New DNA Testing, Previously Withheld Evidence, Demonstrate Man Was Wrongfully Convicted of 1984 Springfield Murder

Edward Wright Has Spent 40 Years in Prison for a Crime He Did Not Commit

AN IMPORTANT UPDATE IN THE CASE OF EDWARD WRIGHT

UPDATE, March 4, 2025:  On February 27, 2025, Edward Wright finished presenting evidence on his Motion for New Trial in Hampden County Superior Court in Springfield, Massachusetts. Judge Bucci had ordered the evidentiary hearing after finding that Mr. Wright had raised “substantial issues supported by a substantial evidentiary record….” in his motion. Specifically, the Court asked for evidence regarding two issues: (1) a break-in at the scene of the murder that was not disclosed to Mr. Wright or his jury at the time of trial, and (2) DNA evidence from items connected to the murder that excluded Mr. Wright.

Members of Eddie Wright’s legal team and family members outside the courtroom following Eddie’s December hearing date.

The hearing was held across three days: December 18, 2024, and February 26-27, 2025. Mr. Wright presented three witnesses and thousands of pages of exhibits in support of his consistent assertion that justice was not done when he was wrongfully convicted 40 years ago. The hearing was attended by dozens of Mr. Wright’s family and friends, his legal team from the New England Innocence Project, Skadden, and Quinn Emanuel, and members of the Exoneree Network Community. 

Specifically, Mr. Wright presented testimony from a former Springfield detective who confirmed that someone broke into the apartment where the murder happened while it was an active crime scene and before critical evidence was collected. This break-in, which implicated another suspect in the murder and contaminated key evidence, was documented in a report that was withheld from Mr. Wright until 2021, 36 years after he was wrongfully convicted. The same detective who discovered the break-in and wrote the previously undisclosed report testified at Mr. Wright’s 1985 trial and, at that time, told the jurors that “only” police officers had been in the apartment while evidence was collected. And as recently as 2014, prosecutors told the Supreme Judicial Court that there was “no evidence” of a break-in. 

These statements–made by the Commonwealth and its agents to Mr. Wright’s jury and reviewing courts–were false. At the evidentiary hearing, one of Mr. Wright’s attorneys, Stephanie Hartung, argued, “The Commonwealth’s non-disclosure of an exculpatory police report for nearly 40 years prejudiced all of [Mr. Wright’s] post-conviction claims. No Court before this one has had an opportunity to assess the complete record in the case.” As a result, Mr. Wright should receive a new trial.

Mr. Wright also presented testimony from two scientists regarding new DNA evidence that excludes Mr. Wright from items connected to the murder. The hearing testimony centered around a washcloth found in the victim’s bathroom that had been collected by the police because it was thought that it might have been used by the murderer to wipe his bloody hands after the murder. The washcloth, which had red stains and tested positive for the presumptive presence of blood, had DNA from a man that was not Mr. Wright. But this was not the only piece of evidence connected to the murder that excluded Mr. Wright. In fact, Mr. Wright was excluded from DNA found on the pants the victim was wearing when she was murdered, hair on the shirt the victim was wearing when she was murdered, and a throw pillow used to cover her face when she was murdered. Importantly, despite substantial testing, no DNA evidence connects Mr. Wright to this murder in any way. At the evidentiary hearing, one of Mr. Wright’s attorneys, Radha Natarajan, argued that the new DNA evidence “supports Mr. Wright’s consistent assertions of innocence and is at odds with the narrative the Commonwealth presented at trial.”

The Commonwealth presented no new evidence and conceded that DNA evidence presented by Mr. Wright was reliable and admissible. And the Commonwealth’s only proffered witness ended up testifying for Mr. Wright. Despite this, the Commonwealth has continued to oppose Mr. Wright’s motion. “It is unfortunately not unusual for prosecutors to oppose motions for new trial even in the face of new evidence of innocence or evidence that the conviction lacked integrity. This is why we must rely on the courts to correct these injustices,” stated Attorney Natarajan after the hearing.

Mr. Wright’s motion for new trial is now “under advisement.” Mr. Wright remains wrongfully imprisoned while he awaits a decision from the Court.

UPDATE Sept. 24, 2024: After 40 years in prison and five previous attempts to overturn his wrongful conviction, Edward Wright was back in court on September 24, 2024, with hope. Radha Natarajan and co-counsel, Stephanie Hartung, were fighting to overturn the wrongful conviction of Edward Wright based on new DNA evidence and evidence that was wrongfully withheld by the government. It was a packed courtroom, with loved ones, Exoneree Network members, advocates, and our incredible legal team that includes attorneys from Skadden and Quinn Emanuel. We don’t know what will happen next, but we cannot stop fighting for justice for our community, even with tragedies, setbacks, resistance, and all the myths that permeate our criminal legal system.

 
 

On Wrongful Conviction Day 2023, Lawyers File Motion for New Trial for Edward Wright Who Has Served 39 Years in Prison for a Murder He Did Not Commit

 
 

(October 2, 2023) The New England Innocence Project, along with attorneys from the international law firms, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP, and Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, announce that they have today filed a motion for new trial at the Hampden County Superior Court on behalf of Edward Wright, 61, seeking to overturn Mr. Wright’s decades-old conviction for a murder he did not commit. New DNA evidence from key items connected to the murder, police reports kept from Mr. Wright that point to other suspects and show that a police officer lied at trial, and new expert analyses demonstrating the unreliability of the forensic evidence presented at trial, all support Mr. Wright’s innocence, affirming that he was wrongly convicted for the 1984 murder of his friend, Penny Anderson, in Springfield, MA.

In 1985 a predominantly white jury convicted Mr. Wright, a Black man, of this murder, leading to a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Mr. Wright has steadfastly maintained his innocence during his 39-year incarceration and has been fighting this unjust conviction through every legal avenue available to him. However, it was not until recently that this new evidence came to light, evidence never reviewed before by any court, supporting this (his Sixth) Motion for New Trial.

The filing of this motion for new trial occurs on International Wrongful Conviction Day (October 2), a day to raise awareness of the existence and prevalence of wrongful convictions. Research on wrongful convictions illustrates that police and prosecutorial misconduct, flawed or misleading forensic evidence, racial bias, ineffective counsel, and the unavailability of DNA testing at trial are leading reasons why innocent people are wrongfully imprisoned. Each of these factors tainted Mr. Wright’s conviction.

