Trial 4, an eight-part Netflix Original docuseries, tells the story of Sean Ellis’s wrongful conviction for the murder of a Boston Police Officer. Sean was just 19 years old when he was arrested. It was only after three trials that Sean was convicted, but the evidence used against him was unreliable. Sean spent 22 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, working with his lawyer Rosemary Scapicchio to expose the police corruption, systemic racism, official misconduct, and faulty forensics that led to his wrongful conviction. In 2018, Sean was exonerated.
Live Panel Discussion
Watch panelists Sean Ellis, exoneree and NEIP Trustee; Attorney Rosemary Scapicchio, Devin McCourty and Jason McCourty of the New England Patriots, and D.A. Rachael Rollins as they discuss truths and myths about the criminal legal system, the role race plays in the system, and how we must come together to fight for justice. Moderated by Radha Natarajan, Executive Director of the New England Innocence Project.
Sadly, Sean’s story is not unique. It is just one example of the countless injustices happening every day to people throughout New England and across the country. Since Sean’s release from prison, he has committed his time and energy to raising awareness of the fundamental failures of the criminal legal system and to supporting his family and community. He has spoken locally and nationally about the impact of wrongful convictions and the importance of mobilizing for change. Sean joined our Board of Trustees and is the Project Coordinator for and co-founder of the Exoneree Network, an initiative funded by NEIP to support the practical, emotional, and spiritual reentry needs of exonerees. Sean is an essential and integral part of the exoneree community and of the New England Innocence Project. Watch Trial 4 to learn more about Sean’s story.
What Can You Do to Help?
Wrongful convictions are not isolated incidents or the result of a few bad actors, but an inevitable result of a system designed to enslave Black and brown people. Therefore, if we don’t fight to change the system that perpetuates these injustices, there will always be wrongful convictions and more stories like Sean’s.
Leave a note of support for Sean
In the comments below, we welcome you to leave a note of support for Sean and/or your commitment to work alongside us to fight against injustice.
Be an ambassador
Share stories about wrongful convictions like Trial 4, and the work NEIP is doing to free innocent people from prison, with your family and friends and have a discussion about it. Real stories of injustice have the power to change minds and open hearts; they reveal our common humanity and can spark a movement and we need your help to amplify them.
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If you are moved by what you have seen, support the work we do together to correct and prevent wrongful convictions and suppport exonerees upon their release by making a donation.