Friends and family of Charles Wilhite hold community barbeque

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The push to get convicted murdered Charles Wilhite a new trial continued Friday night.

Friday, friends and family of Wilhite held a community barbeque as part of a grassroots campaign to get another trial.

Wilhite was arrested in 2009 for killing Alberto Rodriguez.

The family hired a private investigator who found evidence supporting Wilhite's innocence, including two witnesses who allegedly recanted their testimonies. 

Family members are holding out hope that this evidence is true and that another trial will happen.

Juanita Allen says, “He deserve justice, he don't deserve none of this.  He needs to be home with his family, his children, we all miss him and we're all just trying to be strong.”

The family told 22News a court hearing about a possible re-trial is expected sometime next month.