Mr. Wright’s motion demonstrates that for decades, the Commonwealth withheld important police reports that corroborate Mr. Wright’s assertion that someone else committed this murder. These reports show that the crime scene was contaminated and that, while no motive was ever established for Mr. Wright to harm Ms. Anderson, others had strong motive to commit this murder. In addition, the reports provide proof that a Springfield police officer presented false testimony at Mr. Wright’s trial and that the Commonwealth has since made false statements in court filings.

Mr. Wright’s motion also presents new DNA testing and analyses not available at the time of Mr. Wright’s trial. That testing excludes Mr. Wright from key pieces of evidence – including the clothing worn by the victim at the time of her murder and a washcloth with blood that could have come from the assailant. In a violent crime such as this, the absence of Mr. Wright’s DNA on items connected to the murder, and the presence of an unknown male’s DNA on those same items, strongly suggests that someone else committed this crime. In addition, one suspect never thoroughly investigated by police had threatened to harm the victim the night she was murdered and has since confessed to murdering her twice. The DNA evidence also supports new expert analyses that demonstrate that the opinions presented by an inexperienced assistant chemist at Mr. Wright’s trial were inaccurate and unreliable.

The motion asks the court to evaluate all of this substantial new evidence of innocence against the backdrop of Mr. Wright’s 1984 trial, which was plagued by demonstrable racial bias, ineffective assistance from Mr. Wright’s trial counsel, and substandard police work, collectively resulting in a fundamentally unjust conviction.

The Hampden County District Attorney’s Office will now have an opportunity to review the new evidence and determine if it will agree to the motion or fight it. If the District Attorney’s Office opposes the motion, Mr. Wright has asked the Court to hold an evidentiary hearing to examine all of the new evidence of innocence and grant him a new trial.

“We are hopeful that, after an open-minded review, the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office and its new Conviction Integrity Unit will see that there are substantial grounds for Mr. Wright to receive a new trial,” said Stephanie Hartung, Senior Staff Attorney at the New England Innocence Project (NEIP). NEIP’s Executive Director, Radha Natarajan, added, “Whether by agreement or through a court decision, we look forward to seeing Mr. Wright exonerated after all this time and being able to finally reunite with his remaining family.”

Mr. Wright’s co-counsel, Nigel Tamton said, “My team at Skadden has been honored to work with the New England Innocence Project on preparing Mr. Wright’s Sixth Motion For New Trial and, we hope, helping Mr. Wright obtain justice after nearly 40 years of wrongful incarceration.”

Mr. Wright’s co-counsel, Isaac Saidel-Goley said, “Mr. Wright has spent four decades fighting to recover his most fundamental human right – his freedom. Today, my co-counsel and I are honored to present overwhelming evidence of Mr. Wright’s innocence. We are optimistic that the Commonwealth will support Mr. Wright’s fight for exoneration; and we are confident that, at long last, justice will be served.”

On his fight for freedom, Mr. Wright said: “Since I was first arrested at age 22 and this nightmare began, I’ve lost not only my freedom, but also so many family members and friends. These are people that I’ll never see again. When you’re incarcerated, it’s an endless battle to be the person you want to be instead of the person they try to make you to be inside the prison walls. I’ve tried to preserve some semblance of my humanity—have tried to learn the law, to help fix the wrongs in prison to help not just myself but others. And I’ve never stopped trying to prove my innocence. But after so many denials, I am hopeful that a judge will finally look at all the evidence in my case – not just the horrific facts of the murder. I just want the truth to finally come out so a court can do the right thing and I can live out the rest of my life in freedom.”

Our Commitment to Liberation & Collective Action

Dear Friends,

In this moment of radical change, we remain steadfast in our commitment to fighting injustice. That is what we focus on every day no matter who is in power or the resistance we face.

Today, our communities and the rule of law are under direct attack. Our job is made harder by the pushing of false and fear-driven narratives, the passing of oppressive legislation, and the loss of federal funding for our work. However, we are sharing information with community members, including our immigrant applicant and client base, about their rights and providing support to individuals and families, and we will do everything in our power to continue moving forward to achieve our goals. Now, more than ever, we need to make clear who we are and what we are fighting for.

Racial justice is at the core of what we do, not just during Black History Month,
but every day, every month, and every year.

We stand with marginalized and vulnerable people, providing a safe community, as well as the resources individuals and families need to heal and thrive.

We are passionate about freedom. We want resources invested in communities,
not in the criminal legal system.

We believe in the power of collective action. We will build with our community and work to dismantle the systems that oppress us. Our liberation is in each other.

We have dozens of cases in active litigation or that are about to enter the litigation stage and each case involves decades of injustice and loss. From Edward Wright to Jason Carroll to Tommy Rosa, we remain hopeful that the nightmare of their wrongful convictions will soon be over and they can all be home with their families.

The strength of our work lies not just in the individual cases we take on but in the growing network of advocates, allies, and everyday people who stand together for justice. That’s why advocacy, education, and community organizing are essential to realizing our vision of a more just world. In recent months, we’ve partnered with local organizations and legislators to push legislative and judicial reforms, including An Act preventing false confessions (HD.3010/SD.1443) legislation to prohibit law enforcement officials from using deceptive tactics during interrogations, which have been known to coerce false confessions. We are continuing to bring our community together, including hosting both private events for community members and public events we’d love for you to participate in throughout the year so we can stay connected and united during these challenging times. 

The Exoneree Network continues to grow, providing $75,000 in financial assistance to community members in 2024 alone. The EN hosted more than 25 programs and events, including mental health services and technology training, in the last 12 months and remains focused on proactive outreach and support to empower people impacted by the trauma of long-term incarceration, who have collectively spent 1,035 years wrongfully incarcerated.

These efforts are not just numbers or case files—they are lives changed, families reunited, and communities healing. They are proof that freedom is worth the fight. Thank you for being a part of this movement. Whether it’s by donating, spreading awareness, or advocating for systemic reforms, every bit of your support contributes to our collective power. 

