my care2
make a difference

community & fun

shares

share your passions, stories, inspirations, and more

Justice for William Gage
Sep 25, 2008


http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/justice-for-william-gage.html

Please sign the petition and pass around. The more signatures we can get from all around the world the better. Scotland gets away with this kind of thing because it does not get the international outcry it should get!

Web site: http://williegage.blogspot.com/
William Gage, was jailed for life and ordered to serve at least 20 years in 2004 for executing a drug dealer named Justine McAlroy.

There is new evidence in the case, including an alibi for Gage at the time of the murder.

Justin McAlroy had been under surveillance by the Scottish Drugs Enforcement Agency for more than a year before his death in 2002.

As far back as August 2002, a fifteen year old witness was complaining of police intimidation.

Vital evidence shows that this case is seriously flawed.

See http://williegage.blogspot.com/ for further details and information and a documentary on the case also
 
(0) | () | | send green star | flag as inappropriate
Visibility: Everyone
Tags: , ,
Posted: Sep 25, 2008 2:37am
Arthur Tyler Is Awaiting Execution -- When The Actual Murderer Is Known And Being Protected By Ohio Law Enforcement
May 6, 2008
Focus: Death Penalty
Action Request: Petition
Location: Ohio, United States
Arthur Tyler Is Awaiting Execution -- When The Actual Murderer Is Known And Being Protected By Ohio Law Enforcement

By Rick Kerger, Esq.*

I have handled five death penalty habeas matters. Only in one has the evidence of a client’s innocence been overwhelming, and that client is Arthur Tyler. He now stands literally at the door of the death chamber and unless people act, an innocent man will be killed by the State.

The circumstances of the case are as follows:

On March 12, 1983, Sander Leach was killed in the van from which he was selling vegetables on Cleveland’s east side. In 1985, Tyler was convicted of shooting and killing Mr. Leach and was sentenced to death.

The key witness in that case was and remains today Leroy Head. There is no doubt that Leroy Head was involved in the events which led to the death of Mr. Leach. The circumstances are such that only the victim, Head and Tyler could know what happened on March 12, 1983.

A few days after Leach’s murder, the police brought Leroy Head and two of his friends into the police station to question them concerning another murder. The police believed the individuals were witnesses to the other murder, as opposed to suspects. During the questioning, Head began to look nervous. The police asked his friends why and they told the two officers that Head had shot Mr. Leach. “In these statements they both stated that Head came to there (sic) house right after the shooting and told them that he just kill (sic) the old man who sold produce on East 66th.” (This statement appears in a police report.)

Confronted with his friends’ statements, Head asked to speak with his mother. The police transported her to the station to speak with her son. After meeting with him for “approx (sic) 3 minutes, she came out of the room crying and saying that he did it.” This statement appears in a police report.

Head then confessed to the police that while Tyler was outside Mr. Leach’s van, unaware of what was taking place inside, Head had gotten into a struggle with Leach and then shot him. Head reduced his oral confession to writing: “At the first shot I starting (sic) falling over towards him, and that’s when the gun went off a second time.” (Police report.)

Within ten days of his first confession, Head confessed again, this time to an investigator working for Arthur Tyler’s lawyer. Head again wrote out a statement admitting to having shot and killed Sander Leach while Tyler was outside the van: “I grabbed (the gun) and it went off – the old man fell back and I fell on top of him – the gun went off again.” (Investigator’s report.)

Then on May 27th after Head, now with his own court-appointed legal counsel, met with the prosecutor. Head changed his statement and made Arthur Tyler the shooter. This was the version Head gave during his testimony at Tyler’s trial. But these were not the last statements given by Head concerning the killing. In post-conviction proceedings, affidavits were obtained from Head which stated as follows:

* April 27, 1986 – Head stated, in his own handwriting, that he and he alone had shot Leach. “I shot and killed him” and Tyler was unaware that the crime was taking place.
* May 16, 1989 – Head tells lawyers for Arthur Tyler that he had lied when he testified that Tyler had killed Leach. Head said the prosecutors told him that if he did not testify he would be tried for capital murder, sent to a less secure prison, with the prosecutor making sure the other inmates knew he was a snitch. (Lawyer note.)
* July 27, 1991 – Head confirmed in an affidavit that he, not Arthur Tyler, killed Leach. “Leach pulled a gun out and he was shot while we scuffled.”

