George Allen’s Mom Stood by Her Son for Three Painful Decades in Prison

05.06.16 By Carlita Salazar, Alicia Maule

George Allen’s Mom Stood by Her Son for Three Painful Decades in Prison

Update: We are sad to share that George Allen passed away in October 2016.


Despite mistaking George Allen as the suspect of the 1982 murder of a young female court reporter, St. Louis Detective Herbert Riley decided to interrogate him anyway. Allen, who has an extensive history of severe mental illness, eventually confessed to raping and murdering the victim. As a result, he was convicted of capital murder, rape, sodomy and burglary and sentenced to 50 years for capital murder and 15 years consecutively on each of the other three charges. His mother, Lonzetta Taylor, was extremely supportive, visiting Allen frequently while he was prison from 1982 to 2012. Take a look at photos from her visits over 30 years:

George allen and mom 3

“I know that nothing can replace the many years that he has lost, but it is my greatest wish that I see the day when he walks out of prison,” Taylor said in 2011.

George Allen and mom 2

“I had no doubt he was gonna get out. I knew he was innocent — he was with us that day.” -Taylor told the St. Louis Disptach in 2011

George Allen and mom 1

“I hadn’t touched him in years. We’ve always spoken behind a glass. There are no words that could describe how that felt.” -Taylor told the St. Louis American on the day of his release in 2012.

George Allen And Lonzetta Web

George with his mom on the day he was freed, November 14, 2012.

Related: A Special Message from Exoneree Steve Barnes to his Mother

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Jeanette Couf May 9, 2016 at 12:29 pm Reply   

Happy Mother’s Day Ms Taylor: You are truly an inspiration to us all. Hope you and your son have many more happy and healthy years ahead. God bless you both.

Robert Palmer May 9, 2016 at 12:20 am Reply   

The release may have been too little too late, but the fact that his mother stood by him all this time ought to be worth a lot. I, a white southern democrat rejoice in your final victory.

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