Minneapolis Attorney Leads Team Exonerating Louisiana Death Row Inmate

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Michael and Ed upon Michael’s release in February, 2023Ponchatoula, Louisiana native Michael Wearry spent the last 25 years in prison. He was charged with murder in the 1998 death of a 16-year-old pizza delivery driver and sentenced to death. Wearry spent 14 years on Angola Prison’s death row in an 8 by 9-foot cell in solitary confinement.

The U.S. Supreme Court reversed his conviction in 2016 after ruling that prosecutors failed to disclose evidence that could have helped his defense. The court stated that prosecutors should have turned over evidence casting doubt on the credibility of a prison informant and another witness who testified against Wearry.

The court also said the state failed to disclose medical records raising questions about a witness' description of the crime. Mr. Wearry’s case drew national attention.

Ed CassidyQ:  What does this have to do with Minneapolis?

A:  A lot. The attorney who led his death row exoneration is Edward Cassidy of Fredrikson & Byron. Cassidy spent countless hours as lead counsel, and Counsel of Record at the United States Supreme Court on Wearry’s case. For his pro bono efforts, he was named 2016 Attorney of the Year  from Minnesota Lawyer.

Q:  Why is this news now?

A:  Michael Wearry finally walked out of the Hunt Prison in Louisiana as a free man on February 15, 2023. Attorney Cassidy was there to greet him.

The path to overturning wrongful convictions is long and exhausting – for the wrongfully accused and the attorneys who take on the cases. Fredrikson took this case in 2009.

“I’m incredibly pleased with the outcome of this case and to see Michael finally leave the prison as a free man,” said Cassidy. “He is getting his life back and is able to reconnect with his family, including grandchildren.”

John Koneck“This case represents Fredrikson’s commitment, against all odds, to pro bono work,” said John M. Koneck, president of Fredrikson. “We applaud Ed and his team for the tremendous time, effort, and excellent skill and legal work to bring this case to a successful conclusion, given the many challenges over such a long period of time. We encourage our attorneys to take on pro bono work, and our attorneys and staff contribute thousands of hours in pro bono services to individuals in need and nonprofit organizations throughout the local and national community.”

We salute you, Ed Cassidy and Frederickson & Bryon, for your social justice work!