During the state post-conviction process, it developed that Head had confessed to still another friend. On April 25, 1991, Luther Aldridge, a half-brother of Head’s friend, Anthony Gillis, stated in an affidavit that he had gone to Gillis’s house around 6:00 p.m. on the day of the homicide. Head was present and told Aldridge that “he had robbed and shot the vender.” (Aldridge Affidavit.) Aldridge later encountered Head in prison and asked him why he was letting Tyler remain on Death Row. Head told Aldridge that he was going to confess to the crime. (Aldridge Affidavit.)
 
During proceedings in federal habeas corpus, Tyler was granted permission to take the deposition of Leroy Head. But Head refused to testify, citing his rights to avoid self-incrimination. A lawyer was appointed to represent Head. The deposition was rescheduled and again Head invoked his rights under the Fifth Amendment. Tyler’s counsel asked that the State grant immunity to Head so that his testimony could be obtained. The request was refused. The Court sustained Head’s assertion of his right not to testify and refused to grant the petition for habeas corpus.

On September 20, 2005, I wrote to the Attorney General’s office asking that it take steps to assure that immunity be extended. That request has been greeted with silence.

Having obtained the side of the story they wished, the State is now effectively sealing the lips of the only witness who can establish Tyler’s innocence and avoid the execution of an innocent man. Keep in mind: There can be no valid assertion of the Fifth Amendment by Head unless he is going to change his testimony. If he testifies as he did at trial, the situation would be that the shooter was Arthur Tyler and there would neither be a basis for any criminal proceedings against Head for murder or for perjury. It would only be that if, under oath, Head changed his story back to his original version where he was the shooter that he would be potentially exposed to criminal charges. Were he to do that, Tyler’s actual innocence would furnish a basis to avoid his execution.

No one has ever offered a reasonable basis for Head’s recantation of his confessions, other than the fact that the prosecutor told him at last minute that if he did not point the finger at Tyler, they would seek the death penalty for him. The police theory was that since Tyler was older, he was the one who directed their activities and was the shooter.

The circumstances of the case were simple and not at all what the police believed them to be. Arthur did not know Head. They met at a friend’s house. They came up with the idea of robbing a nearby meat market, one which regrettably was also next to the van from which Mr. Leach sold his vegetables.

The plan was that Arthur, who knew the owners of the meat market, would go in and present a check to be signed. The check was in a sufficiently large amount that they felt the owners would have to open the safe, at which point Head was to swing into the room with a pistol and they would “clean out” the safe.

With Head outside, Arthur went in, only to find that the two owners were both absent leaving the business in the control of someone who was unable to open the safe. While Arthur was in the market trying to figure out what to do next, Head saw the old man and went over to rob him. As Arthur was leaving the market, he heard a shot coming from the van and found that Head had killed Mr. Leach. They both then ran.

Reflect on the day of Head’s arrest. He is surprised by the police and taken to the station. He becomes nervous. He asks that his mother be allowed to speak with him. She is brought to the station. In a few minutes, she leaves the interview room in tears stating that “he did it.” Why would Head lie to his mother about being the shooter?

Why did Arthur get convicted? I read the transcript and the answer is simple – he chose to testify. At the time he was a smart aleck, streetwise young Black man and the testimony he gave, while not inculpatory was cocky and offensive, to be frank. He had a criminal record, but not for violent crimes. He was a con man. He hustled pool. But he did not shoot or assault people.

He needs help. Right now the State is sealing the lips of the only individual who could save him. Arthur has appealed his case to the Supreme Court and is likely to be without any further legal redress. Ohio’s Governor can commute this sentence. Arthur needs your help. Without it, Ohio will execute an innocent man later this year.

Sign a petition to reopen Arthur Tyler's case:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/investigate-the-case-of-arthur-tyler.html

Wendy Alsford and Karen Torley are coordinating the campaign to stop Arthur Tyler’s execution. They can be emailed at, justiceforarthurtyler@gmail.com
 
For more information about Arthur Tyler’s case see the following websites:

http://torley.org/Arthur-Tyler/Arthur-Tyler

http://justiceforarthurtyler.blogspot.com

* Rick Kerger is a Toledo, Ohio criminal attorney.
(0) | () | | send green star | flag as inappropriate
Visibility: Everyone
Tags: , , ,
Posted: May 6, 2008 1:23pm
Grant Disclosure to Scottish Defendants
Mar 31, 2008
Focus: Human Rights
Action Request: Petition
Location: United Kingdom
http://gopetition.com/petitions/grant-disclosure-to-scottish-defendants.html

