In 1991, Isaac Wright Jr. was wrongfully convicted of being a drug kingpin in New Jersey. In fact, he was the first person to ever be convicted as a drug kingpin under the new “drug kingpin” law at the time.
Wright allegedly led a band of drug dealers who packaged up cocaine and shipped it to New Brunswick where it was then sent out for distribution throughout Middlesex and Somerset counties.1
Wright was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years, plus a number of other charges that added another ten years to his sentence.2
Wright said that he had never dealt drugs but had several friends who did, adding that he “was a victim of circumstance.” He also said that the new ”drug kingpin” law was sentencing low-level drug dealers to exorbitant prison sentences. He represented himself during his trial, stating he was the person most familiar with the facts of the case.
Nevertheless, he was found guilty of running a cocaine network in Middlesex and Somerset Countie which netted up to $30,000 a day.
While behind bars, Wright educated himself on the law and became a prison paralegal; he assisted numerous inmates with their appeals; he was credited with lowering the sentenced and overturning convictions of at least twenty inmates.3
During his own appeal process, Wright served as his own lawyer. While conducting a cross-examination, Wright was able to extract a confession of police misconduct from veteran police detective, James Dugan, who confessed to a wide and systematic misconduct and cover-up. Dugan also confessed that he had searched Wright’s apartment before obtaining court approval.
A Superior Court Judge ruled that former Somerset County Prosecutor Nicholas Bissell had made secret plea deals with witnesses and had illegally seized cocaine which he then used to convict. In 1995, federal prosecutors indicted Bissell and his wife. The Supreme Court also found out that Superior Court Judge Michael Imbriani had improperly instructed jurors.
As a result, the case against Wright crumbled and he was subsequently released from prison after his friends posted $250,000 bail.4 State Superior Court Judge Leonard Arnold ordered a new trial but then in 1998, The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office announced that they would not resume their criminal case against him.
Following his incarceration, Wright obtained an undergraduate degree, graduated from St. Thomas University School of Law and passed the New Jersey Bar. However, it took the New Jersey Bar nine years to admit Wright while they investigated his “character.”
“I went to law school for one reason and one reason only… To slay giants for a price. And if the giant is big enough and the cause is important enough, I’ll do it for free, especially when it involves helping those who cannot help themselves,” he said.5
With his new status as a lawyer, Wright went after the men involved in the misconduct and cover-up. Dugan pleaded guilty to official misconduct and evaded prison time. Imbriani was removed from the bench and found guilty of embezzling from his real estate partners. Bissell fled to Laughlin, Nevada, just before he was scheduled to begin his prison term and committed suicide in a hotel room.
Footnotes:
- The Central New Jersey Home News, 1 November, 1996 – “Landmark Drug Conviction Overturned”
- The Times, 21 March, 1997 – “Revisions to Drug Kingpin Law Held at Attorney General’s Request”
- https://face2faceafrica.com/article/how-this-wrongfully-jailed-black-man-reversed-his-conviction-and-became-a-lawyer
- The
Philadelphia Inquirer, 19 December, 1996 – “Jailed Man Freed Amid Probe of Prosecution” - https://courtroom5.com/when-a-dragon-needs-slaying-call-isaac-wright-jr/
Comments:
Good man Isaac. What an amazing story. An inspiration. Fuck those cops and prosecutors.
Fuck you!! They robbed him of many years of his life. When someone calls 911 they do so with the assumption that the “cops” will uphold the law siding with the OATH they took. So again I say FUCK YOU!!
Exactly….
This is the Him that went through the Hell.. Isaac Wright Jr that exposed the System.
F**k you!! Even after you call 911, they be slow as f**k. And we have that right! We all pay taxes! It’s so many people that goes to jail for a crime they didn’t commit. If it was you or your family, you wouldn’t be saying that.
I’m in TEXAS and you break into my house I’ll call the cops to pick up your body only reason I file a police report is because the insurance requires it I catch you I don’t want to shoot you but don’t come
to my house uninvited
What in the world does your comment have to do with the story!? Who here is talking about breaking into a house? And why are you commenting anonymous?
I am glad that he stood up for himself. It’s one thing that he broke the law to provide for his family but it goes in depth when the people of the law breaks the laws. I’m glad that he got justice for himself & helped other people as well. That goes to show that some people that get these positions in high places think they can’t be touched & can do whatever they want to to people. Mr. Wright proved you wrong. I never heard of this until the series came out . I love it & great job… Read more »
Isaac Wright Jr. NEVER BROKE THE LAW! He was a well off business man, with his own music label and his wife was in the group “THE COVER GIRLS”. They owned a mansion and many cars in New Jersey. Being from the “hood” of course he is going to know criminals. That doesn’t make him one of them.
