Students in Saint Anselm College’s Criminal Justice program had the fascinating opportunity to hear from Sean Ellis, the man who spent nearly 22 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
Today, Ellis is the Director of the Exoneree Network for the New England Innocence Project. His conviction for the 1993 murder of Boston Police Detective John Mulligan was eventually overturned in the case that was the subject of the Netflix docuseries Trial 4.
Ellis engaged students in a discussion about police corruption and systematic racism, and how he was able to adapt to life after so many years of being wrongfully convicted. Students asked him many questions, including how he remained hopeful in prison. Ellis credited his family for giving him strength.
“The experience was so beneficial for the students because [Ellis] brought to light a call for change; highlighting the shortcomings and injustices of how the justice system operates at times,” said Criminal Justice Prof. Mikaela Weinstein ’22 MA ’24. Weinstein worked with late Prof. John “Jack” Humphrey to bring Ellis to campus for this compelling guest talk.