Please sign and pass on.

http://justice4killie2.blogspot.com/
(0) | () | | send green star | flag as inappropriate
Visibility: Everyone
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted: Mar 31, 2008 3:10pm
One Million signed. Can we reach 2 Million??
Mar 27, 2008
Dear friends,

We reached our target! In just 7 days over 1 million of us have signed the petition calling for human rights and dialogue in Tibet--the fastest growing internet petition in history. As the crisis continues, it's time to deliver our petition and make sure Chinese President Hu Jintao hears our voices.

An International Day of Action has been declared for Monday, March 31st. On Monday, thousands of people in cities across the world will march to Chinese embassies and consulates, and stack hundreds of boxes containing our petition outside them. 1 million signatures makes a mountain of boxes--it will send a powerful global message.

We have just 4 days left until the petition delivery. Could we get to 2 million signatures in 4 days? We can do it--if every one of us recruits at least one more friend to sign the petition by forwarding the email below.

--------------------------------------------------

Dear friends,

After decades of repression, the Tibetan people are crying out to the world for change. The Olympic spotlight is now on China, and Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama is calling to end all riots and violence through restraint and dialogue.

China's hardliners are lashing out publicly at the Dalai Lama--but many Chinese leaders believe dialogue is the best hope for stability in Tibet. The government is right now considering a crucial choice between repression and dialogue that could determine Tibet's--and China's--future.

We can affect this historic choice--President Hu Jintao values China's reputation, and he needs to hear from us that the 'Made in China' brand and the upcoming Olympics in Beijing will succeed only if he chooses dialogue over the hardliners' repression. An avalanche of global people power is moving to get his attention. In just one week, over 1 million people have signed our petition, which will be delivered in rallies at Chinese embassies worldwide on Monday--click below to join the global outcry, and then forward this email to friends and family right away:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/tibet_end_the_violence/66.php/?cl=66770705

China's economy is dependent on "Made in China" exports that we all buy, and the government is keen to make the Olympics in Beijing this summer a celebration of a new and respected China. China is also a sprawling, diverse country with much brutality in its past, so it has good reasons to be concerned about stability--some of Tibet's rioters killed innocent people. But President Hu must recognize that the greatest danger to Chinese stability and development today comes from hardliners who advocate escalating repression, not from those Tibetans seeking dialogue and reform.

The Tibetan people have suffered quietly for decades. It is finally their moment to speak--we must help them be heard.

With hope and respect,

Ricken, Pascal, Graziela, Iain, Paul, Galit, Milena, Ben and the whole Avaaz team

Here are some links with more information on the Tibetan protests and the Chinese response:

Reuters reports unrest continues:
http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed1/idUSPEK369654

China allows first journalists back into Lhasa, monks speak out:
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/local%20news/tibet/2008/03/27/149167/Tibet-monks.htm

Europe and the US step up calls for dialogue:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/27/europe/27europe.php

Prominent Chinese Intellectuals call for fair approach to Tibet:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/24/asia/chinasub.php
-----------


ABOUT AVAAZ
Avaaz.org is an independent, not-for-profit global campaigning organization that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people inform global decision-making. (Avaaz means "voice" in many languages.) Avaaz receives no money from governments or corporations, and is staffed by a global team based in London, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Paris, Washington DC, and Geneva.

Don't forget to check out our Facebook and Myspace pages!
(0) | () | | send green star | flag as inappropriate
Visibility: Everyone
Tags:
Posted: Mar 27, 2008 4:08am
Justice For Arthur Tyler
Mar 21, 2008
Focus: Human Rights
Action Request: Petition
Location: United States
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/4/Investigate-the-case-of-Arthur-Tyler


Arthur Tyler sits on Ohio's Death Row despite the evidence and the testimony showing that he was not involved in the crime he was convicted of. Another man, Leroy Head confessed more than five times to the murder of Mr Sander Leach over 25 years ago.

Leroy Head was indeed convicted but despite his many confessions he will be a free man one day in the near future.

Arthur on the other hand may die by lethal injection for a crime he did not commit.

25 years in prison for something you did not do is bad enough.  But to be executed after all this time is just cruel and inhumane.

