Yesterday, Susan Mellen was released from prison after doing 17 years for a murder she did not commit. She was serving a term of life without the possibility of parole.
Thanks in large part to the work of the organization Innocence Matters, a year-long investigation revealed that she was convicted solely on the basis of testimony from a woman who was proven to be a pathological liar, and that the defense at her trial had not researched that, and it was not presented in her defense.
The judge took only two minutes to vacate her conviction and dismiss her case. He was quoted as saying, “Ms. Mellen is not only not guilty. I believe, based on what I’ve read, that Ms. Mellen is innocent.” “The justice system failed.” The prosecution cooperated.
See the DAILY BREEZE story here.
Wrongful Convictions Blog 
Thanks, Phil.
Reblogged this on innocencemattersblog and commented:
Thanks for covering this story. We’re overjoyed and having so much fun with our dear nutty Susan now that she’s out! Got her first cut and color in 17 years today!
Phil Locke, Thanks for writing this article.
To Deirdre O’Connor, Outstanding victory! And you exonerated a woman besides, where few others have. We need you in Arizona, to free our daughter, Courtney Bisbee. Keep up your outstanding work. It truly makes a huge difference.
Deirdre O’Conner, Susan Mellin’s Hero lawyer!!
Exclusive: 17 years in prison for a murder she didn’t commit – Yahoo News 10/14/14
http://news.yahoo.com/katie-couric-interviews-susan-mellen-freed-from-prison-after-17-years-200940337.html?soc_src=td-applet-sapphire-header
Deirdre O’Conner, of the Innocence Matters Project in California is a Public Hero. Please consider visiting the I.M. website at http://www.innocencematters.org
While you are there, consider signing up for the Newsletter and if you have some spare time you could leave the I.M. Team some kind words at team@innocencematters.org
Thank you, Phil for taking time to report on this travesty of justice and may it lead to more being freed / exonerated based on other bogus testimony provided by this rogue / evil witness. I look forward to Updates because this isn’t the final chapter, those that wronged her must be held accountable. If one million women took one day off from work (on a Monday) and protested from their homes and the steps of court houses from coast to coast, the nation would wake up and see that the system isn’t broken at all, it’s rigged.
Congrats to everyone involved and may Mrs. Mellen live in peace and harmony as the taxpayers of California pay for the sins of those charged with protecting and serving the community at large.
PNG: of Texas
Mr. Griffith, Well said. “the nation would wake up and see that the system isn’t broken at all, it’s rigged.” Your one-million women on the courthouse steps is a great idea. Right now their voices are being heard on the internet, gaining momentum. Deidre O’Connor is a Public Hero because she tackled a woman’s exoneration case where others have chosen to ignore the women for years. Deidre’s victory, makes Mrs. Mellen’s exoneration sweeter, yet.
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