Saturday 31 August 2013

Nancy Day via Change.org: "I Regret Our Verdict."


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By Jueseppi B.
Tyra Patterson was 15 years old when she was handed a life sentence for robbery and murder. I know this because I was on the jury that convicted her. But I just found out about evidence that wasn’t presented at the trial -- and I believe it proves that Tyra is innocent.
I recently heard a recording of the 911 call that was placed the night of the crime and was shocked to discover that it was Tyra who called to help the victim.

Thursday 22 August 2013

The Guilty Innocent





The Guilty Innocent is in Print at:
https://www.createspace.com/3917769
Get the eBook at: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/249542
or Amazon.com 

Torey Adamcik has never been in any kind of trouble
when he was arrested September 27, 2006 and
charged with first degree murder and conspiracy to
commit first degree murder along with another 16 year
old boy, Brian Lee Draper (Unbenounced to Torey,
Brian had a Long history of violence). Torey went
to trial on May 31, 2007 and was found guilty June 8,
2007 on both counts. Brian's was also found guilty on
both charges, on April 17, 2007. Both teens were
sentenced together August 21, 2007.
Torey has always denied that he had anything to
do with hurting Cassie and was unaware of Brian's
intentions. Torey was play acting on the video tape,
saying things that he knew Brian wanted to hear.
The 30 minuet tape was made in the two days before
Brian killed Torey's freind, Cassie. Torey was never
part of any conversation about hurting anyone, except
on this tape Brian made. Torey said he does not even
remember what all was said on it, he was just talking
and going along with Brian. Torey said that he was
tricked. Brian told Torey, lets take out the humorous
parts and leave only the dark stuff, then he told Torey
prior to restarting the videotape to "say scary stuff". Brian
tricked Torey, that is it, nothing more. Torey is innocent.
There is no physical evidence linking Torey to
the crime. Torey deserved a fair and unbiased trial,
and as we feared a life sentence was handed down on
August 21st by this judge. Torey didn't harm Cassie in
any way, he did not know Brian was capable of such
violence and rage, and he does not deserve to be in
prison let alone life without parole. He's already
spent over 2 years locked up in isolation in adult only
jails (he's allowed out of his cell for only 1-2 hrs
per day). This is cruel treatment of a 16 year old boy
who is innocent of the charges against him.


http://www.kpvi.com/Global/category.asp?C=97828&nav=menu546_2_5
Jury members admitted to seeing this key
evidence before Torey's trial. Torey was convicted
before he ever reached the courtroom. This videotape
is on the local news station website at:
http://www.myspace.com/wrongfulconviction
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=1080035825&ref=profile
http://triedasadults.org/

Wednesday 21 August 2013

Letters To Jerry: Last Campaign For Sara J. Kruzan's Freedom




FreedomFighters: This is it! The last campaign ever, one last push for the release of Sara J. Kruzan. 

Details: Please email the Governor Of California. The only rule is to be polite; you are a represenative of SJK. After your email, feel free to make phone calls, send postcards, handwritten letters, etc . . .

Directions:
  1. Click on this link to email Gov. Jerry Brown: http://govnews.ca.gov/gov39mail/mail.php
  2. Check the, "Have a comment" box for purpose of communication
  3. Choose the Subject: Parole - Governor’s Review
  4. Check the box at bottom of page, if you would like a reply. Of course you do! (share your replies)
  5. Check the "PRO" box...meaning you SUPPORT Sara. 
Please feel free to copy and paste the letter below. You can use it verbatim or as a template.


In Unity,
~ Forces For Sara 
P.S. Are you ready? Let's do this - one last time. 

_______________________________________________________________________

Governor Jerry Brown
c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445-2841
Fax: (916) 558-3160


To:  Office of Governor Edmund "Jerry" Brown Jr.

RE: Sara Jessimy Kruzan
CDC# W-59700
Grant Parole & Immediate Release

On June 12, 2013 the California Parole Board found Sara Jessimy Kruzan suitable for release. As a victim of human trafficking who has served her sentence of 19-years, Sara deserves to be freed right away. We, the people, ask you Governor Brown to approve the parole that was granted to Sara Kruzan.

Here is Sara in her own words: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR7mno6p9iQ

Sara Kruzan’s release from Central California Women’s Facility will be California’s gain. Sara has already helped thousands around the world.