We’ll keep moving forward, one case, one victory, and one community member at a time.

With gratitude and solidarity,
Radha Natarajan
Executive Director
New England Innocence Project

Advocacy Update: Expanding the Time to Petition for a New Trial in N.H.

We believe that if someone is innocent and in prison, they should be able to go to the Court when there is new evidence about their case. Right now, in New Hampshire, wrongfully convicted people only have three years to go back to the Court, and that leaves innocent people languishing in prison.

Earlier this month, we testified in New Hampshire in support of SB141, a bill that would expand the time for an innocent person to petition for a new trial where they've uncovered new evidence or new forensic evidence, key tools that can prove someone's innocence. You can view an excerpt from this testimony below.

"This [three-year] timeline is virtually impossible to meet in wrongful conviction cases. In 2016, the National Registry for Exonerations reported that an average exoneration took 11 years, almost three times the New Hampshire limit. Wrongful conviction work is slow for many reasons…the three-year limitation period is preventing viable claims of innocence from coming to light.

With the proposed changes to this statute, New Hampshire can bring itself in line with the rest of the country and with scientific understanding. There is no value in a wrongful conviction based on false or misleading evidence. This bill would offer a meaningful pathway to correct these wrongful convictions in New Hampshire." 
— Cynthia Mousseau, N.H. Staff Attorney, New England Innocence Project 

There are many more steps in the legislative process, but if it passes, it could significantly impact members of our community who are wrongfully incarcerated in New Hampshire.

Thomas Rosa, Jr.’s Convictions Overturned

STORY UPDATE (Feb. 13, 2025): The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office continues to push toward a fourth trial for Mr. Rosa, who has already spent 34 years in prison for a crime he did not commit and after DNA evidence led to the overturning of his wrongful conviction. While our team continues fighting for Mr. Rosa, we will alert you to opportunities to support him in court.

Suffolk DA pushing for fourth trial for Thomas Rosa, Jr. (WCVB, Jan. 4, 2024)

SEPTEMBER 7. 2023
Thomas Rosa, Jr.’s Convictions Overturned
After Being Wrongfully Incarcerated for 34 Years for a Murder he did not Commit

(SEPTEMBER 7, 2023) The New England Innocence Project and the Boston College Innocence Program announce that Suffolk Superior Court Judge Michael Ricciuti has vacated the conviction of their client, Thomas Rosa, Jr. of Chelsea, who was wrongfully incarcerated for 34 years for a murder that he did not commit.  Judge Ricciuti vacated all of Mr. Rosa’s convictions on September 6 because new DNA evidence and advances in eyewitness science directly undermined the trial evidence that the state used to convict him.

Mr. Rosa, who has always maintained his innocence, was wrongfully convicted in Suffolk County Superior Court for the 1985 murder of Gwendolyn Taylor. Mr. Rosa presented himself voluntarily to the police and was tried three times, facing one mistrial and one overturned conviction before his final conviction in 1993.

Mr. Rosa’s attorneys, Radha Natarajan of the New England Innocence Project and Charlotte Whitmore of the Boston College Innocence Program, filed the Motion for New Trial on June 29, 2020, presenting numerous arguments why his convictions should be overturned.  A decision on October 14, 2020, by Justice Gaziano, acting as the Single Justice for the Supreme Judicial Court, allowed Mr. Rosa to be freed while Judge Ricciuti considered his Motion for New Trial.

In his decision, Judge Ricciuti held that the evidence against Mr. Rosa at trial was “far from overwhelming” and that the new DNA evidence “debunks the prosecution’s closing statement” and “casts doubt regarding the reliability of the eyewitness testimony,” which we now know, based on advances in science, was “not as strong as the Commonwealth thought.”

Specifically, all of the forensic blood-typing evidence that the Commonwealth used at trial to connect Mr. Rosa to this crime is now contradicted by new DNA testing. The only remaining evidence was the testimony of two eyewitnesses who viewed the perpetrator at night for less than ten seconds under circumstances that we now know, based on numerous exonerations and research, create a high risk of misidentification. In addition, Mr. Rosa did not have the one distinctive feature noted by an eyewitness – a missing tooth or gap in his teeth. Finally, the eyewitnesses described a scenario where the victim and assailant knew each other, but Mr. Rosa and the victim never knew each other.

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office assented to Mr. Rosa’s motion for postconviction relief and must now decide whether to dismiss the charges against Mr. Rosa or proceed with a fourth trial. Despite a court order requiring the Commonwealth to preserve the physical evidence in the case, the Commonwealth lost the murder weapon as well as other evidence from the crime scene.

“We are grateful that the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office agreed to this relief. Given the new DNA and scientific evidence that dismantles the Commonwealth’s case against Mr. Rosa, there is no other just outcome but to have this conviction overturned,” said Attorney Radha Natarajan, Executive Director of the New England Innocence Project, who has been representing Mr. Rosa for the last seven years. Natarajan continued, “We are hopeful that the District Attorney will now end this nightmare by dismissing all charges against Mr. Rosa. There should be no fourth trial for this innocent man.”

Mr. Rosa’s co-counsel, Boston College Innocence Program Senior Attorney Charlotte Whitmore said, “Many BCIP students worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help achieve this long-awaited outcome and we are privileged to have partnered with the New England Innocence Project to achieve justice for Mr. Rosa after so many years of wrongful imprisonment.”

Since obtaining his freedom, Mr. Rosa has been reunited with his family, including his wife, son, and grandchildren, who are a constant source of joy for him. He has been very involved in his community, especially the Exoneree Network community, lending support to others who have experienced a wrongful conviction or suffered the trauma of long-term incarceration. Unfortunately, Mr. Rosa has suffered from declining health as a result of decades of wrongful imprisonment and inadequate healthcare. He looks forward to closing this chapter as soon as possible.

Reading the Court’s decision, Mr. Rosa reacted that “the truth is finally coming out.” Mr. Rosa’s wife, Virginia, stated, “I am excited and believe that the future will get better and brighter. From prison to freedom, how sweet it is!” But reflecting on the prospect of retrial, Mr. Rosa added, "I am free but not free." 

