Edward Martell is no stranger to a rough life.
Born to a single mother living in low-income housing and surviving on government assistance, at an early age Martell was exposed to the temptations of the streets.
At 13, Martell was convicted of his first juvenile felony.
Another felony soon followed two years later. Shortly after these two incidents, Martell dropped out of school and left home – his life now completely revolved around drugs and drug trafficking.
“I’ve been in front of so many judges, at least 20,” he recalled.
“I knew I was on my way to prison. I guess all I needed was some love.”
At 27, Martell was charged with manufacturing and selling narcotics and was facing up to 20 years in prison.
But that’s when something changed his life.
Martell had been assigned to Wayne County Circuit judge Bruce Morrow’s courtroom and was expecting to receive a harsh penalty for his crimes.
But Morrow had something better up his sleeve.
Morrow sentenced Martell to three years of probation.
The judge also offered words of encouragement that changed the course of Martell’s life.
“I will never forget what he told me,” Martell recalled.
“He said, ‘Mr. Martell, you don’t have to be out here selling drugs. You have greatness within you.”
“I challenge you to be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.”
Since that day, Morrow has remained by Martell’s side.
“I told Ed, my door is always open for you, here’s my number, I want to know what you’re doing. I want you to keep me in your life,” Morrow told CNN.
And Martell took his offer seriously.
The young man would spend days sitting in Morrow’s courtroom listening to him preside over this docket of cases. Afterward, the two would have lunch together and learn more about each other.
But Martell never forgot Morrow’s challenge.
He started working on his new life by enrolling at a community college.
From there, he got a full scholarship to the University of Detroit Mercy, where he graduated top of his class and then enrolled in law school.
But he had a few challenges along the way.
Although Martell was excelling academically, he was worried he wouldn’t be able to become a lawyer due to his criminal record. Generally, lawyers are required to pass a “character and fitness” application to prove they are morally fit to practice law.
Although a criminal record isn’t an immediate disqualifier, Martell was aware that his, in particular, was quite lengthy and included numerous drug trafficking and drug abuse charges.
“I was chasing a dream with no guarantees,” he said.
With the help of a slew of character witnesses, including Morrow, and a 1,200-word application explaining the circumstances of his past and previous charges, Martell eventually received a favorable result.
Recalling the moment, he told CNN:
“I just cried like a baby.”
Sixteen years after Morrow took a chance on Martell, Martell is now being sworn in as a lawyer in that very same courtroom.
And who better to do the honor than Morrow himself?
During the event, Morrow couldn’t contain his pride.
“I see him as my son,” he told CNN. “It was like walking your daughter down the aisle.
“It was one of the moments where I just felt so happy. My joy was for him.”
After having worked at the Perkins Law group as a criminal law clerk for three years, Martell is now joining the team as its newest criminal defense lawyer – and he credits it all to Judge Bruce Morrow.
Watch the emotional moment Morrow swears in Martell in the video below!
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