Amblin Partners is developing a feature film based on the life of Sonia ‘Sunny’ Jacobs and going by the working title “Stolen Time”.
Jacobs and her husband were convicted and sentenced to life in prison in 1976 for the fatal shooting of two law enforcement officers based on false testimony from the actual killer.
In 1981, the court commuted Jacobs’ sentence after the chief witness admitted to the murders. Her husband remained on death row until his botched execution by electrocution in May 1990.
The couple maintained their relationship until his death. In 1992, her case was reversed on appeal and she was released on time served after taking an Alford plea for second-degree murder in which she did not admit guilt.
She has since gone on to found The Sunny Center, a sanctuary, providing exonerees with support and assisting them with overcoming the trauma, isolation and disconnection resulting from wrongful incarceration.
Juliet Blake will produce while social justice activist Micki Dickoff and “Wrongful Conviction” podcast host Jason Flom executive produce. Amblin is currently meeting with writers to adapt the story.
Source: THR
