Michael was one of the Cardiff Newsagent Three who was wrongly convicted of the murder and robbery of Phillip Saunders in 1987. After serving 11 years and 43 days of a Life Sentence his case was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission in 1998. The conviction was quashed on the 17th of December 1999 after new evidence was presented to the Court.
About Michael – Finding Inspiration in Every Turn.
Michael A O’Brien was born in Cardiff and raised in the community of Ely the second largest council estate in Europe.
In 1987 Michael A O’Brien was dubbed “The Cardiff Newsagent Three” after he and his 2 co-accused was sentenced to life for the murder of Cardiff newsagent Phillip Saunders, Michael taught himself law to secure his release and his conviction was quashed at the court of appeal in 1999.
During his time in prison, he changed the Law 7 times and successfully took not one but two home secretaries to court, “Access to Journalists” is one of his biggest successes
After his release Michael told of his time in prison in his autobiography “The Death of Justice” published by Y Lolfa in 2008.
Prisons Exposed Michael’s second book tells the truth about what happens in prisons, both from a prisoner’s side and the prison officer. It also shows the reader how and why the system needs to be changed.
In 2012 Michael’s son Dylan lost his battle to an unknown genetic condition, which prompted Michael to write a book about his son called Dylan’s Story a Fathers Journey
In 2013 Prison’s Exposed was awarded the people’s choice Annual Book Awards Printed Book Award voted by the public formally the Amazon Click Awards.
In January 2014 the Death of Justice was awarded book of the month and has won the book of the year in December 2014
Michael has written a number of other books from 2018 to 2021. Including Overcoming injustice and Loss, The Dossier Miscarriages of Justice 1982-2016, Killing Justice in the Lone Star State and is busy writing more.
Michael has overcome many traumatic events including the loss of two of his children and has used his experiences to help others with a positive mental attitude.
Michael has spoken at many events including the House of Commons.