A Morgan Lewis team led by partner Andrew Gallo helped secure the release of pro bono client Walter Ogrod, a wrongfully convicted death-row prisoner who had been in jail for more than 28 years. Mr. Ogrod, who was arrested for the 1988 killing of a 4-year-old in Philadelphia, made a false confession after being without sleep for more than 36 hours. After taking on the case in 2005, the Morgan Lewis team spent countless hours investigating the facts, interviewing witnesses, securing affidavits, and fighting for access to evidence.
In 2019, the firm argued for a new trial in a motion joined by the Conviction Integrity Unit of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. On June 5, 2020, the court granted the motion and further granted a motion to reduce the charges against Mr. Ogrod so that he could be released on bail. The charges against him were dropped three days later. “This was hanging out there,” Andrew told the Associated Press. “He’s very ecstatic to have this resolved.”
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