Sorry, Anthony—A Tale that Took 16 Years to Unwind
When a Wrongful Verdict Became a Life‑Long Prison Break
In a turn of fate that feels straight out of a courtroom thriller, Anthony Broadwater has finally been freed after spending 16 years behind bars for a crime he never committed. The New York Court of Appeals exonerated him last week, following a thorough review that reopened his 1982 case.
- Anthony was convicted after Alice Sebold—then a college student—mistakenly identified him as the harasser
- The decision comes 40 years after the incident that inspired Sebold’s bestseller Lucky
- Sebold publicly apologized on Medium, saying she was “truly sorry” to Anthony
A Book that Was Started by Trauma, Yet Became a Career
In 1999, Sebold’s first novel, Lucky, turned her harrowing experience into a narrative that moved millions. The book’s success eventually opened doors to more bestsellers, including The Lovely Bones. Yet behind the triumph lies an unresolved chapter that re‑unveiled the system’s flaws.
Why the Tangled Relationship Still Matters
While the legal dust has settled, Sebold wrote a heartfelt note on Medium reflecting on her “traumatised 18‑year‑old” years. She admitted, “I guess I put all my trust in the United States legal system, and it turned out to be a major let‑down.”
Key Takeaways from the Apology
- “I am grateful that Mr Broadhwa…has finally been vindicated.”
- She pledged, “I will forever be sorry for what was done to him.”
- Sebold vows to keep confronting the roles she played in sending an innocent guy to prison.
Film Plans? A Lame Existence
While the story still rages in the public’s mind, Variety’s latest report indicates that a film adaptation of Lucky was scrubbed from the schedule after funding evaporated.
It’s a sad footnote—one that suggests conversations about justice deserve more than a neglected indie flick. Instead, let’s celebrate the hard‑earned redemption of a man who stood against a broken system, one apology and legal victory at a time.
