I recently received a copy of an Opinion and Judgment Entry from the Court of Common Pleas, Lucas County. Michael has been trying, without luck, to have errors in his record corrected. The Court says that his beef is with the Ohio Adult Parole Authority while they say, so I'm told, that his beef his with the Court. Nice Catch-22.
But, what's truly appalling is this. The opinion states that Michael was indicted on 27 August 1977. He wasn't even arrested until 11 September 1977 and he was indicted on 14 September. It says that he was convicted on 12 December 1977. His trial didn't begin until 19 December; he was convicted on the 21st. His co-defendant went to trial on the 12th. And, he was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole at 15 years, commonly referred to as 15 to life.
If this is the level of efficiency and reliability that comes out of the Court is it any wonder that innocent people are sitting in prison?
Monday, March 28, 2011
Update, sort of...
As I mentioned below, I'm hesitant to post the specifics of any "accomplishments" regarding our attempts to locate fresh evidence. But, I do want to say - for those of you who check in here now and again - that, since my last post, we've had two major successes. We're two for four in those particular efforts and have a lead on one of the two remaining "goals."
Aside from that, I'll be traveling to Ohio next week to attend the 2011 Innocence Network Conference in Cincinnati. But, I'll be flying into Columbus and driving to Cincinnati so that I can detour through Marion and visit Michael on the 7th.
I'm also reading False Justice, by the former attorney general of Ohio, Jim Petro, and Nancy Petro. I guess they'll be at the conference doing a signing. I've written to Mr. Petro - alas, I've not heard back. I can only imagine the letters he and his co-author/wife receive...
That's about it for now. Keep your fingers crossed for another "win."
Update: I had the privilege of meeting Jim and Nancy Petro at the conference. They were both very nice and, of course, saddened by Michael's story.
Aside from that, I'll be traveling to Ohio next week to attend the 2011 Innocence Network Conference in Cincinnati. But, I'll be flying into Columbus and driving to Cincinnati so that I can detour through Marion and visit Michael on the 7th.
I'm also reading False Justice, by the former attorney general of Ohio, Jim Petro, and Nancy Petro. I guess they'll be at the conference doing a signing. I've written to Mr. Petro - alas, I've not heard back. I can only imagine the letters he and his co-author/wife receive...
That's about it for now. Keep your fingers crossed for another "win."
Update: I had the privilege of meeting Jim and Nancy Petro at the conference. They were both very nice and, of course, saddened by Michael's story.
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