Murder Ballads: Hurricane 1

In 1966, a triple homicide at the Lafayette Bar and Grill in Paterson, New Jersey led to the arrest and conviction of Carter—a rising middleweight boxing contender—and Artis. Their trial relied heavily on witness testimony that would later be recanted, raising serious questions about credibility, racial bias, and investigative conduct.

Both men maintained their innocence for decades. After years of appeals, Rubin Carter’s conviction was overturned in 1985, with a federal judge citing racial prejudice and withheld evidence. The charges were ultimately dismissed. John Artis was paroled in 1981, and the remaining charges against him were later dropped.