The trial transcripts are online on his site www.justiceforarthurtyler.blogspot.com  As are other court documents.

Please do not just take my word for it. READ and learn of this terrible injustice.

Thank you
Karen

(0) | () | | send green star | flag as inappropriate
Visibility: Everyone
Tags: ,
Posted: Mar 21, 2008 5:51pm
Djinn Buckingham
Mar 21, 2008
Appalling case of a child in prison

At the age of twelve, Djinn Buckingham was arrested and convicted for the house fire, and death of his cousin Sierra. He was charged with criminal homicide, one count of arson, six counts of irritated assault and six counts of reckless endangerment. His family and supporters say he did not do it.


http://www.myspace.com/ssteven561

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/595741/supporters_of_juvenile_inmate_djinn.html]

I would like to bring to your attention the case of a child in the Stroudsburg, Pa. area that needs help. I have been trying to give this child help but many avenues and approaches have fallen upon deaf ears. The child's name is Djinn Buckingham-he was arrested at the age of 12 for the crimes of arson and murder. After a long questioning session with State Police & the Fire Marshall, they engaged Djinn in fantasy conversation and created a fictitious statement that he confessed. There is no verbal or written confession-the questioning session was not taped or recorded in any way. For background on this please see the following link:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/freedjinnnow

There are many serious questions that remain about this questioning and how he was treated by the authorities questioning him, this child was also severely learning disabled and was under the influence of several prescribed medications-some of which were not to be administered to anyone under 18. After his arrest-he stated that he didn't set the fire in which his cousin was killed, was scared and intimidated and that he didn't confess to anything. This child spent several months in the Monroe County Correctional Facility-an adult jail-before his trial. During this period he was not allowed contact with his family and after his trial he did plea guilty. He was sentenced to an open ended sentence and can be released at 18 possibly 21 or if certain factors kick in 25. He is 14 now and has been placed at the Cornell Abraxas Youth Center-in there Secure Treatment Unit. Since his placement he has stated once again that he is innocent and was forced into pleading guilty-by his Public Defender and the State Psychiatrist and that they made him plea guilty to something he didn't do. I honsetly believe this child is innocent-and I feel that in my heart. I feel led to help this child but as I said previously all of my pleas for help have fallen upon mostly deaf ears. This child should be given a fair day in court and allowed to say what happened. I am trying to raise the funds to help this child and get him back into court-but our only option as I understand would be to go to the State Supreme Court to seek relief-to do that an attorney would be very expensive. I would like to ask and see if I may enlist help in this matter. I have also attached some pictures of this child to this email and have also added some URL addresses for you to see that this child is truely deserving of our help. I appreciate your time and consideration in this matter.

Pictures of Djinn in a slideshow

http://img252.imageshack.us/slideshow/player.php?id=img252/1962/1188679387jg2.smil


Reverend Stephen can be emailed at ssteven561@msn.com
(0) | () | | send green star | flag as inappropriate
Visibility: Everyone
Tags:
Posted: Mar 21, 2008 10:35am
The Case of George Skatzes
Mar 21, 2008


http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/GeorgeSkatzes/

Please sign George's Petition

http://georgeskatzescampaign.blogspot.com/

Nearly 25 years ago the lives of my family as well as my own changed forever.

No question about it, life will never be the same for any of us.

Being up front about it, I have been an outlaw for the better part of my life. One thing for sure, I will never pass myself off for something I am not.

I was not accepted in the mainstream of society. Being forced into a sub culture , no doubt I came up in this world with very different views.

With the above in mind, it was very easy for the powers that be to convict me of a crime I had nothing to do with. They really wanted me off the streets and it didn't matter how they had to do it.

The odd thing is, in early October of 1982, when they came to arrest me, I had put my life pretty well together. That was surely a first for me! At that time I had a wife and child. I pretty well settled down.

Cutting a long story short, I was charged with the murder of Art Smith, the manager of Rinks department store in Bellefontaine, Ohio. This crime happened in October 1979. It was a thorn in the Prosecutors side. He had to solve this crime.

When I went to trial for this murder, the only evidence they had against me was an inmate doing 37 to 130 years in Lucasville, Ohio's maximum security prison.
And his wife. Both of these people were indicted for this murder, plus several other crimes. They cut a deal, received immunity for AL their other crimes, and otherwise made out very well for testifying against me.

