15 years old.
Wrongfully
convicted.
Eddie O'Brien was a teenager when he was convicted of a murder he did not commit. The evidence — suppressed, ignored, and misrepresented — tells a different story. This is that story.
Conviction
Incarcerated
Fingerprints Found
Supporting Alibi
O'Brien
Born and raised in the tight-knit community of Prospect Hill, Somerville, Massachusetts, Eddie O'Brien was fifteen years old when he was convicted of a murder he did not commit in 1995. What followed was a decades-long fight for truth by Eddie, his family, and those who believe in his innocence.
Despite the challenges of incarceration, Eddie has dedicated himself to self-improvement and education. His lawyers are working on a Rule 30 new trial motion, challenging evidence suppression, juror misconduct, and the integrity of key testimony.
Read Eddie's Full Statement →"I would first like the public to know that I am innocent of this murder and I am working with a team of lawyers on filing a new trial motion."
— Eddie O'Brien, in his own words
The Evening Timeline
A minute-by-minute reconstruction of the evening in question, built from witness statements, grand jury testimony, and police reports.
Interview with Belonny Michel
Early evening witness account placing individuals in the neighborhood. Part of the foundation for establishing the timeline.
View Document (PDF) →Paul Downing Jr. — Grand Jury Testimony
Testimony given to the grand jury at 8:00 PM. Compare with the 8:30 PM testimony for significant inconsistencies that were never addressed at trial.
View Document (PDF) →Paul Downing Jr. — Second Testimony
A second round of grand jury testimony from Paul Downing Jr. within the same evening. Contradictions between the 8:00 and 8:30 PM statements are central to the case against the prosecution's narrative.
View Document (PDF) →John Roberts Letter
Written account submitted as part of the record. Context and implications detailed within the document.
View Document (PDF) →Eddie Leaves Home — Confirmed by Family
Multiple statements confirm Eddie left his home at approximately 9:10 PM. This places him away from the crime scene at the critical time. Corroborated by Edward O'Brien, Jessica O'Brien, John Fitzpatrick, Seth Dion, and Marco Abreu.
View Witness Reports →David and Ann Lee Testimony
Independent witnesses David and Ann Lee corroborate the alibi timeline. Testimony from the Lees is a key part of the alibi evidence.
View Document (PDF) →Ryan Downing Testimony
Ryan Downing's testimony contains significant inconsistencies with earlier statements that were not adequately examined at trial.
View Document (PDF) →Officer Steven Johnson's Report
Official police report filed following the incident. Contains details relevant to the investigation's handling and scope.
View Document (PDF) →Cross-Exam of Anthony Stamatouras by Mr. George
Defense cross-examination of a key prosecution witness, raising significant questions about reliability and consistency.
View Document (PDF) →Exculpatory Evidence
The following documents contain evidence that was suppressed, ignored, or misrepresented during trial. Each card summarizes why the document matters.
Fingerprint Analysis
No fingerprints matching Eddie O'Brien were recovered from the crime scene. The prosecution never addressed this absence. This document details the full fingerprint analysis and its findings.
View DocumentDenial of DNA Testing of Other Suspects
The prosecution refused to allow DNA testing of other possible suspects. This document records that denial — a key element of the wrongful conviction argument and grounds for a new trial.
View DocumentExculpatory Evidence and Location
Redacted document detailing evidence that places Eddie in a different location at the time of the crime. This directly contradicts the prosecution's timeline.
View DocumentJuly 25, 1997 Report
A report filed after the trial containing information that was not presented to the jury. The contents raise serious questions about what evidence was withheld and why.
View DocumentJuror Misconduct
Documentation of misconduct that occurred during jury deliberations. This is one of the primary grounds for the Rule 30 new trial motion currently being filed by Eddie's legal team.
View DocumentSerology — Chemist Mary Kate McEilvray
Forensic serology report by the prosecution's own chemist. The findings, when read carefully, do not support the prosecution's narrative and include data never fully explained to the jury.
View DocumentQuestionable Testimony
Key witnesses whose testimony contains inconsistencies, contradictions, or other credibility concerns that were not adequately addressed at trial.
Artie Ortiz
Testimony that raises significant credibility questions. Inconsistencies between statements made prior to trial and testimony given under oath were not adequately challenged during proceedings.
Bob Pino (Chemist)
Expert testimony from the prosecution's chemist contains methodological questions and conclusions that went unchallenged. The underlying data supports a more ambiguous interpretation than presented to the jury.
Paul Downing
Testimony from Paul Downing contains multiple inconsistencies. The timeline discrepancies between his 8:00 PM and 8:30 PM grand jury appearances were never reconciled.
Ryan Downing
Ryan Downing gave contradictory accounts across different phases of the evening. The discrepancies between early and later Saturday night statements paint a picture of unreliable testimony.
Judge Paul Heffernan
Documentation from the juvenile transfer hearing presided over by Judge Heffernan. Relevant to questions about how the case was handled from its earliest stages.
Virginia Reckley
Witness testimony and associated documents. Part of the broader evidentiary record that the new trial motion will draw upon.
Help Bring Eddie Home
Thirty years is too long. The truth is documented. What Eddie needs now is public attention, legal pressure, and people willing to amplify his story.
Donate to Eddie's Legal Fund
Filing a Rule 30 new trial motion requires legal fees, expert witnesses, and forensic review. Every contribution goes directly toward Eddie's defense.