Free After 30 Years: A Prison Wrongfully Imprisoned Man Journey to Rebuild His Life
Michael Sullivan, who spent nearly three decades behind bars for a murder he always maintained he didn’t commit, finally walked free in 2013. A Massachusetts jury’s recent decision awarded him $13 million, but that can’t erase the lost years or the scars of wrongful imprisonment.
Sullivan’s ordeal began in 1986 when he was convicted of robbing and murdering Wilfred McGrath. Despite insisting on his innocence, he was sentenced to life in prison, watching as his mother, siblings, and girlfriend built their lives without him. Inside, he endured countless hardships, from the brutal separation from his loved ones to brutal assaults that left him physically and emotionally scarred.
Could We Talk: The Trial
Sullivan’s conviction hinged on circumstantial evidence, including a detail about a purple jacket and a questionable testimony from a state police chemist. Years later, forensic testing would debunk this evidence, revealing there was no blood on the jacket. A key turning point came in 2011 when Dana Curhan, Sullivan’s determined attorney, pushed for DNA testing. The results, which were unavailable at the time of Sullivan’s trial, dramatically shifted the landscape of the case.
The Lack of Justice and a Leader with Blind Faith
No blood, and no DNA match to McGrath, meant the prosecutor’s assertion that Sullivan had beaten him into a bloody pulp fell apart. Despite the lack of forensic evidence against him, the state decided against retrying the case. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan explained this decision, citing challenges:
“It was virtually impossible for her office to successfully retry the case against Sullivan given the deaths of some witnesses, and a diminishment of the memories of other potential witnesses.”
Life After 30 Years of Wrongful Imprisonment
Adjusting to life outside prison after 30 years proved a monumental challenge for Sullivan. The world had changed drastically, leaving him feeling lost and uncertain. Even simple tasks, like using a computer, were daunting.
Worst of all, Sullivan couldn’t shake the sense of fear and isolation that came with his experience.
“I’m still really not adjusted to the outside world,” he confessed, adding, “I don’t go nowhere. I’m scared all the time … I’m pretty much a loner.”
Journey to Rebuild
Sullivan found refuge in the unwavering support of his sister, Donna Faria. “We never for a minute believed he killed McGrath,” Faria shared. She, along with their other siblings, visited him regularly, their unwavering belief helping him through the darkest hours.
Now , Sullivan spends his days seeking solace in the company of his Yorkshire terrier Buddy and pigeons he keeps at Faria’s house, helping with simple chores around the home. He has made peace with the knowledge that he will never fully recover from his lost time.
Still, Sullivan’s journey is far from over. He intends to use the jury’s financial award to do something meaningful for his nieces and nephews, who were born during his imprisonement. He plans to nurture their futures for years to come with the hopes of giving them a better life than he had.
His story serves as a stark reminder of the profound injustice that wrongful convictions inflict, leaving enduring scars even after exoneration. It’s also a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit, a story of hope in the face of unimaginable adversity, and the enduring power of familial love.
How did Michael Sullivan’s wrongful conviction impact his life?
## Interview: A Life Stolen, a Life Rebuilt
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re talking about a case that shocked the nation: the wrongful conviction and eventual exoneration of Michael Sullivan. Joining me is Michael himself, who spent nearly 30 years behind bars for a murder he didn’t commit. Michael, welcome to the show.
**Michael:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** You were just a young man when you were convicted. Can you tell us about the moment you were told you would be spending the rest of your life in prison?
**Michael:** I remember it like yesterday. The judge read the verdict, and it felt like the world stopped. I knew I was innocent, but no one believed me. Thirty years is a long time to carry that burden.
**Host:** You endured unimaginable hardship during your incarceration.
**Michael:** It was brutal. I missed out on family events, birthdays, weddings. The separation from my loved ones was the hardest part. Inside, there was violence, despair, and the constant fear that I might never see the outside world again.
**(Host nods sympathetically)**
**Host:** Thankfully, Dana Curhan, your attorney, never gave up on you.
**Michael:** Dana was incredible. She was relentless in her pursuit of justice.
**Host:** Her push for DNA testing in 2011 proved to be a turning point.
**Michael:** Absolutely. It showed there was no forensic evidence linking me to the crime.
**Host:** The District Attorney decided against retrying the case. What are your thoughts on that decision?
**Michael:** While I’m relieved to be free, it’s a bittersweet victory. Thirty years of my life were stolen. No amount of money can truly compensate for that.
**(Host pauses, allowing Michael’s words to sink in)**
**Host:** Your case highlights the devastating impact of wrongful convictions. Many exonerees, like Ginny who was mentioned in a recent study by the Michigan State Law Review [[1](https://www.michiganstatelawreview.org/vol-2021-2022/2022/4/25/the-psychological-consequences-of-a-wrongful-conviction-and-how-compensation-statutes-can-mitigate-the-harms)], struggle with mental health issues after their release.
**Michael:** It’s true. What happened to me has left deep scars. Rejoining society after so long is a constant struggle, and I know many other exonerees share that experience.
**Host:** What message do you have for people watching today?
**Michael:** Never give up hope. Fight for justice, even when all seems lost. And remember, wrongful convictions can happen to anyone. We need to work towards a system that is fairer and more just for all.
**Host:** Michael, thank you for sharing your story with us. We wish you all the best in your continuing journey of healing and rebuilding your life.