News Digest

Life beyond bars: Exonerated after 17yrs in jail, Susan Mellen freed

Before last Friday, few people had heard the name Susan Mellen, but throughout the weekend her story began to spread across America, to the U.K., and even to Asia and Australia. Seventeen years ago, she had been arrested for the murder of Rick Daly, a transient man she once dated. The sentence was life in prison without the possibility of parole. Just last week, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold threw out the conviction, saying, “The justice system had failed in this case.” As she and her family make up for lost time, Mellen, 59, tells Yahoo News’ Katie Couric how she is enjoying the little things so many of us take for granted: hot showers, grocery shopping, and taking walks with her children.

It’s not real. I’m still trying to absorb it all. It’s amazing seeing my kids again. I’m so thankful.

Susan Mellen

Deidre O’Connor, Mellen’s current lawyer, said her client’s attorney at the time of the case and her conviction, was found in violation of ethical rules and had not represented a client adequately. Of the suspects in the murder case, O’Connor said one has been convicted, another acquitted of the charges, and a third never investigated. The key witness in the case was a known serial liar, the lawyer said.

This is what makes my blood boil. They went ahead and prosecuted Susie knowing the witness they had was not a credible witness.

Deidre O’Connor