There was no physical evidence to convict me. Only the word of two lying snitches.

The system is not about justice, or convicting only the guilty. Mr Prosecutor can convict anybody he pleases! It takes nothing to convict an innocent person.

Upon being convicted, I was sentenced to life in prison.

It took nearly three years to get the courts opinion on my direct appeal.

My family and I, we just knew the courts of appeals would throw this case out. Wrong!

After my direct appeal I was on my own. I had no money and couldn't get any help from any lawyers.

My trial attorneys will tell you they believe I am innocent of this crime, but no money, no help! Money is what it is all about!!

Fighting a murder conviction pro se from the Walls of Lucasville, with no outside help was pure hell. !! That is one learning experience I will never forget.

As my case was turned down in court after court, all the way to the US Supreme court, I lost all hope. I outright lost any will to live. Many times I prayed for the Lord to take my life! I really felt there was no need to go on. As the old story goes, I lost my family. Life is only a big deal to the living.!!

One thing for sue, fighting my conviction pro se, I really discovered there is just no thing as justice. Being innocent means nothing,!!

April 11, 1993 a riot broke out in Lucasville. I became a spokesman with high hops of bringing the situation to a peaceful ending.

Telling the story the way it is, don't take me wrong, I am not looking to claim hero status or anything of that nature, but at the onset of that riot I put my very life on the line to get this injured Officer out of the riot. It is in the record. I saved lives in that riot, but you will not hear much about it.

The bottom line is, I was charged with 3 murders and kidnappings.

The powers that be used every dirty trick and pressure tactics to gain a conviction for all the above mentioned crimes.

They had no physical evidence. They had the uncorroborated word of their snitches. Inmates cutting deals and getting away with murder.
All this info is a matter of record.

One would not think that the justice system works like this.

After my conviction of the riot related charges all the records my trial attorney was passed onto my attorneys that would handle my appeal. Please see Exhibit A of this writing. This info could have been most useful in my trial. I had no knowledge such info even existed. Looks to me as if somebody was looking into my original conviction.

Let's take a look at inmate Lavelle. He was one of the prosecutions top snitches. It matters not that you will find tons of proof that Lavelle is guilty of several serious crimes in that riot.

Please see Exhibit B of this writing, transcript page 4047. When a prosecutor threatens somebody like this, "you are either going to be my witness, or I am going to come back and try to kill you" how could a jury believe Lavelle? How can Mr Prosecutor get away with this?

The powers that be came at me trying to get me to snitch. I would not help them. It matters not who committed what crime. If an inmate would snitch and lie for Mr Prosecutor he could get away with murder.

Please see Exhibit C of this writing. Mr Prosecutor admits on record that I had the chance to snitch. See Transcript page 5751. Does this tell the story or what?
I could have been sitting on that witness stand testifying against Lavelle. This whole ordeal is pretty hard to believe. It is hard to believe a prosecutor would admit to such a thing on record. Guess he was pretty sure of himself.

What does a convicted person do when he can prove he did not commit the crime but courts drag their feet on hearing his appeal?

It took 7 long years for the court to render their opinion in my direct appeal.

My post conviction was just ruled on. Of course they turned me down. At least now I can get on to the next court.

It is my opinion that the powers that be plan to wait me out, let me die right here in this rat trap cell. I have been dealing with a medical problem for almost 11 years. They will not tell me the truth about this condition. Over the years I have heard every story they could think of.
Getting any real help is out of the question!!

I suffer with this problem every day. They hope I will die in here soon. That is my opinion. That way they can get rid of a big problem, me!!
They know I am innocent. Most people would think I'm crazy after they rad this, but this is just the way it is. The powers that be will do anything to keep from admitting they are wrong.

If I sound off the wall here, I am very sorry, please forgive me. Nobody can walk through such a hell on earth and come out of it with all his faculties.

This may not be the place to bring this subject up, but it would no doubt help me so much if I could write about a big problem I have.

After going through the fight of my life with my original conviction, I surely lost all hope, I really lost my will to live. It is so hard, if not outright impossible to bounce back. Over the years a couple of people wrote to me only to hear nothing in return. For that I am so very sorry. I really want to get up and do better in the fighting of this injustice. I am just so paralyzed. Nobody would ever believe the head changes, the serious mood swings I go through in this cell because I didn't write and all. No doubt about it, people have to think I didn't care. Please believe me that is not at all the case. What this system, the power people, Mr Prosecutor, the Judge, etc have done to my loved ones as well as myself, it is too hard to live with. This is killing me with the passing of each day. Please don't think that I believe my case is the only case like this!

