#FreeAbdus Case Review
Dear #FreeAbdus Supporters,
What really happened on that fateful night in Waterbury—the night two families’ lives were changed forever?
News reports provide some basic information, and several even describe the initial altercation accurately. Yet the overall narrative has continued to portray Isma’il Abdus-Sabur in an unfavorable light while leaving out critical context.
Context matters. It does not excuse or minimize the tragic loss of life. It does, however, help us understand how complicated and tangled this case truly is—and why Isma’il should never have been the person forced to pay for what happened.
Questions remain about the attempted home invasion, the eyewitness identification, the absence of physical evidence connecting Isma’il to the crime, and credible evidence pointing to an alternative perpetrator. These issues cannot be reduced to a headline.
Let’s review the timeline and examine what actually happened. Articles, case details, court decisions, and legal briefs are included below so you can read the information for yourself.
After reviewing the materials, please leave a comment on this petition update or post online explaining why you stand with #FreeAbdus and support #ChallengeWrongffulConvictions. Your voice helps challenge harmful narratives, bring attention to the evidence, and remind the public that justice requires truth—not technicalities.
Thank you for your unwavering support. Please continue to sign, share, speak up, and encourage others to examine the case:
On January 17, 2014 a confrontation at a Waterbury apartment complex ends in a fatal shooting.
Jan 19,2014: by Jamie Ratliff and Jennifer Pineiro. The altercation
His attorney communicated with law enforcement while arranging a voluntary surrender.
Jan 21, 2014: Falsely described as nyc man. He lived and worked in Waterbury since 2003
The attorney who represented Isma'il during the surrender process left the case for personal reasons before trial.
New trial counsel inherited the case. The defense strategy was not collaborative.
February 10, 2017: He was sentenced to 45 years in prison.
Attorney Jodi Zils Gagné represented Isma'il on direct appeal. During the direct appeal, appellate counsel also changed.
Successor counsel inherited briefing that had already been prepared by prior counsel.
According to the record, successor counsel advised the court that they could not adequately argue an appeal they had not written and requested permission to submit new briefing and reargue the issues.
That request was denied.
February 11, 2019: The Connecticut Appellate Court heard oral argument.
June 18, 2019: The Appellate Court affirmed the conviction.
August 29, 2023
The habeas court found trial counsel constitutionally deficient on a significant issue and granted relief on the ineffective assistance claim, while denying the actual innocence claim under Connecticut's "newly discovered evidence" standard.
CT Supreme Court 1st Term Case Advisory:
Jose Lopez v. Commissioner of Correction, from the Tolland Judicial District, Thursday, Sept. 10, at 10 a.m., case detail and briefs.
Ismail Abdus-Sabur v. Commissioner of Correction, from the Tolland Judicial District, Friday, Sept. 18, at 11 a.m., case detail and briefs.
This fight is not only about Isma’il. It is about every innocent person who remains incarcerated because their case does not involve DNA or evidence that meets the narrow definition of “newly discovered.” It is about what happens when the State challenges findings of ineffective assistance of counsel instead of acknowledging, “You did not receive a fair opportunity to defend yourself.”
Connecticut abolished the death penalty in April 2012, yet we continue fighting death by incarceration instead of death by lethal injection. It is still death. It is still years of life taken away, children growing up without their parents, and families being torn apart while waiting for the system to correct itself.
Sister Elaine, LMSW, FPA-P
CoFounder, King Bishop’s Entertainment LLC | Refined SOULtions
"Using storytelling, music, and community advocacy to heal and empower"
OFFICE: 413.628.1981 | FAX: 347.274.2820 https://kingbishopsentertainment.com |
YouTube: #FreeAbdus
FB: Ismail Abdus
IG: Free_Abdus
TikTok: Free.Abdus
X:FreeAbdus