For more information or for media inquiries, contact Jordan Salvatoriello at jordan@newenglandinnocence.org.

Interrogation Bill Reintroduced in an Effort to Fight Wrongful Convictions

An Act Preventing False Confessions would make Massachusetts a
national leader in banning deceptive tactics during interrogations

CALLING ALL MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS: 
Contact your representatives and senators and ask them to co-sponsor these important bills,
An Act Preventing False Confessions (HD.3010/SD.1443) 

Boston, MA – Feb. 4, 2025 – Today, Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Middlesex) and Sen. Patricia D. Jehlen (D-Middlesex) announced the introduction of legislation that would prohibit law enforcement officials from using deceptive tactics during interrogations, which have been known to coerce false confessions or unreliable incriminating statements. An Act Preventing False Confessions (HD.3010/SD.1443)  would also require officers to record custodial interrogations, a recommendation handed down by the Supreme Judicial Court in 2004 in Commonwealth v. DiGiambattista, and something many jurisdictions already implement. If passed, Massachusetts would become a leader in banning and preventing law enforcement from knowingly or recklessly lying to obtain confessions from both juveniles and adults.

Massachusetts is among 40 states where there are no laws preventing police from using deceptive tactics during questioning, such as falsely claiming that physical evidence points to someone’s guilt. These psychological tactics can intimidate individuals into making false confessions, often leading to wrongful convictions. Since 1989, false confessions have resulted in more than 400 wrongful convictions across the country. 

“Massachusetts has an opportunity to be a national leader in ending deceptive interrogation tactics  – a practice that undermines the integrity of our criminal legal system,” said Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian. “An Act Preventing False Confessions would be a vital step forward in safeguarding the rights of individuals in Massachusetts and preventing wrongful convictions before more innocent people lose their liberty and real perpetrators continue to pose a danger in our communities.”

Deceptive tactics result in significant financial and public safety collateral consequences in Massachusetts.  Over 90 innocent men and women have spent a combined total of over 1,273 years in prison for a crime they did not commit. Correcting wrongful convictions have already cost taxpayers millions of dollars in civil settlements and state compensation awards. Additionally, they create a false sense of security while an innocent individual endures the consequences of unjust incarceration.

“Innocent people, particularly vulnerable ones like youth, people with disabilities, and English language learners, are too often subjected to psychologically coercive techniques during law enforcement interrogations,” said Sen. Patricia D. Jehlen. “By prohibiting deception and requiring the recording of interrogations, Massachusetts can improve transparency, accuracy, and consistency in our criminal legal system. This would not only protect those at risk of being coerced into false confessions, but also strengthen public safety.”

In 1982, at the age of 24, Victor Rosario was wrongly convicted in Massachusetts of arson and the murders of eight people based on a false confession obtained through coercive tactics, including false information, threats, and prolonged interrogation. He spent 32 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, until his conviction was vacated in 2014 after an investigation revealed unreliable forensic evidence and coercive police tactics and misconduct. In May 2023, Rosario won a $13 million settlement, one of the largest wrongful conviction awards in the history of the Commonwealth.

“Wrongful imprisonment impacts individuals, families, and communities, often for generations,” said Radha Natarajan, Executive Director of the New England Innocence Project. “Deceptive tactics used during police interrogations are one of the leading causes of false confessions and, ultimately, wrongful convictions. Recording interrogations is necessary to uncover these deceptive tactics and false confessions. With HD.3010/SD.1443, Massachusetts has an opportunity to be a leader in preventing wrongful convictions and safeguarding the rights of Bay Staters.”

###

ABOUT THE NEW ENGLAND INNOCENCE PROJECT
The New England Innocence Project is an independent social justice non-profit that frees innocent people from prison, supports individuals and families impacted by long-term incarceration, and fights to end the systemic harms of the criminal legal system in the six New England states. By providing free forensic testing, investigation, experts, and an experienced legal team, we can exonerate the innocent and bring them home to their loved ones. Through the Exoneree Network, we provide comprehensive support — from housing and seasonal stipends to mental health care and job training — so our community can heal and rebuild in freedom. We also use our expertise about wrongful convictions to educate and advocate for reforms to prevent future tragedies and support community-based solutions for public safety. Visit NewEnglandInnocence.org for more information.

Honoring the Legacy of Exoneree, Bobby Joe Leaster

New Book About Bobby Joe’s Case and Life, Justice Under God, Benefits NEIP

Pictured: Judge Christopher Muse (right) with client Bobby Joe Leaster on Bobby’s 35th birthday.

“He was a client, then a friend, then a brother.” — Judge Christopher Muse

Bobby Joe Leaster served 15 years in a Massachusetts state prison for a murder he did not commit. With the help of father-son team, Robert and Christopher Muse, he won his freedom and worked for decades with at-risk youth as one of Boston’s preeminent street workers.

Christoper Muse, now a retired judge, launched his new book about Bobby Joe’s case and life, Justice Under God, on Amazon on January 8, in celebration of what would have been Bobby Joe’s 75th birthday.

“It was personally rewarding for me to write this book, not only to honor Bobby Joe’s life and legacy but to raise awareness about wrongful convictions and help bring necessary change to the criminal justice system.

The appellate courts, for too long, defaulted to their stubborn adherence to the principle of Finality of Conviction.  When I gave Bobby Joe the bad news from his fourth rejected appeal, he asked with the first hint of anger I had ever observed: ‘How did I get a fair trial if I am innocent?’”
— Judge Christopher Muse

“Bobby Joe Leaster’s story continues to teach us the power of hope and the importance of creating systemic change to prevent future wrongful convictions.” 
— Radha Natarajan, Executive Director, NEIP

100% of the royalties from the book will go to the New England Innocence Project in support of our fight against injustice in the criminal legal system for people like Bobby Joe.

This is What Community Looks Like

Thank you for being such an important part of our community.
We’re excited to share some of these memorable moments with you.

We’ve had a very eventful fall! Our community came together over the past several weeks in celebration and solidarity, in hope and in healing at events like Jammin’ for Justice, Running for Innocence, Voices of the Innocent, and Wrongful Conviction Day. We’ve worked together to grow the movement to free innocent people from prison. We’ve raised our voices in honor of loved ones who are still incarcerated. We’ve educated our legislators in an effort to shed light on wrongful convictions, and advocated for reforms to prevent future tragedies and help freed people to thrive.

