After spending nearly 30 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, Michael Sullivan has been awarded $13 million by a Massachusetts jury, though state regulations cap rewards at $1 million for wrongful convictions.
Sullivan, now 64, was convicted in 1987 for the murder and robbery of Wilfred McGrath, a crime he consistently denied committing.
The jury also found that a state police chemist falsely testified at the trial, though this testimony did not solely determine his conviction.
Wrongful Conviction and Life Lost
Sullivan's wrongful conviction cost him dearly. During his decades behind bars, his mother and four siblings died, and his girlfriend moved on.
He endured numerous assaults in prison, including attacks that left him nearly losing his nose and an ear. Sullivan described his time in prison as "a tough life," especially for someone who knew he was innocent. "It's very hard on a person," he said, recalling the nightmare of his incarceration.
Sullivan's sister, Donna Faria, said the family "never for a minute" believed he was guilty. They supported him throughout the trial and imprisonment, with regular visits and calls. Despite their support, Faria lamented the life Sullivan missed, noting he "never had kids, never married like the rest of us did."
DNA Testing Clears Sullivan
Sullivan's fate began to change in 2011 when his attorney requested DNA testing on evidence that had been pivotal in his conviction.
The tests found no blood or DNA from McGrath on the jacket prosecutors had argued tied Sullivan to the crime.
This evidence undermined the case as Boston attorney Dana Curhan pointed out: "At the prosecutor's closing, he essentially said, 'Hey, if he wasn't the one who did it, why did they find blood on both cuffs of the jacket?' Now, we don't have any blood nor a DNA match."
Following these findings, Sullivan was granted a new trial in 2012 and released in 2013. In 2019, the state declined to retry the case, citing witness deaths and diminished memories.
A Life Forever Changed
Though exonerated, Sullivan struggles to adjust to a world that changed dramatically during his incarceration.
Unable to find steady work or use a computer, he spends his days at his sister's house, caring for her pets and doing laundry.
Despite the financial award, Sullivan remains cautious about his future. He plans to save the money for his nieces and nephews, saying, "They'll have money. That will make me very happy."
Sullivan's lawyer has requested therapy and educational services as part of the judgment to help him rebuild his life, but Sullivan admits, "I'm still really not adjusted to the outside world."
This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.
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