05/19/2026
In April 2023, I was just beginning a two-week trip in Europe when I got a call from a Michigan number in the metro Detroit area while having dinner in Budapest. I felt I should pick up, and I'm glad I did.
The caller, Stuti, told me she was a high school junior and wanted to share a story. She told me her debate class held a mock trial with roles as prosecutor, defense attorney, judge, and jury. Their case was about Nancy Seaman.
Stuti acted as Nancy’s defense attorney and used information from my website to build her case. She convinced the jury that Nancy was not guilty of premeditated murder, and that she was a battered woman defending her life, which was different from the original verdict. Stuti won her case! She was excited to share her success after all her hard work, and I was just as happy she reached out to tell me.
Stuti is now in college, and we talked again about a week ago. I let her know that Governor Whitmer’s office had reviewed the commutation application I submitted in 2024, which led to an interview for Nancy in March and a public hearing coming up. Stuti said she would like to speak on Nancy's behalf at the hearing since she knows the case well.
“Absolutely!”
I encouraged her to consider a career as a lawyer, noting how well she handled a tough case in high school. She asked if she could read the application, and with Nancy’s permission, I emailed it to her.
She texted me today and gave me permission to share her message:
“I just read through it. It is extremely well written and very thorough. I feel even more motivated to help advocate for those who have been wrongfully convicted because it’s so important to our justice system and society that we advocate for unfair trials. Thank you so much for sharing this with me. I can’t wait for the public hearing soon; it will be exciting to see things turn around. I was extremely eager to call you that day because, to me personally, your work is extremely valuable and important, not just to win a high school case, but for everyone to know.”
Thank you, Stuti. I believe you have a bright future ahead of you!
(Note: A juror from the 2004 trial has since reversed his position. In 2020, he signed an affidavit stating he would not have agreed to the charges or life sentence. He explained that he had not seen the same evidence at trial as he has now, including a professional domestic violence report and a video of Judge Jack McDonald. He will testify on Nancy's behalf at the upcoming hearing.) See less