For additional photos and information about our fall community events, please see below.

Upcoming Events & Ways to Get Involved

Jammin’ for Justice
October 24 | 6 - 9 p.m.
The Burren, Somerville

 
 

At the fourth annual Jammin’ for Justice event, the night’s theme, “Wounded but Not Broken,” symbolizes the loss and resilience that the Exoneree Network co-founders — Sean Ellis, Ray Champagne, and Victor Rosario — recognized in themselves and sought to embody in their work supporting others. Concert proceeds will help provide support for exonerees as they rebuild in freedom and ensure newly freed and exonerated people will have the opportunity to attend the 2025 Innocence Network Conference where this community can come together to heal after the trauma of long-term incarceration.

Enjoy a special line-up of musical guests, including the "Friends of Justice" band which will perform original songs of exoneration, the "Peace Players," led by exoneree Milton Jones, and the "OGs," led by exonerees Joseph Pope and Albert Brown, featuring songs they wrote and performed together while wrongfully incarcerated for crimes they did not commit. Tickets are on sale now, $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

Running for Innocence
November 3  |  Lexington, MA

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Running for Innocence team! On November 3, our team will return to the Lexington Battlegreen 5K/10K with the goal of raising $25,000 in the fight for freedom. This event offers options for runners and non-runners of all ages and is a wonderful opportunity to meet and welcome our exoneree team members, all of whom inspire us to continue this important work.

Funds raised will help pay for the investigators and experts needed to free innocent people incarcerated for crimes they did not commit and support the Exoneree Network, which cultivates a thriving and safe community for exonerees and those who have suffered the trauma of long-term incarceration. Please join us!

“Unbroken”
October 19, 7:30 p.m.  |  Strand Theater, Boston

 
 

For one night only! On October 19, 2024 (7:30 p.m.), at Boston’s Strand Theater, the Jo-Mé Dance Theatre will perform “Unbroken,” a breathtaking dance performance that includes 4 works by choreographers Naoko Brown and Joe González, and features the story of Sean Ellis’ fight for justice after a wrongful conviction. Learn more and purchase tickets.

NEIP Executive Director Awarded Liberation Leader Honor

Boston Women’s Fund Honors NEIP Executive Director
as 2024 Liberation Leader


In September 2024, The Boston Women’s Fund honored 40 Liberation Leaders who have contributed outstanding work toward racial, gender, economic, and social justice in Greater Boston, including the New England Innocence Project’s Executive Director, Radha Natarajan.

The honor was given for exemplary leadership and dedication to advancing the welfare of the community through the disruption and dismantlement of oppressive systems. Congratulations, Radha!

Bearing witness: A day of torment and of hope

 
 

To our community, 

Yesterday was a day of torment and a day of hope.

In Missouri, far from our work in New England but close to our hearts that long for justice, Marcellus Williams, a client of the Midwest Innocence Project, was murdered by execution. There were serious questions about the reliability and integrity of that conviction, so much so that the prosecutors and victim’s family also opposed his execution and attempted to spare his life. Despite the millions of people who spoke out urgently against this execution, the Attorney General, trial court, Governor, Missouri Supreme Court, and the United States Supreme Court all ensured that the death penalty would be carried out against Mr. Williams.

We stand firmly against the death penalty. With wrongful convictions being overturned every day, demonstrating how easy it is for us to get it wrong, the death penalty should never be an option. There’s no public safety benefit to pretending that an irreversibly punitive system is flawless and serves justice.

Massachusetts also used to have the death penalty. Many people believed then – as they do now – that there were enough safeguards in our system to prevent an innocent person from being wrongfully convicted and executed. Many people thought then – as they do now – that it is easy to tell if someone is innocent or guilty simply by believing the narrative told by the media or officials who all too often rely on mistaken eyewitnesses, incentivized witnesses, flawed forensics, false confessions, and racial bias. Unfortunately, these are just myths. A clear example of this is when our client, Gary Cifizzari, was convicted and sentenced for murder, the judge was so certain of his guilt that he lamented not being able to impose the death penalty. But that judge was wrong. Gary Cifizzari was innocent and was finally exonerated after 35 years in prison.

We know all too well that even cases that appear to have powerful evidence of guilt can fall apart when that evidence is tested. In fact, as we waited to hear whether our worst fears would be realized in Missouri, we were here in Massachusetts fighting to overturn another wrongful conviction, that of our client Edward Wright, based on new DNA evidence and evidence that was wrongfully withheld by the government.

After 40 years in prison and five previous attempts to overturn his wrongful conviction, Edward Wright was back in court yesterday with hope. It was a packed courtroom, with loved ones, Exoneree Network members, advocates, and our incredible legal team that includes attorneys from Skadden and Quinn Emanuel. I and my co-counsel, Stephanie Hartung, were honored to argue the case in court. We don’t know what will happen next, but we cannot stop fighting for justice for our community, even with tragedies, setbacks, resistance, and all the myths that permeate our criminal legal system.

Every case is a fight, and we must all bear witness to both the devastation of the losses we endure and the joy of freedom and community when we prevail. This work holds the possibility of something better for individuals, families, communities, and truly, for all of us. With so many innocent people still in prison, we cannot possibly give up hope. And we won’t.

In grief and solidarity,

 

Radha Natarajan
Executive Director
New England Innocence Project

Massachusetts State Senator Patricia Jehlen to Receive 2024 ARC OF JUSTICE Award

Presented by the New England Innocence Project in honor of the Senator’s 20+ years of fighting on behalf of wrongfully convicted people and their families

On September 12 at City Winery Boston, as the New England Innocence Project commemorates 20 years of fighting for freedom at their annual storytelling event, Voices of the Innocent, the social justice nonprofit will honor Senator Patricia Jehlen for her more than 20 years of dedicated service in support of wrongfully convicted people and their families.

Over the last two decades, Senator Jehlen has passed landmark legislation to compensate victims of wrongful convictions. Working directly with people who have been exonerated, their loved ones, and advocates, Senator Jehlen has tirelessly fought for people who have endured the trauma of wrongful imprisonment and long-term incarceration, ensuring that they are supported in freedom and compensated for what they have suffered.