From a cop Bro. Wright i salute you from behind enemy lines!
Yes exactly! Congratulations to Mr Wright and by the way I love the show “For Life”
Dianne… girlllll… he never did any of what he was accused of and therefore did not break the law… so I’m a little confused on what you’re implying by your statement. And If you are basing what you’re saying off of the television series, please know it is based on a true story but not 100% fact and his exact life story. So again he never “broke the law to provide for his family”…
Diane, are you dumb? He never committed any of those crimes he was convicted for…. That’s why he went so hard against the prosecution and police department. Apparently they are the criminals weren’t upholding the law. Therefore they were exposed for such conduct.
I’m white and I won’t call 911 in an emergency because I can’t be sure which cop I’m gonna get. I can’t even fathom how a black person would even consider doing it.so I think your a little off base there kyle. I’ll be the first to say that there is nothing better than a good cop who is on the job for the right reasons. Unfortunately they not as prevelant as I would like them to be.. and nobody is even talking about the latest drug problem that affects all of society and that is POLICE OFFICERS USING STEROIDS…LEGALLY.
I just want to say Fuck you Kyle! That’s all.
Na, Fuxk you KYLE and the punk police .
Not everyone calls the punk ass cops!
BITCH 😉
he said fuck THOSE cops n prosecutor’s… reading isn’t your strong suit.
Kyle stfu
That includes you! So, if someone framed you, and sent you to jail unjustly, are you going to sit down and take it? Your statement is not only ignorant, but it makes no sense. So, that leads one to ask what your real problem is?
He probably related to the person who did the wrong doings
Fuck you Kyle!
Oh STFU Kyle and use your sociological imagination,
you bigot.
stfu
Obvious Troll. After 2016 we should be better @ ignoring posts like this.
Fuck off Kyle. When mother fuckers get fucked in the ass as they should, you mad. Spending life in prison for something you didn’t do is not fun bitch. Shut the fuck up asshole!
Fuck you, it’s people like you, who make it easy for cops to do wrong, go play in traffic!!!!
Yeah it’s all good when their doing there fucking job “ protecting and serving” but the ones who abuse those powers fuck them!!!
Fuck you. I’m assuming the issue is because the wrongfully convicted was black..you don’t give a fuck. Did you say fuck you when the Somalian cop killed the white woman that ran up to his car. She called the cops yet her family had him convicted. I guess we should say FUCK THEM,
One thing I’ve learned is whites don’t give a fuck about us whether wrong right. They quick to side with a cop until the victim is white. Hopefully one day you can do time asan innocent person
Oh fuck off he said fuck ‘those cops and prosecutors’ he wasn’t going after all cops and you know what 99% of cops are pricks anyway I cant count how many times I’ve called them where I’m from and nothing was done by either the cops or the prosecution service.
fuck you.You punk ass fag.Fuck you and the pigs you hang with nj cocksucker
Its people like u that make people question humanity🖕🏻🖕🏾
You never gave up the fight! You know how many Black men have been railroad by the syste. They wanted to shut you down but you was to smart. A lot of these young men diying in prison and dont have the fight or the team to help them fight from the outside. I’m asking you to put together a STRONG! Isaac Wright Jr Civil Team together. in behalf that the ones you get free they owe you leg work to help others to get Free! Slogan I always Say Change Your Thinking Change Your Life!!
Good thing they didn’t say fuck all cops. They said fuck THOSE cops. And they right about it.
Fuck you Kyle he was fucked out of many years. There are so many district attorneys fucking innocent people over hear say. Just bc one witness that don’t know shit comes forth with a bullshit story
Fuck you kyle
Kyle, I would never call the police or dial 911. As a rule police come after an event, you are robbed, beat down or worse and until then you are on your own. your best bet is to call the coroner and let him EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED. No victims live here
Your fragile ego and racism is showing
Shut up bootlicker
The legal system is not just corrupt in large states but perhaps even more corrupt and vindictive in small towns like Lexington, VA, a town in which my sister was placed under Guardian-Conservatorship by a distant relative of her husband’s. She had no signs of Dementia which was attested to by her physician.
That’s just wrong on so many levels God be with your sister and you
Loving the new show that’s based off this story
Such irony throughout this story. I’m curious to find out whether or not Mr. Wright has copyrighted a book regarding all of this. It certainly would be an interesting read. Congratulations Mr. Isaac Wright Jr.for proving that it can be done.
For Life on ABC is the show based on his life.
Thanks, we’re aware.
