Pure Report Newsletter Issue 4

8/6/2019 Pure Report Newsletter Issue 4

1/20

P.U.R.E. REPORT

NEWSLETTER

http://pure-report.moonfruit.comISSUE 4 - JUNE 2011 $2.00

True Knowledgecan break through the

boundary

of our Ignorance,

and allow the mind to

achieve

Great success


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P.U.R.E. REPORT NEWSLETTER

The P.U.R.E Report Staff

KAMAU P. EMERSON - Editor

ERIC CATHEY - Distribution Assistant.

KAMAU P. EMERSON - State Correspondent.

HOWARD GUIDRY - Nation Correspondent.

WILLIE T TROTTIE - Legal Correspondent.

TONY MEDINA - Staff Writer.

MOYO NURU - Staff Writer.

SANDIE BLANTON - Co- Editor.

Guest Contributing Writers

for this Issue

Preston HughesAnthony Doyle

Anthony Francois

Charles Chucky MamouMilton Gobert

Luis Ramirez. R.I.P

http://pure-report.moonfruit.com

My genuine gratitude I give to each of you for your support andcontributions, Indeed, they are profoundly appreciated. Now if youwill allow me to continue the writing of this editorial with a quote

from Barack Obamas commencement address at Knox college. Thethen U.S Senator stated:One by one, abolitionists emerged to tell their fellow

Americans that this would NOT be our place in history.

That this was NOT the America that had captured the

imagination of so many around the worldNow that particular passage was pertaining to those Brave men andwomen who stood up and fought for the abolishment of slavery.However I believe that Mr Obamas statement is also (and Indeedshould be) The state of mind of every person that morally understand,that having the death penalty In our society is wrong. Of course forthose who are undecided about their stance concerning the death

penalty, its natural for you to resist the thought, urge, or even desire

to stand up and fight for a person convicted of capital murder. Forthey themselves quite possibly have committed what we may believeto be the ultimate sinful act.

However, at the same time, let us be reminded of the words of Jesuswhen he addresses the crowd that condemned the adulteress, wherein its written he said : you without sin cast the first stoneEssentially Jesus was saying that we all are no different than theperson thats being condemned. Now Im not saying we shouldexcuse murderous behavior or treat it lightly, but what I am saying, isthat we should not be so quick to condone the taking of a life. Nowperhaps taking a stance against the Death penalty createsapprehension in your heart, or maybe you are still not convinced that

its a good idea to do so. Then bear this important fact in mind.The gift of life is a precious and sacred blessing that is more valuablethan anything on earth. And its a gift thats irreplaceable.

Furthermore, with the fact that our judicial system is flawed bycorruption, greed, racial bias, and a multitude of other errors, itsmore than likely that the execution of Innocent people have alreadyoccurred. And that alone should be reason enough to stand upagainst the injustice the death penalty presents. Now I could go onand list the statistics on various areas and give a variety of legalreason why capital punishment needs to be abolished. But I will notdo that at this time. Because I want the focus to remain on thehumanity aspect of things. Especially since in America, the main

stream media have a tendency to make us view the men and womanon death row as less than human. But the fact is, whether innocent orguilty, those incarcerated on the row are human just like you. Theyare men and women, with family, friends and loved ones. They arealso people who have dreams, spiritual beliefs, character flaws, fears,the ability to love and possessing the capability to change. So whenthe state sanction murder of these human beings occur, not only is thegift of life destroyed but a profound devastation transpires in the livesof those who loved those men and women. My friends, we live in agreat nation and the perpetual cycle of legalized assassination shouldnot be part of the legacy we leave behind as a testimony of history.So if you are ready to be like the brave abolitionist of old, then take astance. Get involved in a community organization against the death

penalty. Also contact your State Representative and let your voice beheard, that capital punishment should be abolished. Because theworld is watching people, and its time for a change.

Editors Introduction

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE

We the people are no longer enslaved,but the credit does not belong to the framers.

It belongs to those who refusedto acquiesce in outdated notions of Liberty

Justice and Equality, and who strivedto better them ..

By Thurgood Marshall


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THE P.U.R.E. REPORT NEWSLETTERIssue 4June 2011 $2.00----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this second segment of Innocence revealed, our interview session is focused on Preston Hughes III, and at forty five, Prestonwho is slightly over weight and wears glasses bears more of a resemblance to a college professor rather than a convicted felon.Now within this interview this outspoken East coast Native shared with us some rather startling insight about the circumstancesconcerning his case. So let us reveal to you exactly what transpired.

The P.U.R.E REPORT: Greetings of solidarity and peace Preston. I do hope your day has been well.

