Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Parole Hearing
For those not on facebook... Michael had a parole hearing on 26 October. This sub-set of the board recommended that parole be granted. The full board then recommended, by majority vote, that parole be granted. They are statutorily obligated to notify the prosecutor and the victim's family. Since someone objected, the next step is a hearing before the full board. Michael is not physically present at that hearing. He may have up to three people speak on his behalf and may have up to 20 people present. This hearing will occur on 21 February 2013. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Been too long...
I realized as I typed, that the title has multiple meanings. It's been a while since I've posted and, if you look at the counter to the right, you'll see that Michael has been wrongfully incarcerated for far too long.
I just wanted to post a note saying that I spent about 4 hours today visiting with Michael. He was in better spirits than when I saw him last September. And, in January - when we did the video interview - he was nervous so I'm not really sure what, beyond that, he was feeling.
His next hearing for parole consideration is in October and he's anxious - in both a good way and not - about that. Other inmates are telling him that they "just have a feeling..." that he'll be granted parole. On the one hand, he needs to be positive and, as we discussed, needs to have a plan. On the other hand, I do have concerns about the "crash" that he will experience if he is, once again, denied.
We talked about what he will do during his first few days out. I was told to bring Epsom salts, rubbing alcohol, and bubble bath for his first soak in 35 years. He wants to get his driver's license. He'll need clothing. I was thinking that it's a lot like being born... at 53.
Well, I am trying to think about what he'll need to do to be prepared, but I, too, don't want to get my hopes up for him. The good news is that he'll have the decision about two months before he would actually be released.That's about it. Keep him in your thoughts!
I just wanted to post a note saying that I spent about 4 hours today visiting with Michael. He was in better spirits than when I saw him last September. And, in January - when we did the video interview - he was nervous so I'm not really sure what, beyond that, he was feeling.
His next hearing for parole consideration is in October and he's anxious - in both a good way and not - about that. Other inmates are telling him that they "just have a feeling..." that he'll be granted parole. On the one hand, he needs to be positive and, as we discussed, needs to have a plan. On the other hand, I do have concerns about the "crash" that he will experience if he is, once again, denied.
We talked about what he will do during his first few days out. I was told to bring Epsom salts, rubbing alcohol, and bubble bath for his first soak in 35 years. He wants to get his driver's license. He'll need clothing. I was thinking that it's a lot like being born... at 53.
Well, I am trying to think about what he'll need to do to be prepared, but I, too, don't want to get my hopes up for him. The good news is that he'll have the decision about two months before he would actually be released.That's about it. Keep him in your thoughts!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Greetings from Ohio
I left University Heights, OH at 6:00 am this morning and drove - in darkness and rain - to the Marion Correctional Institution. By a few minutes after 9:00 I was in, had set up the camera, releases were signed, Michael was miked, and we were ready to go. I was pretty nervous getting started - not about the prison, but that technology would fail me. I wanted to put my 32GB card in and couldn't find it. I was freaking out! But, I found it. Whew!
We went through a series of questions and wrapped things up minutes before noon. The video images look decent. I'm a little worried about the sound. We were supposed to be in the warden's conference room, but got moved to a staff resource room. Doesn't sound so bad, but it's across from the visiting room and immediately next to some of the very heavy, loud, clanging doors. If the mike picked that up it actually might add something. But, it could also prove to be disruptive. We'll see. I was supposed to record a minute of ambient sound (i.e., the air, no talking), but I forgot! Palm to forehead.
Michael did very well. He was a little nervous at first, but seemed to relax a bit. I isn't easy, but especially not when a member of the warden's staff is sitting five feet away making sure he approves of everything you say. There were only a couple of spots where he said we had to cut it. Basically, no comments about ODRC staff, no names, etc. He seems like a nice guy and he was just doing his job, but it is a bit intimidating, I think.
But, it's done - for now. Tomorrow morning, if all goes according to plan, I'll be interviewing one of Michael's sisters and her adult daughter in Cleveland. Then, later tomorrow afternoon I meet with one of his brothers and his other sister in Toledo. Fingers crossed that it all goes well. Stay tuned. Once we get things cleaned up and the warden's office approves, I'll post something here.
We went through a series of questions and wrapped things up minutes before noon. The video images look decent. I'm a little worried about the sound. We were supposed to be in the warden's conference room, but got moved to a staff resource room. Doesn't sound so bad, but it's across from the visiting room and immediately next to some of the very heavy, loud, clanging doors. If the mike picked that up it actually might add something. But, it could also prove to be disruptive. We'll see. I was supposed to record a minute of ambient sound (i.e., the air, no talking), but I forgot! Palm to forehead.
Michael did very well. He was a little nervous at first, but seemed to relax a bit. I isn't easy, but especially not when a member of the warden's staff is sitting five feet away making sure he approves of everything you say. There were only a couple of spots where he said we had to cut it. Basically, no comments about ODRC staff, no names, etc. He seems like a nice guy and he was just doing his job, but it is a bit intimidating, I think.
But, it's done - for now. Tomorrow morning, if all goes according to plan, I'll be interviewing one of Michael's sisters and her adult daughter in Cleveland. Then, later tomorrow afternoon I meet with one of his brothers and his other sister in Toledo. Fingers crossed that it all goes well. Stay tuned. Once we get things cleaned up and the warden's office approves, I'll post something here.
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