There is good news that I can't yet share publicly, though none that "makes the case."
But, the good news that I can share is that Michael was able to get his record corrected to reflect "15 to life" rather than the "life to life" it had been showing. Not only is that good news because the parole board will, in 2012, be dealing with the correct info, but I think the fact that Michael was able to navigate the system and actually have it result in his complaint being validated is a really good thing for him.
Hopefully I'll be able to post some really good news in the not so distant future.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Court Errors
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?
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?
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.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Update
As I've said before, I don't really want to post details of any "movement." I'm just wary of the wrong people getting the info and using it to try to defeat any future actions on our part. But, we've got good news regarding things that could potentially constitute new evidence, or lead us to new evidence. Fingers crossed.
And, in other news, I heard from one of Michael's brothers, posting here as Jerry. Glad he found the blog, and me. It's nice to hear from a family member. Welcome!
As we approach December, we also approach the 33rd anniversary of Michael's (wrongful) conviction. Thirty three years. That's over 12,000 days. Twelve. Thousand. Days. In prison. This will be his 34th Christmas as a prisoner. Keep him in your thoughts.
And, in other news, I heard from one of Michael's brothers, posting here as Jerry. Glad he found the blog, and me. It's nice to hear from a family member. Welcome!
As we approach December, we also approach the 33rd anniversary of Michael's (wrongful) conviction. Thirty three years. That's over 12,000 days. Twelve. Thousand. Days. In prison. This will be his 34th Christmas as a prisoner. Keep him in your thoughts.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Michael's Artwork
I have nothing new to share regarding our efforts to address Michael's wrongful conviction. But, I did think it might be nice to post these photos of two pieces of his art that I just received from him.
Friday, September 3, 2010
The Latest
It's been a month since my last post. Just in case anyone is checking to see if there's any news, I wanted to post something.
There has been movement in the investigation. However, I don't feel it's prudent to post details in a public forum. I will say that a number of persons of interest have been located, two of whom have been interviewed. No small feat when you consider that the case is 33 years old! If you have an interest in the case and wish to receive a more detailed update, feel free to send me an email.
Also, remember that there's a facebook group, Justice for Michael Ustaszewski. Consider visiting us there. Thanks!
There has been movement in the investigation. However, I don't feel it's prudent to post details in a public forum. I will say that a number of persons of interest have been located, two of whom have been interviewed. No small feat when you consider that the case is 33 years old! If you have an interest in the case and wish to receive a more detailed update, feel free to send me an email.
Also, remember that there's a facebook group, Justice for Michael Ustaszewski. Consider visiting us there. Thanks!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
August 2010
It has been brought to my attention that some folks who have accessed this blog have had trouble following it. The reason it is not in "perfect" chronological order is because I have written as I have gathered info, had ideas, etc. But, the best way - for those who want to know as much as possible about Michael's case - is to use the Blog Archive to the right.
Click on 2009. Then click on November. Then, start with the lowest posting (i.e., Degrees of Separation). From there, work your way toward the present. I.e., then December 2009, then January 2010. And, again, within each month, start at the bottom, reading the lowest post first and work your way up.
This is not a "web site," but a blog. It is a free way of sharing this information. I cannot afford to maintain a "real" website about Michael's case so this is the next best thing.
I should add that the case history is confusing. I've read, and re-read, the transcripts, the police file, Michael's letters, etc. and I still get confused! So, if you're confused, you're not alone.
I have been asked about how people can help. Those of you in Ohio can help by writing to people in the state legislature or to newspapers. I have written to state legislators in Districts 46 (Sears), 47 (Walter), 48 (Brown), and 49 (Szollosi) as well as State Senator (District 2) Wagoner. I have also written to Rose Russell, a reporter at the Toledo Blade. Not that it's a real surprise, but none of these individuals has extended me the courtesy of a reply.
The biggest help of all, of course, would be fundraising. Through the generosity of one donor I was able to hire a private investigator to start working on the case. But, at $75/hour, money goes fast. He has developed some good leads, but I don't want to post those publicly, at least not just yet. Michael knows what is being done. If you have any way of raising funds or can make even a small donation yourself, please use the FundBunch link on the right of this page. Every little bit helps!
Again, if you can't help financially, please consider helping by spreading the word. It only takes one interested person in the "right" place to get the ball rolling!
That's it for now. If you have questions, feel free to contact me directly at msheridaneh@gmail.com. Thanks for reading!
Click on 2009. Then click on November. Then, start with the lowest posting (i.e., Degrees of Separation). From there, work your way toward the present. I.e., then December 2009, then January 2010. And, again, within each month, start at the bottom, reading the lowest post first and work your way up.
This is not a "web site," but a blog. It is a free way of sharing this information. I cannot afford to maintain a "real" website about Michael's case so this is the next best thing.
I should add that the case history is confusing. I've read, and re-read, the transcripts, the police file, Michael's letters, etc. and I still get confused! So, if you're confused, you're not alone.
I have been asked about how people can help. Those of you in Ohio can help by writing to people in the state legislature or to newspapers. I have written to state legislators in Districts 46 (Sears), 47 (Walter), 48 (Brown), and 49 (Szollosi) as well as State Senator (District 2) Wagoner. I have also written to Rose Russell, a reporter at the Toledo Blade. Not that it's a real surprise, but none of these individuals has extended me the courtesy of a reply.
The biggest help of all, of course, would be fundraising. Through the generosity of one donor I was able to hire a private investigator to start working on the case. But, at $75/hour, money goes fast. He has developed some good leads, but I don't want to post those publicly, at least not just yet. Michael knows what is being done. If you have any way of raising funds or can make even a small donation yourself, please use the FundBunch link on the right of this page. Every little bit helps!
Again, if you can't help financially, please consider helping by spreading the word. It only takes one interested person in the "right" place to get the ball rolling!
That's it for now. If you have questions, feel free to contact me directly at msheridaneh@gmail.com. Thanks for reading!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
