District Attorney Rollins Fulfills an Office Promise Made 26 Years Ago

DA says she will support U Visa for key witness who was deported 

BOSTON, December 7, 2021 — Saying “there is no statute of limitations on truth,’’ District Attorney Rachael Rollins yesterday wrote the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to support a U Visa for Alford Clarke, 48, who was deported to Jamaica in 1995 shortly after testifying in the murder trial of the man charged with killing his brother.  

In her letter, DA Rollins said Clarke was promised that the District Attorney’s Office would support his effort to remain in the US, as did disgraced former Boston Police Det. John Brazil, because of the service he provided to the Commonwealth by testifying against James Lucien, who was convicted of murdering Ryan Edwards -- Clarke’s brother.

“Alford delivered on his promise – testifying against the person who murdered his brother. This Office never delivered on ours. That changes today,’’ DA Rollins wrote.

U Visas are used for both victims of certain crimes and for individuals who are helpful to law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting criminal activity. U Visas were created by Congress as part of Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act of 2000, and prior to that law enforcement would write to the Immigration officials on behalf of individuals who assisted them.

Hand-written notes in the file show that in early January of 1995, Clarke family members asked if letters of support could be written to allow Clarke to remain in the country. A notation in the file said, “John Brazil will take care of this.”

Brazil, a disgraced former Boston Police detective, participated in a sprawling corruption scheme from 1990 to 1996 with other officers which they conspired to lie, rob, and steal from drug dealers by submitting false warrant applications and then seize cash, representing drug trade proceeds, and kept it for themselves.

Brazil cooperated in a federal investigation and testified against fellow criminals and disgraced BPD detectives, Kenneth Acerra and Walter Robinson, both of whom pled guilty. Brazil was given immunity in exchange for his testimony.  He served no time and is currently collecting a pension.  Acerra and Robinson each served a total of three years after committing dozens of separate felonies.

“This Office took full advantage of Mr. Clarke as he fulfilled his promise, reaped the benefit of that promise and his critical testimony by securing a guilty verdict, then promptly reneged on our promise,’’ DA Rollins wrote in her letter. “As a result, this family endured the indescribable pain of losing Ryan to homicide, and they effectively lost a second son, Alford, as well.”

“I recognize that this letter of support cannot undo the decades of trauma and harm this family has endured. My hope is that by supporting Alford’s application now, we will rebuild trust so this family can start their slow journey toward healing. As the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of Suffolk County - where Ryan’s murder happened, where Alford lived before being deported, where both men’s mother, sisters, nephew, and son still live - I ask that you give my letter of support due deference. This family has endured far too much and has yet to receive the justice they were promised and deserve.”

Because of Brazil’s central involvement in the prosecution of Lucien, as well as other material problems including non-disclosure of Giglio information about the ballistician, Det. George Foley, that was known to BPD at the time of trial; inauthentic evidence and likely perjured trial testimony; and inadequate investigation in gathering and maintaining evidence (e.g., the victim’s clothing and the murder weapon were never recovered), on October 20, 2021 the Commonwealth responded affirmatively to a motion asking a Superior Court judge to  grant Lucien’s motion and vacate his murder and armed robbery convictions.

“The corruption by Detective Brazil – who a Judge today determined committed perjury during the Lucien trail – is still harming and traumatizing families and communities decades later.  Ryan Edwards, Alford Clarke and their family deserved better. Hopefully this gesture is a first step in the right direction,” said DA Rollins.

Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles some 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.