Thursday, February 21, 2013
Breaking News
Michael has been granted parole. His POA - parole on or after - date is Monday, 22 April. I'll post more about the hearing, etc. at another time. Right now, I'm exhausted. But, I did get to visit Michael - along with his sisters, cousin, niece, and a colleague of mine. He was, of course, elated. Thanks to everyone who sent their good thoughts, prayers, etc. The ultimate in justice has not yet been achieved, but this is a major step in the right direction.
Monday, February 18, 2013
News Coverage
There is an article in the Toledo Blade about the upcoming parole hearing. If you are unable to view it because it prompts you to pay, try changing your settings to prohibit pop-up windows. On some computers it gets blocked; on others it can be read. Please be aware that this was a brief article, not full coverage of the case. As such, there is one major error and there are lots of missing details. I.e., Mr. Cordle was not staying at the Y of his own volition while his house was being worked on and, as for missing details, there were three wounds that were considered fatal; the coroner testified that neither of Mr. Ustaszewski's knives could have made these wounds; and so forth.
And, there is a blog post here that is a response to the above article.
Personally, what I found most shocking and disappointing is that a member of the bar referred to another human being as 'defective.' This from a man who, judging by his comments, has not done even the most basic review of the facts of the case, let alone read the transcripts. To refer to another human being as 'defective' is unprofessional, at best.
I do want to note that while I did contact the Blade in 2010, they weren't interested. This article was prompted by a call from someone else. As a result of that 'tip,' I was contacted.
Finally, the website will not be updated any time soon. Unfortunately the hosting company changed platforms and I am unable to edit the site. I have to completely rebuild it and that's not going to happen this week to be sure!
And, there is a blog post here that is a response to the above article.
Personally, what I found most shocking and disappointing is that a member of the bar referred to another human being as 'defective.' This from a man who, judging by his comments, has not done even the most basic review of the facts of the case, let alone read the transcripts. To refer to another human being as 'defective' is unprofessional, at best.
I do want to note that while I did contact the Blade in 2010, they weren't interested. This article was prompted by a call from someone else. As a result of that 'tip,' I was contacted.
Finally, the website will not be updated any time soon. Unfortunately the hosting company changed platforms and I am unable to edit the site. I have to completely rebuild it and that's not going to happen this week to be sure!
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.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Big. Really Big.
I'm getting tired of posting that I can't really post, but, so be it. All I can say is, we received some very good news late last week. Stay tuned. Hopefully in the coming weeks I'll be able to reveal what we've accomplished and what we hope will come of it.
Note for today:
Note for today:
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