A Black man was released from prison on Monday after spending decades behind bars in a New York prison for the murder of a Hofstra University coach.
Christopher Ellis, now 51, was convicted in 1992 for murdering a Hofstra University assistant coach, but according to Judge Patricia Harrington, the conviction should be thrown out because it was based on testimony from a single eyewitness but “no forensic or physical evidence.”
“I feel wonderful,” Ellis told PIX11 after his release. “I want to just run to the car so we can get out of here.”
Hofstra assistant football coach Joseph Healy was killed while sitting with friends outside of a fast-food restaurant in 1990. The killing received major media attention and police were under pressure to apprehend a suspect.
Police said the killing was a botched robbery and when then 20-year-old Ellis and two other men were arrested in connection with another robbery the following year, authorities questioned them about Healy’s death. Ellis was questioned for 18 hours without food, water or adequate sleep until he eventually confessed to Healy’s murder, his lawyer said. Ellis immediately recanted.
Authorities weren’t sure which of the men was the gunman and witnesses were split on whether Ellis was there at all. He has maintained his innocence since his confession.
Ellis was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for Healy’s murder. His conviction was overturned because new evidence reviewed by The Nassau County Conviction Integrity Unit showed that notes taken by a detective indicated that other suspects may have been responsible for the murder, although the information was not disclosed during the trial.
The Nassau County Conviction Integrity Unit began investigating claims that Ellis was wrongly convicted in 2019.
“These memo-pad notes were not contained in the District Attorney’s file, and further investigation revealed that they had never been turned over to the defendant or the two co-defendants as required under Brady v. Maryland. Upon discovery, the Conviction Integrity Unit promptly disclosed the notes to Mr. Ellis’ attorney, Ilaan Maazel,” NCDA Communications Director Brendan Brosh said in his statement.
“The NCDA has no basis to believe that the failure to disclose the notes was intentional, or that the prosecutor was even aware of their existence. The Conviction Integrity Unit was unable to confer with the former prosecutor because he passed away in September 2018.”
Ilann Maazel, an attorney for Ellis blamed the Nassau Police Department for the error. “The Nassau County Police Department hid evidence, hid leads, hid confessions,” Maazel said. “They coerced confessions. They violated the law.”
The Nassau District Attorney’s Office contends that the withheld evidence was a mistake. “The NCDA has no basis to believe that the failure to disclose the notes was intentional or that the prosecutor was even aware of their existence,” the office said.
Ellis said he’s thankful to have his freedom back and Maazel declared, “It’s a great day for justice.” Ellis said his first stop after being released would be to get some raisin ice cream.
The district attorney’s office has not yet decided whether Ellis will be retried for Healy’s murder.
