A documentary film titled “Unequal Justice? The Joe Donovan Story” recently aired on New England Cable News. The hour-long film by reporter Brad Puffer and producer Andrea LePain brought new information to light about Joe’s situation.
A statement from a second victim in the Yngve Raustein murder case supporting clemency for Joe.
Arne Fredheim, a friend of victim Yngve Raustein and witness to his murder, told NECN that Joe should be freed.
“In my opinion, [Donovan] did participate in the incident that caused the murder, but he is not a murderer. I feel sorry for him. Being punished for life for something that you did as a 17 year old boy? To me, that’s not justice. That’s wrong.”
A statement from the judge who presided over Donovan’s murder trial in support of the notion that Joe’s sentence was unfair when compared with those of his co-defendants.
“When I think about this case and I think about the outcome and I look back now in retrospect, the law has unfairly come down on Donovan. A person should not have to spend one minute, one second more, being incarcerated than they deserve to do.” – Retired Superior Court Justice Robert A. Barton.
Statements from jurors in the Donovan murder trial that the nature of Joe’s sentence is extreme in light of his role in the crime.
“In my heart, [Donovan] wasn’t guilty of murder. It disturbed me for years. It didn’t feel right, it just wasn’t right. People in our juror pool said ‘he’ll get out in a few years.’” – Juror Carolyn Butterworth
“Yes there was a murder committed, but [Donovan] literally did not commit the murder. He ended up taking the lion share of the blame for it because he was tried as an adult.” – Juror Ron Marchetti
Statements casting doubt on key testimony in the Donovan trial, which was essential to the jury’s guilty verdict against Joe Donovan for Felony Murder.
“[Donovan allegedly seeing the knife] was the most important factor in this case” – Judge Barton
“It would have made a huge difference in our decision making if [Donovan] didn’t see the knife.” – Juror Marchetti
“At this point. I don’t know. I really don’t know. I can’t even remember.” – Alfredo Velez, co-defendant in Yngve Raustein murder case. Velez, who testified as part of a plea bargain agreement that Donovan saw the knife used by murderer Shon McHugh prior to the crime, now says he can’t recall if that happened.
“It was me or them [McHugh and Joe Donovan]” – Velez, on his decision to testify against Donovan.
“Joe Donovan did not know Shon McHugh had a knife.” – Attorney Paul Gill, who represents Shon McHugh. This statement was released at the request of McHugh.
OTHER NEWS
Joe in The Boston Globe (01/15/12)
Joe in The Boston Globe (01/03/12)
Joe in The Boston Globe (12/25/11)