I, [ insert your name here ], the below signed support Kruzan's transition to life as a free woman and request your signature to speed this process. Thank you in advance.

Respectfully,
[ insert your name here ]
Title, Organization, Affilations

[your contact information here]


Sara Kruzan’s campaign for freedom is supported by:

I am SJK (Sponsor)
Human Rights Watch
Dr. Phil
Jada Pinkett-Smith, Don’t Sell Bodies
Mira Sorvino
Demi Moore
Senator Leland Yee
Over 27,000 people on Change.org
And countless other organizations & individuals around the world

https://www.facebook.com/notes/sara-kruzan-join-forces-for-her-freedom/letters-to-jerry-last-campaign-for-sara-j-kruzans-freedom/532585266791007

Monday 12 August 2013

DAVONTAE SANFORD’S FAMILY HOPEFUL AFTER APPEALS COURT HEARING -




Sanford was charged at 14 with four murders a hit man later confessed to

Appeals Judge Sawyer: “There is a chance that we have an innocent man in jail right now.”

By Diane Bukowski
- See more at: http://voiceofdetroit.net/2013/08/10/davontae-sanfords-family-hopeful-after-appeals-court-hearing/#sthash.6a8lHo5K.dpuf
Sanford was charged at 14 with four murders a hit man later confessed to 
Appeals Judge Sawyer: “There is a chance that we have an innocent man in jail right now.”
By Diane Bukowski
- See more at: http://voiceofdetroit.net/2013/08/10/davontae-sanfords-family-hopeful-after-appeals-court-hearing/#sthash.NNiEMM4f.dpuf

Related Stories
http://voiceofdetroit.net/2012/10/11/detroit-police-sex-scandals-who-is-monitoring-police-brutality-2/
http://voiceofdetroit.net/2012/04/28/free-davontae-and-charles-justice-for-aiyana-and-trayvon/
http://voiceofdetroit.net/2012/04/24/stop-the-war-on-our-youth-davontae-aiyana-and-dad-trayvon-kenny-snodgrass-production/
http://voiceofdetroit.net/2012/04/24/sanfordjones-rally-receives-broad-coverage-hit-man-signs-affidavit-to-free-davontae/
http://voiceofdetroit.net/2012/03/25/davontae-innocent-being-tortured-in-prison-judge-refuses-to-allow-real-killers-confession/
http://voiceofdetroit.net/2012/02/07/ap-newsbreak-detroit-hit-man-says-davontae-sanford-is-innocent-will-testify/
http://voiceofdetroit.net/2011/08/02/witness-detroit-hit-man-vincent-smothers-said-convicted-teen-davontae-sanford-had-no-role-in-slayings/
http://voiceofdetroit.net/2011/07/19/davontae-sanford%E2%80%99s-innocence-v-detroit-police-and-prosecutors%E2%80%99-reputations/
http://voiceofdetroit.net/2011/01/15/free-davontae-sanford/

Saturday 10 August 2013

Friday 9 August 2013

"The 16 Year Old Killer" Cyntoia's Story (full documentary)


In 2004, Cyntoia Brown was arrested for the murder of a 43-year-old man. Cyntoia was a prostitute and he was her client.

Film-maker Daniel Birman was granted unique access to Cyntoia from the week of her arrest, throughout her trial and over a period of six years. His documentary explores the tragic events in her life that led up to the murder, and Cyntoia's biological mother meets he daughter for the first time since giving her up for adoption 14 years earlier.

The film explores the history of abuse, violence, drugs and prostitution back through three generations. As Cyntoia faces a lifetime in prison, the programme asks difficult questions about her treatment by the American justice system.

You can write Cyntoia Brown at
#410593
3881 Stewart's Lane
Nashville, TN 37218

http://cyntoiabrown-irishgreeneyes.bl...

http://www.facebook.com/groups/192470...

https://twitter.com/CyntoiaBrown

Presenting Oral Argument in Davontae's Appeal


August 6, 2013, Oral Arguments were given in Davontae’s appeal.

