| Several years ago, as Mike Dewine just became Ohio’s governor, I sent in a “clemency application” to the Ohio Parole Board. The clemency application covers several options for the governor to consider. A pardon is just one of them. In the application, I stated that a pardon is for people who have committed a crime for which the governor could forgive them. I also mentioned that I was an innocent man and did not know if I wanted a pardon. I have committed no crime for which to be forgiven. I went on to say that he could look at the evidence himself by logging onto the website my family had set up for me. We had not yet met Bob Chatelle, and he had not set the other site up. All the evidence files are on the site.
Apparently, on March 31st of 2021, the parole board held a meeting to discuss whether Dewine should pardon me. It appears that 7 board members unanimously agreed to tell the governor he should not pardon me. Moreover, that my claim of innocence is more appropriately addressed by the judiciary. They concluded by saying it is still up to the governor, and that I would be hearing from his office directly.
My family and I have tried the judiciary several times, and an innocent man is still incarcerated. We keep trying, but someone needs to step up. I went to the Parole Board in 2018, and they said they knew I would tell them I am innocent, and even said they were aware of the website. They still gave me 5 more years (next date in supposed to be in February of 2023). Feel free to contact the board on my behalf.
Can you start to see why so many people fall into despair? Show me what hope is given? The courts do not want to do the right thing, and there is desperate need for reform. Once in prison, it seems everything and everyone wants to make sure you never leave, or at least stay as long as they can possibly keep you. The parole board had the evidence sitting right in front of them, and they brushed it aside. One of the members even stated that there were a lot of people in prison who did not have any evidence against them. As though this is a normal fact? I asked, “don’t you think that is a problem”? Of course, I did not get a response. It is these same individuals who are giving the governor a recommendation on a pardon. I am sure they will mention this as they give me more time.
Whole lives are destroyed by these decisions. Not just the lives of those in prison. An old convict once told me that the ones who love us, do the time with us. I hate that the ones I love have had their lives turned upside down just because of me, and the failures of the judicial system. No one wants to stand up and fix these injustices. What recourse are we given?
Other inmates are always saying they do not want to rock the boat. They want to keep their head down so the parole board will look favorably upon them. Like the board wants to turn all inmates into some compliant lap dog who is afraid to speak for the truth. I am just supposed to do nothing, say nothing, and let injustices happen so I can pray the board will let me go home the next time I see them. Mom never raised me to be a coward. I will always speak up against the injustices I see, and that includes against those who have my freedom in their hands.
I expect the governor will deny me any kind of help based upon the board’s recommendations. I know the board will give me more time the next time I see them. My only hope lies in proving my innocence. That is a very thin thing to lay the rest of your life onto. |
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