recording studio, was released on Thursday from the Federal Correctional Institution in Otisville, New York, based on an order issued by U.S. District Judge Frederic Block.
At 61 years of age, Johnson has plans to return to Brooklyn to live with his family and contribute to his community, specifically aiming to mentor young men in making better choices, as stated by Mia Eisner-Grynberg, deputy attorney-in-charge at Federal Defenders of New York, who represented him during his case.
“We appreciate the compassion and humility that Judge Block demonstrated in reassessing Mr. Johnson’s life sentence,” she expressed in an email. “The remarkable rehabilitation he has shown while facing a life sentence speaks volumes about his character and his personal growth.”
In a detailed 26-page ruling, Judge Block referenced evolving judicial standards as a significant factor in his decision to modify Johnson’s sentence to time served, along with an additional three years of supervised release. He pointed to the 2018 First Step Act, legislation that revamped federal sentencing guidelines, allowing both judges to revisit past sentences and inmates to pursue early release options.
Block acknowledged that his earlier rulings, while lawful, were indeed too harsh. He shared, “Just as inmates can transform for the better during extensive prison terms, judges too can adapt and gain new perspectives over their years on the bench.”
Opposing Johnson’s request for sentence reduction, federal prosecutors outlined the violent nature of the robberies linked to him and others between 1995 and 1996. They argued against any leniency, stating that “Nothing about the defendant’s current circumstances or prison experience justifies a reduction, considering the brutal nature of these offenses.”
However, one of the principal victims from those crimes, whom prosecutors indicated Johnson attacked multiple times, extended support for his release.
The office of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Breon Peace, opted not to comment on the matter.
Eisner-Grynberg disclosed that Johnson was the only person to receive a mandatory life sentence in the Eastern District of New York under the Three Strikes law, a federal statute mandating life sentences for individuals convicted of felonies with prior serious convictions.
She presented a case in court, arguing that under today’s judicial guidelines, Johnson’s sentence would likely have been different. She highlighted his remarkable rehabilitation, noting his lack of disciplinary issues, the establishment of various programs for inmates, and accolades from prison officials acknowledging his exemplary leadership.
In a letter written in March to Judge Block, Johnson reflected on his lengthy incarceration, describing it as “bittersweet” and acknowledging the significant changes he underwent since his criminal past began in 1977, starting at the age of 14 in East New York, Brooklyn.
“This sentence has offered me a chance for deep self-reflection and transformation,” he articulated in the four-page correspondence. “I now understand and accept responsibility for the harm I inflicted on society when I was ignorant, reckless, and self-centered.”
Johnson concluded by drawing a parallel between his imprisonment and that of Nelson Mandela, who also served 27 years, and requested an opportunity to lead a life filled with peace, joy, and community service akin to Mandela’s legacy.