Kim McGinnis
Kim McGinnis
Attorney Kim McGinnis, who used to work for the Michigan State Appellate Defenders Office (SADO), has since moved out of state, but continues to represent Davontae in his and his family’s struggle to gain his freedom. There were many supporters and family present. Dave Leval of Detroit TV-20, but no cameras, and some reporters from the Detroit News wrote Attorneys: Developmentally disabled man not Detroit murderer. I was unaware of any other press. Here are some of the points I was able to capture:
1. One judge asked Kim McGinnis, in her opinion, “Did the original trial judge, Sullivan, abuse his discretion?” McGinnis gave a clear and definite “Yes!”, referring to his decision to allow Davontae’s “confession” to be admitted as evidence, and perhaps on some other points.
To be better informed on the issue of presenting recorded confessions when later the suspect recants, read our presentation of the Davontae’s case and watch Davontae’s “confession”. Then read the article on Michigan’s new video recording law adopted at the beginning of this year, found on the front page of our site. That law specifically addresses exactly what happened with Davontae: the issue of only recording the “confession” and not any of the dynamics leading up to it. Had the law been in place, it would have directly affected Davontae’s trial. It is difficult to understand how a mentally-challenged 14 year old could spend that much time with the police, never having a lawyer present or even any member of his family, because they were never informed that he was a suspect, and then have this “confession” admitted. (And just how do they try a 14 year old as an adult?) In many states, their similar but stricter video recording lawthan the one we have now would have taken the discretion away from the judge and simply not allow such a “confession” to be heard, or at least mandate certain procedural responses. What was surprising to me was that the three member panel was unanimous in their opinion that Judge Sullivan handled this well, considering the evidence at hand.
2. The only real evidence in this trial is Davontae’s “confession” and the testimony of a woman who was hidden in the back room who heard a voice which she thought sounded young. She never saw the gunman because she was hiding. In over 70% of the first 200 DNA cases, eye-witness misidentification was a major part of the evidence. Hmm . . . I wonder what that statistic would be if it involved ear-witness identification??? The “confession” is central. McGinnis says that expert testimony in false confessions (now a well established area of academic study. Click the link to see our explanation of this cause of wrongful convictions) should have been allowed. All the judges, including Sullivan, make statements that they understand false confessions, but it is very difficult to believe that their understanding is anything but superficial. Without being too critical, because this could be said of any profession, what professional career person would want to come across as if he/she did not have a thorough understanding of an issue in their own area of expertise?!
There is one other very important point. I only heard the judges refer to whether or not Davontae’s confession was coerced, so as to render it “involuntary”.  I've never heard anyone state that Davontae's confession was anything but voluntary. So why should his confession not have been allowed? The question is not, as the judges expressed, “Was it voluntary?”, but “Is it reliable?” The details are too much to go into here, but in an article in the Spring 2012 publication of the Northwestern Journal of Law & Social Policy, found in the attachment below, Andrew Taslitz makes a strong argument, citing many cases, including Supreme Court decisions, that the question of voluntariness is subordinate to the question of reliability. That question was totally overlooked, instead only focusing on whether the State may have been coercive. I heard the detective make statements about how much better this is for him to admit this, how he knows his parents want him to tell the truth, and that he would feel better about himself in the long run for confessing this. What is a naive', polite young boy to do? Coerced? No. Manipulated into saying something that wasn't true? Absolutely! Is it reliable? No! Should it be admitted into court as evidence? Only if you want to convict an innocent person.

A First-Timer's Observations This was my first time attending a Court of Appeals (COA) hearing where the attorneys for the parties presented oral arguments, or as they say, "Oral Argument". So I will share the impressions of a first timer, which the non-lawyer reader may find helpful in understanding the process. The type of trial most people envision is a “trial by jury”. The judge’s role is to make sure the proper procedures are followed. He or she listens intently looking for procedural mistakes. The testimony is primarily presented to the jury, who never speak during the trial itself, and the judge never reveals his or her views so as to influence the jury.

There could not be more of a contrast with the goings-on at a COA Oral Argument hearing. There is no jury; only a three-judge panel. The judges have read the briefs and have specific questions they wish to ask, sometimes even pre-empting the lawyer’s opening statement. Knowing the judges already have the facts, the lawyer for each side has two purposes: 1) to give the highlights and emphasize what he or she believes are the most important points in a short period of time. (They scheduled 7 hearings in one hour and failed miserably to stay within the time frame.), and 2) to answer questions the judges ask.