Senator Jehlen has helped people understand that, when someone is exonerated and freed, they are not automatically given support or assistance from the state that wrongfully convicted them. Instead, exonerees are required to go back to court, fight for compensation, and even when they succeed, they do not always receive an adequate sum for such a tragic injustice.

Senator Jehlen has championed funding for the Exoneree Network, a program of the New England Innocence Project that creates a thriving community for families impacted by long-term incarceration and provides direct support, including housing, financial stipends, therapeutic spaces, and more.

“The New England Innocence Project has helped free numerous innocent people, often after decades in prison,” says Senator Jehlen. “I worked to pass the 2004 Wrongful Convictions compensation law, based on stories like that of Lawyer Johnson. But even when people like Sean Ellis were exonerated after decades in prison, they had to fight for months or even years to get any compensation. I'll continue to work for reform with the New England Innocence Project and the Exoneree Network. I'm honored to receive this award, and am so grateful for their dedication to justice for people unjustly robbed of their liberty.”

“Senator Jehlen has devoted her time, and heart, to wrongfully convicted people and their families so that their long-fought freedom can be a time of joy and reunification. Her work has been a salve for the trauma caused by wrongful incarceration,” says Radha Natarajan, Executive Director of the New England Innocence Project.

The ARC OF JUSTICE Award recognizes the special contributions of a community member who “bends the arc of the moral universe toward justice.” Senator Jehlen has been an incredible partner to the New England Innocence Project over the last 20 years and has truly bent the arc of the moral universe toward more justice for wrongfully convicted people.

Event & Arc of Justice Award Presentation Details:
Voices of the Innocent: Free Us All!
September 12, Program at 7:00 p.m.
City Winery Boston  |  80 Beverly Street, Boston, MA

“Senator Patricia Jehlen’s unwavering support of the Exoneree Network has provided not just a voice for the wrongfully convicted but a lifeline to hope and healing,” says exoneree and Director of the Exoneree Network, Sean Ellis. “She understands that justice doesn’t end with exoneration—it extends to rebuilding lives, restoring dignity, and ensuring that every exoneree has the opportunity to thrive. Her leadership is a continuation of hope for those of us who have faced the unimaginable, and her work stands as a powerful reminder that true justice is rooted in humanity and compassion. The Arc of Justice Award is a testament to her unyielding commitment to creating a more just and equitable commonwealth.”

About Voices of the Innocent: Free Us All!
Join us in celebrating our 20th anniversary as a nonprofit at Voices of the Innocent, the New England Innocence Project’s annual storytelling event and fundraiser. At this unique and powerful event, we will hear stories from innocent people impacted by wrongful convictions and their loved ones and learn what it takes to persevere in the fight for freedom.

Funds raised through this event directly support the work of the New England Innocence Project by providing forensic testing, investigation, experts, an experienced legal team, and social service advocates to free innocent people, bring them home to their loved ones, and help them rebuild their lives in freedom. Through public support, we can also educate and advocate for systemic change to prevent future tragedies.  Learn more at www.newenglandinnocence.org/voicesoftheinnocent.

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Our Impact Report is Here!

Your Support Makes a Big Impact
Impact Report: June 2023 - 2024

Every June, we reflect back on our journey together, celebrate our collective impact, and prepare for the fight ahead. While this work is often heartbreaking and bittersweet, we’re clearly making an impact. And we will never stop. With your help, we can make freedom possible for people who have been wrongfully convicted and help directly impacted people find community and begin to heal.

As you can see in this year’s Impact Report below, when you make a gift to the New England Innocence Project, you help to:

  • Free people throughout New England who have been wrongfully convicted and reunite them with their loved ones — people like Tommy Rosa, Jason Carroll, and Edward Wright

  • Shine a light on injustice and amplify the stories of people most impacted

  • Support preventative solutions to address systemic issues that lead to wrongful convictions, including banning deception in police interrogations

  • Shift policy to help more people find a path to freedom and provide just compensation for those who have suffered a wrongful conviction

  • Support people upon their release and help them rebuild in freedom

Click below to view an interactive PDF of our June 2023 - 2024 Impact Report and learn more about memorable moments and some of the many ways your support has been making an impact over the last 12 months.

Click each photo in the report for detailed impact updates

Our Legislative Efforts: June 2023-2024

Impacting Policy Through the Legislature:
A Look Back at Our Legislative Efforts
June 2023-2024

At the New England Innocence Project, we use every avenue available to prevent wrongful convictions and provide support for people released after a wrongful conviction. While correcting wrongful convictions largely happens one individual and one family at a time, our policy efforts have the potential to affect change for entire communities statewide.

Here are just some of the initiatives we have championed this year, oftentimes with community partners:

Banning Deception in Interrogations in Massachusetts

This year, we partnered with Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian to pursue legislation (H.3922) that would end deception in interrogations and mandate the recording of interrogations in Massachusetts. In Massachusetts and 40 other states, there are no laws preventing the police from lying to someone to compel a confession. Research shows that a person is more likely to give a false confession when police lie during an interrogation. These unreliable statements lead to wrongful convictions.

At a legislative briefing in January, exoneree Terrill Swift came to Massachusetts to speak at the State House about the importance of banning deception and recording interrogations. He spent 15 years in prison based on a false confession before DNA and other evidence demonstrated his innocence. Terrill joined interrogation experts Mark Fallon and Haley Cleary to discuss how this legislation would be a tremendous step forward in the Commonwealth in ensuring the reliability of confession evidence and preventing wrongful convictions based on false confessions.

While we were not successful in passing this legislation this year, we began the long process of shifting public opinion about the importance of banning deception and recording interrogations through our education and awareness efforts. You can hear more about the effort to pursue this legislation on a podcast episode of “Conversations with Kate” and through the Fact Sheet for this bill.

You can read an excerpt from the testimony by NEIP Executive Director Radha Natarajan below:
“For the last 8 years, I have had a front-row seat to what it takes to overturn a conviction in Massachusetts. It can sometimes take decades to correct even one wrongful conviction, during which time the person loses their freedom as well as family members, health, and so much more. With this bill, you have the opportunity to prevent one of the leading causes of wrongful conviction and prevent this kind of trauma at a systemic level. 