There is a lot of raw injustice right here on Ohio's death row. We need somebody to really do an honest study of these cases!! The results would blow your mind!

It is a miracle I am writing this!! I want to get up and fight what they have done to all of us. Just writing this makes me feel so good! I really want people to really know and understand me! Kick me! Push me! Make me get up! I need to see something positive come all of this!!

There has been so much done to expose this injustice, but nothing ever happens, at least it seems that way.

These evil power people are so wrong for what they have done to us. Oh, let me speak my mind, please hear my cry for justice!! I really need to see and know there are people who will help us right this wrong!


It is outright insane to know the powers that be gained all these convictions with the use of pressure tactics, bribery and intimidation of inmate witnesses!!

To this very day I have to ask myself, is this really happening? How in the world can this be?

The plea bargain action, if you snitch you can commit murder and get away with it.!! Just check into the Lucasville riot related trials!! You will see this very thing took place. People committed murder that night, and because they snitched, said what Mr Prosecutor wanted them to say, they walked!

Just think of having your whole life wiped out, sitting on death row waiting for the courts to set a date for you to be murdered. This is unreal. Sitting here facing death on the word of some jail house snitch. The uncorroborated word of a jail house snitch.! Is this really justice? Is it okay that the system works like this? If it is, please take me to Lucasville and murder me now.!! I have so had my fill of this evil injustice system!

The thoughts that run through my head, the courts are a joke! They are never wrong!!! They are not about justice. The system protects itself.!!

People such as myself, we come a dime a dozen. Our lives are meaning less to these power people. Every single day I think of how the courts, the judges all have total control of my life. I believe they plan to slow walk my case through all these courts, making me do as much time as possible. I have this medical problem and can't get it taken care of. So the bottom line is, the plan to let me die right here in this rat trap cell. I live with these thoughts!! I am not really crazy! I just fully understand and know how very evil the powers that be are!! My life really means nothing to them.!

I am asking you, all the people that read this, please take me serious!! Please show me that you the people are willing to unite and fight this injustice system!! I need this more than anything! There is just no way that I can go on in this hell hole for years and years to come. I am at my wits end.

It is my dream to see something positive come from this writing!! I want to help others expose their injustices too!! Please just hear my plea. Push me!! Fire me up and bring me out of this rut!! Let's get something done about the way these evil Power people destroy so many lives for their own gain.!!

In closing I will say thank you for hearing me out. Write and help the innocent people in these rat trap prisons.


Utmost Respect



George W Skatzes

#173-501
Man C I
PO Box 788
Mansfield
Ohio 44901


(0) | () | | send green star | flag as inappropriate
Visibility: Everyone
Tags:
Posted: Mar 21, 2008 9:15am
Why I became involved in Campaigning
Mar 21, 2008

Prior to April 1995, I knew little about the death penalty and did not give it much thought. We don't have it here in the UK so it was not an issue for me.

I knew people where executed and I always assumed that they had to have committed crimes worse than any other prisoner.

In April 1995, things changed for me:

British born, Nicholas Lee Ingram was to be executed by the State of Georgia.
Due to him being British this made huge news in the media here in the UK.
We got to see what was happening almost as it happened.

http://www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk/ingram.html
Explains the case and a little of what happened.

However what I witnessed was as Nicholas himself stated.

Ingram received a stay of execution 65 minutes before his execution was originally scheduled on 6 April.

However, according to a sworn affidavit, preparations for the execution continued for over 30 minutes after the stay had been issued. Ingram described the preparations in the affidavit.

Nicky spoke to his attorney and told him what had happened:


"At around 5.30pm last night I was taken from my cell in the hospital section to H-5, the cell by the chair. I had to walk by the chair, which was covered by a sheet.
I was sweating it, because walking by really brought it home.

"Apparently, at 5.55pm my case was stayed but nobody told me. Indeed, at 6.20pm - the time I know because the guards told me - they began to seriously prepare me for execution. It was devoid of humanity, a bunch of sick people who apparently volunteered for the job, acting like I was a lamb for the slaughter.

