Death Row Exonerees Documentary Premieres at SHU Theatre

Feature documentary tells the story of death sentenced and exonerated couple who opened nonprofit centers to rehabilitate those wrongfully accused and convicted

The talents of Sacred Heart University School of Communication, Media & the Arts (SCMA) faculty, students and alumni can be seen in a new documentary about two death row exonerees and their dedication to helping people just like them.

Stolen Lives, a film set to premiere at the SHU Community Theatre in September, was developed by Bang Bang Teo productions in Ireland in partnership with SHU. It was filmed over several years by award-winning director Mark Mc Loughlin. Eric Torrens ’19, MA ’25 was cameraman for the production, Colin Moura ’25 worked as an additional cameraman, Emily Gentile ’18, MA ’20 worked on graphics and SHU Dingle adjunct professor Dara Jauch served as producer and editor of the entire production. Jauch works for Bang Bang Teo and has produced several documentaries for RTÉ Ireland, SKY TV and the BBC.

Under Mc Loughlin’s direction, the film introduces audiences to Sunny Jacobs and Peter Pringle, two death row exonerees who, despite living thousands of miles apart—Pringle in Ireland and Jacobs in Florida—found each other and married in 2011. Together they decided they wanted to help others who went through similar ordeals of being wrongly accused and convicted. They opened Sunny Centers in Florida and Ireland. The nonprofit organization provides support—a place to live, food, a chance to find a job—for exonerees after they’ve been released from prison. The rehabilitation it offers is life-changing, as the film points out.

“Helping heal the wounds of wrongful conviction” is the tagline on the center’s website. The film delves into Jacobs’ and Pringle’s pasts and then introduces other exonerees who share their stories about how the Sunny Center has helped them, and in some cases, saved them.

Filming in Florida

The experience of working on such a powerful project was nothing short of extraordinary, according to Torrens. He helped film the interviews of many of the exonerees at the Sunny Center in Tampa, FL, in 2024. He met Jacobs and saw firsthand the impact she had on a group of people.

“It really put things into perspective,” Torrens said. “It was an eye-opening and very human experience. The people who shared their story … their compassion, their forgiveness, their willingness to start again … it changes you. If you think you had a bad day, try going to prison for 30 years for a crime you didn’t commit.”

For a week, Torrens, a grad student at the time, and Moura, an undergraduate student, were immersed in the Sunny Center’s cause. Torrens brought many of the needed skills to the production but also was challenged with using new equipment on the spot. Thanks to the education he received at SHU, he was able to catch on and help the filmmakers with their needs. He was also a mentor to Moura and directed him on various tasks. “I was able to contribute in meaningful ways,” Torrens said.

It quickly became evident that the powerful documentary was not only an amazing opportunity for those getting experience in filmmaking, but it also aligned deeply with SHU’s missions and values. Torrens said SHU’s core values, “pursuit of truth and knowledge as intrinsically valuable through teaching and scholarship” and “recognition of the dignity and worth of every human being,” were felt and seen throughout the filming.

“Sending two students to Florida to help tell Sunny’s story is the University’s mission in action,” Torrens said. “This was no different than when SHU students volunteer at a local soup kitchen. We’re using our resources and giving voices to the voiceless because we believe in what they have to say.”

A year later, Torrens is excited to see the final product, as is Jim Castonguay, associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and director of the SCMA.

“It’s the University’s goal to give students experiential learning opportunities that will build their professional portfolio with real-world projects,” said Castonguay. What makes Stolen Lives extra special is that it resonates with SHU’s mission, he added. 
 
Stolen Lives will premiere at the SHU Community Theatre on Sept. 10. A panel discussion will follow the documentary. For more information, visit the SHU Community Theatre website.