Decades of Innocence: Michael Sullivan's Long Journey to Freedom and Justice

Michael Sullivan spent 27 years in prison for a murder he insisted he never committed. A Massachusetts jury recently declared him innocent, awarding him $13 million, though state regulations cap his compensation at $1 million. Sullivan's struggle highlights systemic issues in wrongful convictions.

Michael Sullivan's life was radically altered by a wrongful conviction, spending nearly three decades behind bars for a crime he did not commit. His journey toward justice culminated recently when a Massachusetts jury found him innocent of a 1986 murder and robbery, awarding him $13 million in compensation, a sum significantly reduced by state regulations capping it at $1 million.

Sullivan's nightmare began when he was convicted in 1987 for the murder of Wilfred McGrath, based on testimony from a state police chemist and a witness who implicated him. However, this verdict was overturned after new DNA evidence proved crucial in highlighting discrepancies in the original case. Sullivan was released in 2013 after being granted a new trial.

Despite his newfound freedom and potential financial security, Sullivan continues to grapple with the emotional and social fallout from his years in prison. He remains largely isolated, facing challenges in adapting to a vastly changed world, underscoring the long-lasting impact of wrongful convictions on individuals and their families.

(With inputs from agencies.)