July 31, 2025 – Springfield, MA – Following the release of Edward Wright, who was previously convicted in the 1984 murder of Penny Anderson, Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni stated the following:

“The murder of Penny Anderson was a violent and cowardly act that devastated both her family and the community. A Hampden County jury convicted the defendant after a trial, and that conviction had been upheld five times over the course of nearly four decades through multiple levels of judicial review, including by the Supreme Judicial Court.

“We disagree with the decision to allow the motion for new trial, which was the defendant’s sixth bite at the apple. But, it is important to note, the very judge who allowed the motion stated in his decision that ‘“the incriminating evidence against the defendant was quite strong”’, and ‘“despite the considerable incriminating evidence against the defendant, the court finds…[he] has met his relatively low burden…which might have affected the outcome of the trial.”’

“My office has begun the legal process of evaluating our next steps. This office remains committed to seeking justice for all involved.”