This Thanksgiving marks a grim milestone for Michael Sessa: his 34th spent behind bars. Decades ago, a life sentence was imposed following a murder conviction, a case spearheaded by a prosecutor whose name would later become synonymous with controversy – Andrew Weissmann.
The early 1990s saw Weissmann, alongside others, building a reputation in Brooklyn’s federal prosecutor’s office. Reports from within the office painted a disturbing picture: a team willing to bend, and break, any rule to secure a conviction, regardless of ethical boundaries.
Weissmann’s ambition wasn’t simply to prosecute the guilty; it was to win at any cost. The cases of Michael Sessa and Victor Orena stand as chilling examples of this relentless pursuit, marred by misconduct that, according to those who investigated, is almost beyond comprehension.
The prosecution hinged on claims of a brutal internal war within the Colombo crime family. But the reality, uncovered years later, was far more sinister. A deeply corrupt FBI agent actively fueled the conflict, manipulating factions and orchestrating violence with the help of Gregory Scarpa, a confessed murderer responsible for over fifty deaths.
This agent, effectively granted a license to kill by the FBI, didn’t limit his brutality to the underworld. Innocent civilians became casualties, including a seventeen-year-old boy and a doctor. When the agent’s crimes came to light, Weissmann and his team intervened to protect Scarpa, allowing the killing to continue.
Even more disturbing, Weissmann allegedly instructed a colleague to withhold evidence of this corruption from defendants, including Michael Sessa. Scarpa became a key witness against Sessa, yet his deeply compromised status remained hidden from the court.
The legal process itself was tainted. Sessa’s chosen counsel was disqualified, and he was rushed to trial with new representation. When his lawyers requested the identity of the confidential source providing information, Weissmann refused, assuring the judge it wasn’t necessary – that source was Gregory Scarpa.
Crucially, evidence emerged suggesting the NYPD had investigated the murder Sessa was accused of, identifying a dozen suspects… none of whom were Michael Sessa. One of those suspects? Gregory Scarpa. This exculpatory evidence was deliberately concealed by the prosecution.
Further revelations exposed lies and deceit. A key witness against Sessa had a history of violent crimes, information Weissmann actively suppressed. This same witness falsely claimed to have received no financial compensation for his testimony, while, in reality, he had been paid $120,000 – a fact Weissmann knowingly allowed to go unchallenged.
The depth of the misconduct didn’t go unnoticed. A federal judge, Chief Judge Sifton, publicly criticized Weissmann’s “myopic” ethical view in a written opinion, excoriating his conduct. However, under pressure from Weissmann’s superiors, the judge was forced to remove Weissmann’s name from the final ruling.
Internal reports suggest that Weissmann and his colleagues routinely misled the court, and that judges appeared intimidated. One witness was even coached on what to say during his testimony, a blatant manipulation of the justice system.
In a desperate plea for freedom, Michael Sessa recently wrote to Alice Marie Johnson, the Pardon Czar, sharing his story and seeking her help. He expressed hope in Johnson’s understanding, having herself experienced the harsh realities of the “injustice system” and spent decades incarcerated.
Sessa, a first-time offender, surrendered himself to authorities 33 years ago. While others involved in his case have long been released, he remains imprisoned. His daughter was just five months old when he entered prison; she is now a college graduate. His wife was only 29.
He has amassed over 150 letters of support from prison staff, fellow inmates, family, and friends, a testament to the man he is. All Sessa asks for is a chance, a review of his case, and the possibility of finally reclaiming his life after a third of a century lost behind bars.
His case is so compelling that it’s now the subject of a major motion picture, “By Any Means,” starring Mark Wahlberg as Gregory Scarpa, the man whose testimony unjustly condemned him. The story serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked power and prosecutorial misconduct.