Deception is a key reason why people confess to a crime they never committed. And there are many factors that can make people more susceptible to falsely confessing through deception: age, cognitive impairment, mental illness, and things like hunger and sleep deprivation. Many of these are lifelong and impact people well beyond the age of 18. 

False confessions virtually guarantee a wrongful conviction. That’s especially true where the statements made, or the deceptive tactics used, were not recorded. Recording interrogations is necessary to uncover false confessions.”

Compensating Those Wrongfully Convicted in Massachusetts

When we walk with someone into freedom, while it is a joyous moment, their fight does not end there. Exonerees face challenges receiving compensation for all they have lost. This year, we partnered with Senator Patricia Jehlen, Representative Jeffrey Roy, and Representative Christopher Worrell to pursue fairer and more comprehensive compensation for exonerees in Massachusetts. On Wrongful Conviction Day, Oct. 2, 2023, people directly impacted held a press conference at the State House to speak about the losses they faced while wrongfully convicted, the challenges they endured upon release, and the need for improved compensation by the state. We know that legislative changes take a long time and are hopeful that our efforts will translate to a meaningful impact for our community members in the near future.

Second Look Sentencing in Rhode Island

We know that our work to correct wrongful convictions is often met with fierce resistance and one of the most difficult legal landscapes to navigate. Innocent people sometimes have to pursue repeated post-conviction litigation over decades to finally succeed at overturning their wrongful conviction. We are always looking for alternative ways for people to gain their freedom while we continue to fight their wrongful conviction, and “Second Look Sentencing” provides such an opportunity. We testified in support of S2228 and H7102 to create an accessible way for courts to reexamine long-term carceral sentences. Given how many of our innocent clients have faced, and continue to face, life sentences without the possibility of parole, we will continue to fight for a path to freedom through an opportunity to demonstrate how their further incarceration does not create safety for our community. 

You can read an excerpt from the testimony by NEIP Staff Attorney Laura Carey below:
“In the United States, there have been 3,493 exonerations, or cases in which a person was wrongly convicted of a crime and later cleared of all the charges based on new evidence of innocence.  917 of these innocent people were originally given extremely long sentences - life, life without parole, or death.  These wrongful convictions were the result of flaws in our criminal legal system - both mistakes and purposeful wrongdoing, including mistaken eyewitnesses, unreliable forensic evidence, and coerced confessions.   And they are just the tip of the iceberg.  At the New England Innocence Project we receive hundreds of letters from innocent people in prison throughout New England each year asking for our help.

The proposed bill gives individuals like my client, John, a second chance – a forum to present evidence of his factual innocence, his admirable disciplinary record over the last almost 30 years, and the person he has become.  This chance would provide hope and hope is often all innocent individuals have to hold on to while incarcerated, fighting for their freedom and their very lives.

The risk of sentencing an innocent person to die in prison is not hypothetical, it is real.  Reviewing lengthy sentences provides an important mechanism to scrutinize potential wrongful convictions with the benefit of time, advancements in science and understanding, and new facts.  I hope Rhode Island will take this important step and pass H7102.”

Reducing Barriers to Challenging Wrongful Convictions in New Hampshire

Extending the statute of limitation for motions for new trial: We encounter many barriers to challenging wrongful convictions in our work throughout New England, including in New Hampshire where the statute of limitations requires that motions for new trial be filed within 3 years of the “rendition of the judgment.” This statute of limitations timeline is very difficult to meet and hinders wrongful conviction litigation.  The changes proposed by SB507 extend the statute of limitations for motions for new trial in certain circumstances and would offer a meaningful pathway to overturning wrongful convictions.  The bill has passed the House and Senate, but is still awaiting the Governor's signature. 

You can read an excerpt from the testimony in support of SB 507 by NEIP NH Staff Attorney Cynthia Mousseau below:
“In 2016, the National Registry for Exonerations reported that an average exoneration took 11 years, almost three times the New Hampshire limit. Wrongful conviction work is slow for many reasons: it is hard to find case documents years after the case was closed, witnesses have died or moved, scientific understanding of evidence has changed, etc.

In New Hampshire, where only 3 exonerations have occurred and there is only one attorney looking into these cases full time, the 3-year limitation period is preventing viable claims of innocence from coming to light.”

Recording police interrogations: Failing to ensure that all police interrogations are recorded not only deprives the court process of the transparency and accountability that should be its hallmarks, but often results in the incarceration of people for crimes they did not commit. SB 80 would require recording of all police interrogations and we have continued our educational and advocacy campaigns around this issue in the past year. Currently, this has been referred to interim study but we are continuing our fight to push it forward.

You can read an excerpt from our educational campaign from NEIP NH Staff Attorney Cynthia Mousseau below:
“Recording police interrogations can ensure that evidence is reliable, honest, and as accurate as possible.  In a criminal legal system that relies on evidence, only the most accurate and objective evidence should be accepted.  

We can and should promote transparency and the best and most accurate evidence in our courtrooms. Recording interrogations brings reliability to the criminal legal process and could very well prevent wrongful convictions in the future.”

Passing new laws can take a long time and requires a great deal of community support. As we continue to pursue change throughout New England, we hope you will support our efforts with calls to your legislators and with educating your neighbors on some of the important issues that need our collective attention. Together, we know we can create meaningful change for all of us. 

Our Amicus Work: June 2023-2024

Shifting Policy Through the Courts:
A Look Back at Our Amicus Efforts, June 2023-2024

At the New England Innocence Project, we know that impact means both working on individual cases where we can walk with people into freedom and making systemic changes to fight injustice in the criminal legal system. Amicus support is one way we attempt to create change and shift judicial policy on issues that matter to our community. We file briefs in cases where we believe the perspectives of our community should be represented and where we have some expertise that might help the Court in deciding a case. We have a very active amicus practice because we know that every decision the Court makes can impact us and so we must make sure that we take every opportunity to be heard. We also work in coalition with other community organizations with whom we are aligned in values and vision.