PRESTON HUGHES III: Greetings of solidarity and peace to you also my brother. Yes my day has been going well

considering the unfortunate circumstances. I hope all is well with you and your family.

The P.U.R.E REPORT: My family and loved ones are blessed, so thank you for your well wishes concerning them. Now

Im sincerely glad you could join the P.U.R.E report for this interview on our special segment of Revealing claims of

Innocence. Its absolutely appreciated.

PRESTON HUGHES III I am very happy to be here today to give this interview.

The P.U.R.E REPORT: Now Preston, I like to begin these interviews by giving our readers some history on the

interviewee, that way the reader will gain a better understanding of that person. Now if you will, please give us some

insight on your life and who you are?

PRESTON HUGHES III.Im a single African American man, 45 years of age from Buffalo, New York, I moved to HoustonTexas, after I finished high school in June of 1983. I was 17 at the time. Im a very easy going, fun loving and hard working

person, unfortunatelyIm caught up in a fight to save my life regain my freedom.

The P.U.R.E. REPORT: Would you be so kind to share with us the circumstances surrounding your arrest?

PRESTON HUGHES III: Yes I was arrested on Tuesday, September 27th

1988 at 4:30 A.M. I was wrongly accused of

allegedly committing the stabbing deaths of two people on September 26th

1988. The victims were a fifteen year old girl and her

three year old male cousin.

The P,U.R.E.REPORT: What made you a suspect in this crime?

PRESTON HUGHES III According to the Police the girl allegedly called the name Preston before she died. I was arrestedbecause my first name is Preston (also) because I knew the female victim and lived in the area where they were attacked. But

still none of this amounted to enough probable cause to arrest me without a warrant.

The P.U.R.E. REPORT: Can you recall precisely where were you during the time the crime was apparently committed?

PRESTON HUGHES III. The victims were last seen by the female friend of the female victim around 9:00pm on September26

th1988. At that time I was on a bus that I boarded down town at 8:45.p.m to take me home.

The P.U.R.E.REPORT: So before that bus ride, what were you doing?

PRESTON HUGHES III.I had been drinking after work with a couple of co-workers and a former co-worker.

The P.U.R.E. REPORT: Did these people you were drinking with make any kind of verification to the police that you

were with them and had left at the time you claimed?

PRESTON HUGHES III Yes they testified at my trial that it was true.

The P.U.R.E. REPORT: So you boarded the bus at 8:45 p.m and the victims were murdered at 9:00pm. Thats a fifteen

minute time gap. So can you please tell us what were you doing during that time period?

PRESTON HUGHES III I fell asleep on the bus and my oversleeping made me miss my stop and I was taken to the end of the

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWRevealing Claims of Innocence

Part 2


4/20

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWRevealing Claims of Innocence

Part 2

continued from page 3

The P.U.R.E. REPORT: And what time did you get home?

PRESTON HUGHES IIII got home at 10:30 p.m.

The P.U.R.E.REPORT: Let us talk a bit about this bus driver. Did he testify at your trial that you were in fact riding his

bus.?

PRESTON HUGHES IIIHe didnt testify at my trial.

The P.U.R.E. REPORT: Preston. This bus driver was your proof to verify your whereabouts. Why did he not testify at

your trial?

PRESTON HUGHES III The bus driver testimony was given on my Voir Dire in April of 1989. And this was while we were in

the process of picking the jury.

The P.U.R.E REPORT: Such testimony should not have been presented during Voir Dire, what was the reason for doingthis?

PRESTON HUGHES III. Judging from the fact someone instructed the courts reporter to alter the testimony of the bus driver,

It was apparently done to make it appear as though he testified that the bus left earlier, so it appears that I got to the end of the

route earlier than the time he and I stated to, and that was done in order to make it appear as though I got home earlier than the

time I actually stated, and please note, the Prosecutions statement of facts were also altered to make it appear, as though the bus

driver testified during my trial in May of 1989!

The P.U.R.E. REPORT: Preston it is appalling to know that these State Officials emplayed such devious tactics to secure aconviction.

PRESTON HUGHES III Yes it is.

The P.U.R.E. REPORT: In Texas, it appears that the court system has a history of denying bail, or they impose an

excessive amount of bail on indigent people, and these are peo0ple that have been arrested on a capital murder offense, soplease tell us, did this occur with you?

PRESTON HUGHES III. I dont know whether it was due to the nature of the crime Ive been wrongly accused of or not. But

es, I was denied bail.

The P.U.R.E REPORT: While being held in the Harris County Jail, did you endeavor to pursue your constitutional right

to a speedy trial?

PRESTON HUGHES III. Unfortunately I didnt exercise my right to pursue a speedy trial. However I was taken to trial seven

months after I was arrested and the trial itself was speedy.

