On January 24, 2025, a jury in Nassau County unanimously acquitted ECBAWM client Christopher Ellis of second-degree murder and attempted robbery. This verdict comes after Mr. Ellis had spent more than 30 years in jail in connection with the death of a Hofstra University football coach in 1990.

The acquittal comes after a lengthy series of legal battles, including Mr. Ellis’ release in August 2021. Relying on questionable and uncertain witness testimony and a coerced confession, a jury convicted Mr. Ellis in 1992 of murder and attempted robbery. He remained incarcerated for over 3 decades. The police developed at least 11 different leads in the case. Shockingly, they kept both the leads and the investigations into each of these leads secret from Mr. Ellis and his co-defendants. These investigations included detailed notes and in some instances polygraph examination results.

Upon his release, ECBAWM Partner Ilann Maazel said, “The police showed absolutely no regard for Chris,” noting that during Mr. Ellis’ 18-hour interrogation he was denied food and drink and repeatedly roused from sleep. “He was worthless to them. And he is one of many young Black men who have had that experience.”

The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office then elected to retry Mr. Ellis for the same incident, resulting in the trial that concluded last week, where ECBAWM Partners Jonathan Abady and Earl Ward led the team toward the Not Guilty verdict. After finally being acquitted of the crime he had sworn for 30 years he had nothing to do with, Mr. Ellis, in a quote to Newsday, said “It’s about time. From day one, I’ve been telling them I’m innocent and nobody’s been listening to me until today.”

In response to the verdict, ECBAWM Partner Earl Ward said, “Chris’ acquittal after thirty years of wrongful incarceration reaffirms the flawed and broken nature of our criminal justice system.”

Mr. Ellis is represented by ECBAWM Partners Earl Ward, Jonathan Abady, and Ilann Maazel, along with Associates Eric Abrams and Vivake Prasad, and paralegal Toby Shore. The ECBAWM team is honored to have stood by Mr. Ellis’ side through his release and second trial, finally achieving the justice that was sought after for decades.

Press:
“Christopher Ellis acquitted in 1990 fatal shooting of Hofstra assistant coach Joseph Healy after serving more than 30 years in prison,” Newsday
“Man has LI murder conviction overturned after decades behind bars,” NY Post