"They shaved my head with electric shears...They treated me like an animal, and said it was just a job. They had me put on some pants with a cut up leg for where they would attach the electrodes.

"They asked me what I wanted for a last meal. I said I did not want food, but I did want some cigarettes. They said the new policies forbid smoking. The chaplains were there most of the time - even before, when they put a finger up my anus in the strip naked physical exam. They have told me it all starts again at 4pm today with the physical once more, and I am to die tonight."

When Nicholas finally was executed,
almost "live" as it happened, the TV report continued.

I heard the news reader say:

"Ingram has shot back into the chair with a tremendous jolt when the first 2,000 volts surged through his body for four seconds. His fists, which were already clenched, clenched even tighter."

"A second jolt of electricity of 1000 volts is going through Ingram's body," we where told.

"Ingram has had a third bolt of 208 sent through him at 208 volts for two minutes. He remained motionless there with fists clenched until the current was turned off. There were no other sounds, no smoke, no sizzling. It was completely silent."

Later Vicki Gavalas, of the Georgia Department of Corrections, emerged outside of the prison to say:

"The order of the court has been carried out. Nicholas Lee Ingram was pronounced dead at 9.15pm." (0215am British time).

I did not know Mr Ingram, but what had happened to him appalled me so much.

I felt I had to do something to stop this from happening to another human being.

There was an article about Kenny Richey right next to the one reporting on Ingram's case.
I wrote to Kenny asking if there was anything I could do to help.

Originally I was simply fighting the death penalty as a whole. I knew little of Kenny's case.
However, I soon learned that something was very wrong with his conviction.

Kenny's campaign began in 1995. We fought a huge campaign to have Kenny retried. We finally won a retrial, but we knew it would never happen because the State will never want to admit it made a mistake. Kenny was finally granted bail, only it was set at an impossible $10 million. Then out of the blue the prosecutor dropped the major charges and offered a deal and Kenny was finally freed on 7 January 2007. He returned home to Scotland a few days later.

The Internet was an invaluable tool for the campaign.

Because it has meant so many people world-wide could get to learn about Kenny and his terrible situation.

I oppose the use of the death penalty for all people.

It is not necessary to kill someone to prove killing is wrong.
And killing is wrong. All killing including state-sanctioned killing.

Note that...

I have the deepest respect for victims families and of course sympathy for their distress and pain. I have many friends who have had their loved one's murdered, I also have many friends who are pro death penalty.

I still however do not believe the judicial system works when it comes to death penalty cases.

The death penalty does not deter murderers. If that was the case why are death rows not empty?
Why is Texas not the safest State in USA?

I believe after 13 years

...of looking at every aspect of Kenny's case that he was an innocent  man and was convicted of a crime that did not happen.

I also believe that there are many other innocent people sitting in prisons and on death rows.

Including Arthur Tyler and George Skatzes in Ohio. Also John Spirko.

I will continue to fight injustice for a long long time.
(0) | () | | send green star | flag as inappropriate
Visibility: Everyone
Tags: , , , ,
Posted: Mar 21, 2008 7:25am
Justice For Arthur Tyler
Mar 21, 2008

On a winter's evening 23 years ago, at the corner of East 66th Street and Zoeter Avenue in Cleveland, somebody pumped two .38-caliber bullets into the chest of 74-year-old Sanders Leach, killing the produce vendor instantly.



Leroy Head, then 18, confessed almost immediately. Within minutes, he told two friends that he shot the fruit and vegetable man during a robbery, saying the old man forced his hand by trying to pull a gun. Head told his mother he did it, too. She urged him to come clean.

So he told police he did it as well. And he signed a confession.


Cuyahoga County prosecutors, at the time among the most aggressive in Ohio in pursuing the state's newly reinstated option for capital punishment, sought the death penalty. And they got it - adding to what was becoming a bumper crop of death cases from the county during the 1980s.

But it was not Head who was condemned to die.


Just before trial, Head struck a deal with prosecutors and fingered his co-defendant, Arthur Tyler, instead.
And so, in a case that reveals how arbitrary a death sentence in Ohio can be, it's Tyler - not Head - who faces execution, possibly this year

But police found no gun or fingerprints, and no eyewitnesses who could sort out who actually pulled the trigger.
Prosecutors argued that Head's accusation of Tyler was more credible than his earlier confessions. Head was allowed to plead to a lesser charge.