The procedure is that the Appellant lawyer, whose side made the appeal representing Davontae, goes first. This is followed by the side which won the case originally in the lower court, the Appellee, representing the State. The third and final part is a short rebuttal of the Appellant. There may be other procedural rules, but they were not apparent to me. The hearing comes off as more of a casual, intellectual conversation between 5 people, though the Appelant and the Appellee never speak at the same time. What is left is the obvious strategy of being flexible and handling any questions the judges have in an authoritative and respectful manner. Occasional humorous comments are made by the judges, and, of course, when the judge cracks a joke, everyone, on both sides I might add, laugh!

What was clear was that the three judges had carefully read the briefs from both sides. They were very engaged, sometimes sharing why they were leaning in a certain direction on a particular issue, giving the attorneys on both sides an opportunity to respond to what the judges are actually thinking.
3. Smother’s Confession: Central to the defense’s strategy is that they want the testimony of the real killer to influence Davontae’s retrial. I think that the response of the county assistant prosecutor, Thomas Chambers, was very telling. It was purely a technical response, that the trial judge should not have to listen to perjured testimony. (I was unclear as to whether they were referring to Davontae changing his testimony or if they were referring to Smothers.) He responded with a technicality, not considering at all that if it were true, wouldnt that be more important? I have been shocked in recent years to hear prosecutors articulate reasons why they can win a case, brazenly not even giving lip service to the more fundamental question of justice. What I have heard from “the good guys”, shakes me to my core. In regard to recanted confessions, with little consideration of the larger context, the courts and prosecutors in this country ipso facto proclaim the original testimony to be the true testimony and any changes later to be fabrications. There are no exceptions! But I think life teaches us the opposite, that time and distance away from the original crisis gives people more clarity. I think the question, both ethically and legally, should not be “Should the judge listen to perjured testimony?” but “Is it reliable? Is it true?”. No such thought was ever uttered by the prosecutor.
4. Kim McGinnis made the point that there is no comparison between the 18 video recorded hours of Smothers, the real murderer, with the 12 ½ minute clip of the police’s final product, Davontae’s “confession”McGinnis pointed out that almost all of Smother’s details were not known by the police at the time and have since been corroborated. Davontae’s testimony had many factual inaccuracies. If those inaccuracies were taken out of his confession, that would leave only facts that the police already knew. Hmm . . . . Some of these details in Davontae’s testimony, the ones which “only the real killer would have known”, are ludicrous. Example: how did Davontae know there was a red car outside the Runyon Street house? He saw it for himself when the police took him back to the scene of the crime!
I was able to have a brief exchange with the prosecutor going down the elevator and out the building. I asked, “Why do you not entertain the possibility that the detectives spoon-fed Davontae those details?” His response was that, “if they did that, they would lose their jobs.” Eventually I respectfully responded, “Well, perhaps they didn’t do it on purpose. Maybe . . . they were just sloppy.”, to which he only shook his head. Anyone who has browsed the literature on false confessions knows that this is common place when an actually innocent person, usually a youth or a mentally challenged adult, is convicted on a confession which simply isn't true. The detectives slowly guide their unknowing victim down the path of self incrimination, even the innocent! Everyone should know that it is universally accepted and legal for an interrogator to lie and mislead a suspect in order to elicit the response they want. But the prosecutor and the judges don’t seem to consider even the possibility that Davontae received much of his information from his interrogators. No doubt, a product of group think!
I know of another case in which the defense lawyer took the verbatim transcript of the interrogation, and was able to show in court that every time the suspect mentioned a detail of the crime, the police had previously mentioned that detail in their questioning. It was right there in print. Yet, on the witness stand, the detective still denied giving leading questions to the suspect! And the suspect was convicted! Unfortunately, judges often display a complete unawareness of what really goes on in interrogations.
5. Things did not seem like they were going well, but then there were signs of hope. At least two of the three judges made comments that it bothers them that there is the possibility that an innocent person was convicted and sent to jail for most of his life. They expressed a preference that Judge Sullivan be given the benefit of hearing Smother’s side of the story, knowing full well that Sullivan could chose to not believe Smothers.
6. The judges said it was “peculiar” that in Davontae’s “confession,” he implicates several of his friends as accomplices, and yet none of them were ever even called in for questioning. The reason is clear. The only thing the police had on Davontae was his orchestrated “confession,” which was the basis of his conviction. But the content of that confession is so weak that, without confessions from the other boys, it couldn’t convict them, so they didn’t even bother to go through the motions. Assistant Prosecutor, Thomas Chambers, made some joke, which I couldn't quite catch, that he was not privvy to those decisions. It's pretty hard to believe that one who was adequately prepared to argue against Davontae, didn't know the answer to that question. The problem for him was that he did know the answer to that question, but it would hardly have furthered his case.
I was somewhat pleased to witness a professionalism on the part of the judges at least three levels above that which I have witnessed in Michigan parole hearings. Kim McGinnis did a fine job of arguing the facts and this “new evidence” of Smother’s confession. Let’s hope that the judges' biggest concern is the possibility of convicting an innocent person and that this will outweigh all other issues.
No one quotes Blackstone any more: "It is better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer."
We will inform you as soon as we learn of the Court of Appeals' decision.
http://www.provinginnocence.org/142-hold-cases/606-presenting-oral-argument-in-davontae-s-appeal.html