In some cases where we file an amicus brief, the Court adopts our position. In others, the Court sidesteps the issue that we have briefed or decides differently. Whether we believe that we will ultimately be successful, our goal in our amicus practice is to be honest about what we see and what our community experiences in the criminal legal system. We know that change takes a long time, but in order to make the law more responsive to people’s needs and community demands, we believe that we must speak plainly and truthfully, even if it is not initially accepted. We are experts at persevering, and our amicus practice is no different.

In the last year, we have filed numerous amicus letters and briefs in the Supreme Judicial Court. Here are just a few of the issues we have been raising with the Court in the last year:

  • It is never too late for justice. Where new science on eyewitness memory demonstrates that a person was identified through highly suggestive procedures in 1976, leading to a real risk of misidentification and wrongful conviction, a person must be able to get a new trial - a fair trial - where the jury has the opportunity to weigh the evidence in light of what we now know. Commonwealth v. Raymond Gaines.

  • Innocent people who were wrongfully convicted and incarcerated should be financially compensated for all they have suffered. The compensation statute should be interpreted broadly to protect innocent people, and in any event, innocent people should not be worse off because the Commonwealth chose to dismiss charges rather than test them with a jury. Commonwealth v. Roberto Cruz. 

  • Courts should always have the power to correct wrongful or disproportionate verdicts. In addition, experts about racism and trauma should not be held to a higher standard than other experts. Commonwealth v. Daniel Rogers.

  • Where an innocent person can feel pressured to “take responsibility” for the crime of which they were convicted in exchange for a chance at freedom, a person’s statements to a parole board should not be used to defeat an otherwise meritorious claim that they were wrongfully convicted. Commonwealth v. McDermott.

  • Misleading forensic testimony and government misconduct are leading causes of wrongful conviction, and the new DNA evidence in this case, alongside a confluence of factors, warrant a new trial. Commonwealth v. Marrero. 

  • To safeguard the presumption of innocence and prevent wrongful convictions, prosecutors must fulfill their duty to investigate both known and potential police misconduct. Graham v. District Attorney of Hampden County.

Our amicus work is just one of many ways we advocate for freedom and fight against injustice, and we are grateful to our community partners, with whom we work in coalition, as well as our pro bono partners, who support this aspect of our work.  The fight continues.

Exoneree Network: Community Impact, June 2023-2024

Supporting Exonerees and Freed People as they Rebuild
June 2023 - 2024


As this community continues to grow, the Exoneree Network (EN) team is hard at work supporting exonerees and their family members, people freed but still fighting a wrongful conviction, and those coming home after long-term incarceration. It has been a busy year for the Exoneree Network, helping people rebuild their lives, and here are just a few of the highlights:

Building the Team

Director Sean Ellis continues to build out this incredible team of people who are skilled and deeply committed to this work based on their backgrounds and life experiences.  With the assistance of Operation A.B.L.E., the Exoneree Network created two part-time positions for individuals who have been freed but are still fighting their legal battles, providing them with much-needed employment opportunities and job skills to enter the workforce after more than 70 years of collective incarceration. 

We are thrilled to have the talents and experience of our new team members:
Raymond Gaines, Peer Advocate
Stephen Pina, Community Engagement Associate

Community Impact

The Exoneree Network has been actively supporting community members and their families through various initiatives over the past year.  Some of our key achievements include:

  • Increased Engagement in Programming: In the last year, the total number of exonerees attending EN programs increased by more than 400%. In addition, the average number of programs attended by each exoneree more than doubled.

  • Increased Program Offerings: We increased our program offerings by 3 times and included more gatherings, therapeutic support, technology and financial literacy training, and opportunities to share stories.

  • Seasonal Stipend Program Launch: EN launched a seasonal stipend program, distributing 94 stipends amounting to $47,000 in direct cash assistance to community members.

  • Tech Trainings with Deloitte: In collaboration with Deloitte, EN organized three tech training sessions for exonerees, enhancing their skills and technological literacy.

  • Support Groups: EN facilitated three support groups, providing emotional and social support to community members.

  • Wellness Retreats: EN hosted four wellness retreats, benefiting exonerees and their significant others, focusing on communication and mental health.

  • Housing & Rental Assistance: EN allocated $16,000 to assist exonerees with rental expenses. The Exoneree Network has also created a “Freedom House” to provide immediate transitional housing for people returning from long-term incarceration, aiding in their reintegration into society.

  • New Day Funds: EN provided $4,000 in new day funds to support various immediate needs of exonerees.

Bringing Our Community Together

The EN hosted or participated in several community events throughout the year, including:

  • A storytelling workshop with Stellar Story for people directly impacted by wrongful convictions. Attendees began to cultivate a personal story library they could draw from when sharing their unique experiences in order to effect change.

  • The third annual Celebration of Freedom & Community at Kimball Farm for people directly impacted and their loved ones to come together to connect, share, and heal.

  • The annual Innocence Network Conference in New Orleans, the world's largest gathering of exonerees, freed people, their families, and advocates. This year, we had 15 exonerees and freed people from New England attend. Collectively, they lost more than 415 years wrongfully imprisoned.

Raising Awareness

The Exoneree Network has seen great success in using our platform to raise awareness about wrongful convictions and the long and difficult journey exonerees and freed people face upon release, including:

  • Advocating for fellow community members by showing up to court hearings to lend support

  • Fighting for legislative reforms that uplift, restore dignity, and instill hope along the journey to freedom, including just compensation for people who have been wrongfully convicted.

  • Working toward the goal of ensuring all exonerees and freed people know they are not alone and have access to support upon their release

Fourth Annual Celebration of Freedom & Community

Attendees Lost a Collective 845 Years to Wrongful Imprisonment

Photo Credit: Craig Bailey


“To see these faces of people I knew on the inside, and to now see them on the outside in freedom, this is powerful stuff.”

On June 1, we came together at the fourth annual Celebration of Freedom & Community at Kimball Farm, a private event for exonerees, freed people, and their loved ones. We shared what freedom and community mean to each of us and celebrated how much our community has grown and continues to grow. Collectively, attendees of this year’s event lost 845 years wrongfully imprisoned. While the journey is marked with joy and sadness, we are grateful when we can come together to heal and uplift each other.