Sonia “Sunny” Jacobs, a prominent advocate against the death penalty who spent nearly 17 years in prison for a crime she did not commit, tragically died in a house fire in Connemara, Ireland. She was in her 70s at the time of her passing, which also claimed the life of Kevin Kelly, a man in his 30s who was known to her.
Jacobs gained national attention after being wrongfully convicted for the 1976 murders of two police officers during a botched incident. The true perpetrator, Walter Rhodes, later confessed. Jacobs was ultimately released in 1992 after an appeals court overturned her conviction, allowing her to enter an Alford Plea. This unique legal agreement allowed her to plead guilty without admitting guilt, recognizing that the state could prove its case against her.
Her life story, which she detailed in her bestselling memoir “Stolen Time,” encapsulated resilience and a quest for justice. Jacobs became a vocal advocate for death penalty abolition, passionately sharing her experience to promote change and help others who faced wrongful incarceration. She and her late husband, Peter Pringle—a former death row inmate himself—established The Sunny Center, an organization dedicated to assisting those exonerated from wrongful imprisonment.
The tragic fire on Tuesday morning occurred at a cottage near Casla, with local authorities reporting that firefighters were alerted shortly after 6:00 AM. Jacobs was found unconscious in the bedroom, while Kelly was also discovered inside the cottage. Both were pronounced dead at the scene despite emergency efforts.
In remembering Jacobs, Abe Bonowitz, co-founder of Death Penalty Action, highlighted her dedication to preventing others from suffering similar injustices. He noted her unwavering spirit in advocating for those wrongfully incarcerated and her desire to support their healing processes.
Jacobs had previously described her commitment to finding peace and hope despite the hardships she faced, emphasizing the importance of love, kindness, and true self-expression.
This heartfelt legacy will resonate within the community and among those who fight against injustice. Jacobs’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of hope and the potent impact of standing up for what is right.