Thursday 8 August 2013

NO PLACE FOR CHILDREN - SOLITARY CONFINEMENT




Children in Shadow
www.childreninshadow.wordpress.com
Please sign also the petition on Care2:
To prevent children of solitary confinement
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/515/87...
Please sign!
Thank you for signing
Petition of:
Children in Shadow
--

Wednesday 7 August 2013

Petitioning Robert E. Cooper, Jr. Tennessee State Attorney General, Department Of Justice: Give Cyntoia Brown A New Trial



Cyntoia Brown is serving a life sentence in Tennessee Prison for Women for the murder of Johnny Allen. However, there is evidence to support that she did this is self-defense, she was also 16 at the time the incident AND was tried as an adult.There is also evidence to suggest that Cyntoia has some mental and emotional disorders as a result of being abused s a child. Please help her get a re-trial so that the mistake of giving her a life sentence can be corrected.
http://www.change.org/petitions/tennessee-state-attorney-general-department-of-justice-give-cyntoia-brown-a-new-trial




You can write Cyntoia Brown at 
 #410593
3881 Stewart's Lane
Nashville, TN 37218

Sunday 4 August 2013

Call to Action: Attend oral arguments in Davontae Sanford’s appeal


We encourage you to attend and see for Davontae Sanford in Courtyourself how our criminal justice system works. In Davontae's case, until now, it has been a dismal failure. It is important that the court understand how many people are taking notice of this case because of the incredible injustice being done to this young man. 
TIME and LOCATION: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 at 10:00 AM Detroit Courtroom, 3020 West Grand Boulevard, 14th Floor

Those listening to the arguments are 
Mark T. Boonstra, PJ, and David H Sawyer and Christopher M Murray, JJ.

The "People of Michigan" are being represented by THOMAS M CHAMBERS and Davontae is being represented by KIM M MCGINNIS

Davontae's case is the fourth of seven scheduled for that hour, so it will be important to be on time.

Click on the links to read about Davontae's Case or to watch
 Davontae's "Confession"

Saturday 3 August 2013

Joshua Young Tried As An Adult For Father's Crime




Joshua Young is on trial for taking part in the murder of his step-brother with his father. Is it inappropriate for the prosecutor to charge Joshua, who was only 15 years old at the time? Looking at the trial footage, we discuss the decision to put him on trial with defense attorney Mike Cavalluzzi, and former prosecutor and retired FBI agent Jim Clemente on this clip from Crime Time.

Watch the Full Episode Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV4DKV...

Crime Time Short Clips Playlist:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wav0-n...

Crime Time Full Episodes Playlist:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV4DKV...
--

Friday 2 August 2013

ThaWilsonBlock Magazine SPECIAL EDITION.



Trayvon-Martin-and-Davontae-Sanford. IRP6
Justice For Tyra Patterson Christy Phillips
ThaWilsonBlock Magazine SPECIAL EDITION.

Beyond Scared Straight: Boot Camp in the Basement




Deputies reveal the purpose and power of the military "boot camp" style tactics of the Richland County Sheriff's Office's RESET program.

Beyond Scared Straight: One on One with a Troubled Teen




In this scene from the episode Richland County, SC: Truth or Consequences, a prison guard disputes a teen's distorted mindset and urges him to change his ways.

Beyond Scared Straight: Richland County Teens Suffer Through Boot Camp

Beyond Scared Straight: Trinity Tears Up




In this scene from the episode Hampton Roads, VA - Girls Fight Back, 12-year-old Trinity tears up when talking to inmates