I would definitely love to read an autobiography if he would write one.
Congrats Mr. Wright, thank you for pushing through and shining the light on corruptions of this world. That’s a start and it still continues sadly. We need more people like you.
THANKING GOD FOR YOUR PERSEVERANCE!!!!FOR VENGEANCE IS THE LORD!!!!!
I was caught up in the system 30 years ago and still paying for it. Its hard to find a job that will pay you good money. I have convictions on my record that were fabricated and I can’t even get it off my record.
Plus I have a cousin who was charged with a crime that he didn’t commit, because he would not rat out who actually did it.
I also have a criminal record for a crime I didn’t commit because I wouldn’t snitch on the person who actually did it.but then the so-called friend that I kept my mouth shut for turned around and tried to sue me.
I am not saying anything against you, but I am curious what the whole thing with snitching is. If someone else is in the wrong and they are looking at you for the crime and you do not say anything. I am sorry but MY life is more important to me than to go to jail for someone else while they get to be free on the outside. Where is the logic in that. I do hope it worked out for you though Galen
Diego. You said ‘Your Life’ is more important than… EXACTLY…in some situations. You rat, and you are not incarcerated, but life as you know it is over. So honestly for some, being locked up is, in fact, saving and valuing your own life over others’ and I’m sorry, you just can’t understand until you’ve been there.
WOW…Galen…that is NUTS! People never cease to amaze me! I’m so sorry to hear this!! God bless you.
What ever happened?
I feel for you and have a similar history. Can’t get a decent job for shit.
Attorney Issac Wright i wished you were around when my son Charles when he he was found not guilty for 3 Charges and was found not guilty and then Judge Suarez told the jury to go back and find him guilty of unlawful restraint and him and judge Alexander sentenced him to 10 years.
Oh shush 🤫. Charles needs some time alone to reflect on his actions
If anyone knows how to get in touch with Mr. wright please let me know. My daughter got 20 to 40 years for something she didn’t do by crooked DA and judge who were all white and was told by the judge if she didn’t take the deal he would give her life. He refused to see evidence from the person who committed the crime. In there she got bit by a brown recluse spider. Broke her finger and had to be operated on and now the screw and rod is floating in her finger. She been stabbed and beaten… Read more »
Try to tag or DM Kim Kardashian or even Wright through social media!
Rosemarie Marrone he has an Instagram page. Try sending him a private message.
Lol. Here we go with the drama queen….. Should I pull out the violins as well. We all know of you cant do the time don’t do the crime and choose your friends wisely. In this case your daughter is a bozo who hangs out with bozos like her. While she was out being bozo she got caught. Trust me the streets are better with her in a cage and not out here acting like a bozo 🤡
stfu tiff and go take some more IOU’s on your corner. Make sure you give them a heads up that youre crawling with std’s so they can make an informed choice to decline
Welcome home MR..WRIGHT
My brother was charged 85 years almost 15 years ago, but I believed he have gotten too many years. Just say it a life time. A lawyer said, looking at his case in passed he saw 14 mistakes. He represented himself at that time which he shouldn’t have, but he try. But he needs a Appeal. I applauded Mr Wright for standing up for his rights!! If anyone could help him fight his case and look it over he can use all the help he can.
We need him for our attorney here they railroaded my son to by withholding evidence in his case then the attorney told him plea guilty for something never happened but he was17 we ain’t no what to do but I know I didn’t want my baby to do 10 to life
Great show dirty prosecutors and dirty cops need to go to prison
I got charged for growing a controlled substance and growing with intent to sell which was reduced with a plea deal to growing a controlled substance. It cost me $60 thousand for a lawyer and $40 thousand for repairs to my house. I got 2 years probation and a criminal record. Good thing i have money and am white. Anyways I was 150 miles away getting a total knee replacement and recovery for 4 months while someone else turned my basement into a gro-op
That was a great story and I hope that with those that see or read the story that it encourages them to learn their rights and to stand for something and not fall for anything
Itz gr8 that he has broken the mold ova there in those two counties I’m familiar with the judge & prosecutor VERY COCKY & ABUSIVE WITH THE POWER THAT THEY POSSESSED!!
Gr8 that these devils that were in power got JUSTICE IN EVERY FACET!!!!
Y’all do know Mr. Wright is an Executive Producer for the show? Just chill and make sure to always do your part.. For those who have been victimized by the CJ system, it will be difficult to find great jobs, but you can do it! Peace, Love, and Blessings!