He could be paroled as early as next year, even though he has acknowledged several times since that he was the triggerman after all.

Jurors recommended death for Tyler


On May 16, 1989, Head told attorneys Joanne Bour-Stokes and Richard Vickers that he had lied when he testified at Tyler's trial and that he (Head) killed Leach.  Head said the prosecutors threatened him at Tyler's second trial that if he did not testify he would be tried for capital murder or sent to a less secure prison, with the prosecutor making sure the other inmates knew he was a snitch.             


Arthur ended up with 2 trials, the first ended up being thrown out and if you read the trial transcripts for this trial, you will see why.  They are on http://justiceforarthurtyler.blogspot.com/

In the first trial, the defence attorney called the victim, Sander Leach who was 74 years old, an "old codger".
He was openly racist in his comments.



I am waiting on the second trial transcripts to be added but that was not much better as a trial.

Right now the only thing between the death chamber and Arthur is the Lethal Injection Lawsuit in Ohio. This will be decided by June at the latest and then Arthur will have no where to go without our help.

I need as many people as possible to sign the petition.

Please do this and pass around

Thank you
Karen

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/4/Investigate-the-case-of-Arthur-Tyler
(0) | () | | send green star | flag as inappropriate
Visibility: Everyone
Tags: , , ,
Posted: Mar 21, 2008 6:58am

 
 
 
Content and comments expressed here are the opinions of Care2 users and not necessarily that of Care2.com or its affiliates.

Author

Karen Torley
female, age 46, married, 4 children
Scotland, United Kingdom
Shares by Type:
All (9) | Blog (6) | Alert (3)
ads keep care2 free
SHARES FROM KAREN'S NETWORK
Aug
26
by Dana H.
(1 comments  |  discussions )
The news story that I have added to my shares book is from a dear friend of mine here on care2: Just *C*, With the economy the way it is today, I have to agree- Why isnt this the TOP STORY in the news. We have to fight for our seniors and the disable...
Aug
25
by Dana H.
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Ted Kennedy Dies of Brain Cancer at Age 77 US Politics & Gov't  (tags: Senator Ted Kennedy, brain cancer, death, liberal, sadness, congress ) Dana - 2 minutes ...
Aug
19
by Dana H.
(1 comments  |  discussions )
ACTION ALERT: Stop Beastiality Being Allowed Online And Offline!! ACTION ALERT: Stop Beastiality Being Allowed Online And Offline!! Animals  (tags: ban beastility, horrific animal abuse, animal cruelty,...
(0 comments  |  discussions )
10:43am UK, Wednesday August 19, 2009 Sara Merchant, Sky News reporter Secret cameras hidden inside the elephant tent of the Great British Circus showed animals being hit with a metal hook, a broom and a pitchfork. An undercover investigation by A...
Aug
12
by Dana H.
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Will you please sign my new petition and pass on to all of you friends.  The link is:   http://www.thepetitionsit e.com/49/stop-killing-our -animals---find-another-w ay.   Its three weeks old on Thursday and has 373 signatures so...
Jul
28
by Dana H.
(0 comments  |  discussions )
I have a friend here on Care2 that started this petition when he found out what was going on in Florida regarding beastiality. As of now it is still legal in Florida,. Please copy & paste the link below and sign this petition so that we can make ...
Nov
26
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Check out http://action.wilderness. org/campaign/lionhead Take Action on this Issue: Protect the Lionhead Recommended Wilderness Mountain bike activists are pressuring the Forest Service to drop proposed protections for the stunning Lionhead Recomme...
Nov
25
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Check out http://action.wilderness. org/campaign/ognw05 Say NO to Last-Minute Logging! The federal Bureau of Land Management has just proposed opening thousands of acres of forests in western Oregon to logging. It's a handoff to the timber industr...
Nov
23
(0 comments  |  discussions )
From Take Action: Tell Congress to Support Children's Health!: Representative to co-sponsor the Global Child Survival Act. Tell Congress to Support Children's Health! More than 9 million children under five will die this year -- and every yea...
Nov
5
(1 comments  |  0 discussions )
Wednesday, November 5th, 2008 Friends, Who among us is not at a loss for words? Tears pour out. Tears of joy. Tears of relief. A stunning, whopping landslide of hope in a time of deep despair. In a nation that was founded on genocide and then buil...

Copyright © 2009 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved