Archive for November, 2022

Governor’s Council to Decide Amirault Pardons

Monday, November 28th, 2022

Getty Images. This April 2000 file photo shows Gerald “Tookie” Amirault while being interviewed by the press at the Bay State Correctional Center.

As most of you know, the NCRJ has been supporting the Amirault family in their quest for justice since our founding. You may have read our recent post about Governor Baker finally seeking pardons. There is one more step in the process.

In colonial times, the Governor of Massachusetts Bay colony was appointed by the English Crown. The colonists resented his power, and a concession was made allowing the colonists to create a Governor’s Council to approve certain of the Governor’s decisions, including appointments and pardons. This archaic institution is still with us.

On December 13th at 1 p.m. they will meet to vote on approving pardons for Gerald and Cheryl Amirault. If you live in Massachusetts, it is vital that you telephone or otherwise contact your Governor’s Councilor to urge their support for the pardons.

If you don’t know how to contact your Councilor:

1. Go to this website and enter your address. When you get the results, scroll all the way down to find your Governor’s Council District.
2. Go to this website to find the contact information for your Councilor.

Please, help us bring this 38-year-old nightmare to an end.

Posted in Innocents, Prisons, Sex Panic | No Comments »

Breaking: The Amiraults to receive pardons!

Saturday, November 19th, 2022

This April 2000 file photo shows Gerald “Tookie” Amirault while being interviewed by the press at the Bay State Correctional Center.

Members of the The National Center for Reason and Justice were actively fighting to rectify this dreadful miscarriage of justice before we were even incorporated. Indeed, it was because of this case, and others like it, that we decided our organization was necessary.

We did more than publicize the case and support efforts to overturn the wrongful convictions. We kept in close personal touch with the family. We frequently visited Gerald in prison. When a family member was lost, we attended wakes and funerals.

One of our Advisors, Harvey Silverglate, was part of the legal team. We sometimes thought that victory was ours. But the Supreme Judicial Court, to their disgrace, always torpedoed our efforts.

Because Massachusetts courts dug in their heels and refused to budge, our remaining hope was the Governor. And eight years ago, Wen Charlie Baker was elected, we were hopeful that the case was at an end.

Baker chose not to run for a third term, and a new Governor was elected. Baker finally acted and has requested pardons for Gerald Amirault  and Cheryl Amirault LeFave.

Here is one news story. Many more will follow.

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