Freedom fighter! AFENI SHAKUR WOULD BE PROUD, AS WELL OF MYSELF. MY POOR BLACK POLIO SURVIVING MOTHER AND HER YOUNG JEWISH LAWYER TOOK ON THE US SUPREME COURT AND WON. ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN ACROSS AMERICA RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FROM THEIR FATHERS. MARRIED MEN OR NOT. 1968-1972
I’m that child. Also a freedom fighter
Kyle you Bitch!! Fuck you!! Fuck the POPO.
Muthafuckers been killing and framing us for a long time.
Salute those who are honest policemen… buh, fuck those who are corrupt and killers.
The new show about Issac Wright Jr do slap though
Kyle you smell like ass
Congrats to, Isaac Wright Jr., for having the courage, and strength, to fight against such an injustice. But, I would like to say to those that have been, or are in a similar situation, and find themselves at a low in their lives, “Do not ever give up!” In, 1993, I was arrested, convicted, and sentenced, to ten years for a crime that I did not commit. I did not serve the entire ten years in prison, but after my release in 1997, I was back and forth, in and out of prison for numerous parole violations, because I just… Read more »
I watch the show every new episode. Unbelievable what happened to Mr. Wright, but good on him for going about the situation in the ways that he did.
I cannot take lunch system is. My heart is so true with you over these years I watch the show. Every day I think about who this person was and truly want so much to meet you.Your case in this show is so intriguing to me. I truly would love to meet you and talk to you. My name is lori white and Hope one day we can talk
Congratulations to Issac Wright Jr god blessed you & you did so much good for the people you got out & idk y people are arguing but congrats god bless you.
How can I get in contact with Mr. Wright concerning a case of my son who live in New Jersey. He have been in prison since he was 22 years old he’s now in Rahway Prison in Trenton NJ . I live in N. Ft Myers Fla, I can be reach through my email.
Thank you.
thanks
After reading Mr. Wright’s plight, I made an inquiry tithe innocence project where I live to volunteer my services as a Retired Legal Assistant.
This man is an awesome person! I love his determination and drive! Dream free, hustle sold separately! What an inspirational story! May God continue to bless you Mr. Isaac Wright Jr!!
The whole more of the story is to open our eyes to corruption and wrongful imprisonments, Mr. wright’s story should be viewed as a building block to help people and not a bunch of dumb asses saying F U to each other.
WAKE UP WORLD, this is why we are becoming a weak society!
Mr. Wright, I’m so glad that you didn’t stop fighting for your freedom. The law is supposed to be written to protect the innocent and some people take full advantage of the power given to them by our votes. I’m so proud of how you handled yourself and let me just say that I wanted to jump in the tv screen and beat that DA to a pulp. So thanks again for fighting for justice I have 3 sons and I would never give up on their freedom. Thanks and Praise God for who you’ve become.
This mans story is soooo powerful! Not only because he was innocent, but because he overcame the odds. When a person is sentenced to life in prison for something they didn’t do, it brings down that persons entire life. This man’s story is sooooo relatable to SO many men and women serving time in prison! These DA and judges are corrupt! These police departments are not being truthful!!! He stood up and made a difference! This is why I decided to go to law school
If u r unloading teens at the movies. Two cops were at the window telling me I’m under arrest for parking in a firelane. Cars running, foot on the brake, lights on and music playing, is not parked. IS IT…
Yes. It was. Dumb ass heffa.
I got some dragons u need to slay. For a price and a Hugh one at that. Denial of counsel in open court. Knowing its a fundamental right to counsel in a criminal charge.plus she refused my official documentation from DMV and my insurance company proving i was current in both.so without a word to the all wht jury abt my innocense I’m found guilty of DUR.. I filed a post conviction relief petition based on both crimes she committed against me as a Pro Se plaintiff. Only urs went thru, mine trashed. Dismissed. How can a denial of counsel… Read more »
I was stopped 28 times in a six yr period of time. That’s racial profiling. On the 28th, I’m unloading teens at the movies, car running, lights on, foot on the brake and music playing. Is that parked ? Two cops approach me, order me out, that i’m under arrest for parking in a firelane. My paid for car was towed, I’m denied a bond. The false arrest is proven by the jail itself when one false charge was replaced by yet another false charge. Failure to appear. Kidnapped for 17 days. Get out but can’t afford my car so… Read more »
You all live a strange country. Bet you are glad you voted Trump out maybe that will be the start of improving things
He’s not out yet
Just watching the series now, very fascinating.
What an inspiration-I can’t even imagine what he went through physically & spiritually- the Lord gave him such Will within his soul, mind & heart. Like Joseph in the Bible, being imprisoned with false accusations …Again what an Inspiration 💕🌺✝️ God Him & his family 🌸🌸🌸
One word to describe this man; insprational.