The P.U.R.E. REPORT: How long did your trial last? a week? two maybe?

PRESTON HUGHES III I was wrongly convicted on the third day of trial, and on the fourth day I was sentenced to death.

The P.U.R.E REPORT: During your captivity in the county jail, exactly what avenues did you try to use or whom did youcontact to explain that you had nothing to do with this crime.?

PRESTON HUGHES IIII wrote to then Chief Lee P. Brown of the Houston Police Department, and I even contacted the trial

court Judge months before the pre-trial motion hearings.

The P.U.R.E. REPORT: What did you say in those letters?

PRESTON HUGHES III. In my letter I detailed what happened to me at the time or rather from the time the arresting officercame to my apartment. He was accompanied by other H.P.D officers during the early morning hours of September 27

th1988. I

mention how the police had illegally searched my apartment while I was there. And how I watched officers go back to illegally


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P.U.R.E REPORT NEWSLETTER


6/20


7/20

This interview will continue in Issue 5.

Preston Hughes III #000939

Polunsky Unit. D/row3872 FM 350 South,

Livingston,Texas 77351

USA


8/20

MY CONTEMPLATIONON

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

A

For years Lawmakers have justified the application of Capitalpunishment as being a deterrent to crime. But in my opinion,the truth of the matter is, these representatives believe that if aperson commits murder, then their lives should be forfeited in

return. So if the death penalty bears any evidence of being adeterrent to crime, its only because once you are dead youspecifically can no longer commit a crime.

The problem with this eye for an eye Justice is that the

people handing down these death sentence, either fail torealize or simply dont care that the people they condemn arehuman too Just like themselves, these human beings arecapable of change if or when they are given the opportunity.So where is that opportunity if you kill them? Furthermore,even utilize capital punishment in a flawed system creates avery dangerous possibility, that not only will constitutionalrights be violated, but there is also the horrible chance that an

innocent person will get executed. In fact, many may havealready been legally murdered.

Now Ive been on death row since I was 19. Im 26 years old

now. I was condemned on May 11 th, 2004. There, I waslabeled a menace and regarded as a future danger in society.And this ultimate judgment was decided by a jury of 12

people 12 people who were suppose to be my peers, but I

had never met them before So I wondered, if these peopledont know me, how can they honestly give a righteous

judgment of my character? As a person who has no priorfelonies or any violent offenses on my record, I oftenwondered: How was I considered a future danger to society?

You can not see into the future, so how can you determinewhether a person will commit more crimes? Within thisflawed justice system our lives are placed in the hands ofpeople who make their decision to condemn our lives off aprobability. Which is the equivalent of guessing. Something

probable is not definite but believe me its a definitely a provefact that people can change. However the chance to change isnot given when the death penalty is applied. Now I know thatthere are consequences for breaking the law. But how can youpunish murder with murder? No matter how anyone may tryto classify it, the fact of the matter is murder is wrong!

I often think about the Stephen King book I read called the

Green Mile In there the character John Coffee was amentally challenge and innocent man who was condemned todeath, and although that story was fictional, it however is agenuine reflection of the same thing that is happening inTexas today. Now granted, there may be individuals who arefalsely claiming their innocence. But there too are some trulyinnocent people in prison as well as on death row, and theseinnocent people are being help captive in prison facilitiesthroughout America. But not only are they being robbed oftheir liberty, here in Texas, cases with actual claims ofinnocence are often denied.

So it is time to step up our efforts and make a change.Because after an innocent person is strapped to a gurney,being pumped full of lethal chemicals, it is too late to say to apersons family: were sorry We didnt realize he was

Now in closing, I direct my focus briefly on thosecitizens who are supporters of capital punishmentQuite often those who believe in the death penalty do sowithout knowing certain facts concerning things. So I

pose a question to those citizens who supports or simplybelieve in capital punishment. Do you know how muchof your tax dollars are being used to carry out the trial,housing and execution of a death row prisoner? TheDallas morning news showed that the average cost of aTexas death penalty case is $2.3 million versus $750,000for a life term in prison. Furthermore, studies have shownthat the ultimate cost of prosecution of a death penaltycase, coupled with defending the subsequent appeals, ismuch higher than a non-death penalty case.

So from an economical aspect, its illogical to support abarbaric practice thats putting an unnecessary financial

strain on an already shaky economy. And on a moresocial stand point, what if a family member or loved onewas falsely convicted and sentenced to death?

Not likely to happen?

Well, 138 exonerations off death row prisoners haveoccurred nationwide (and 12 of them are from Texas),and the same flawed judicial system that convicted andsentence these people to death, still exist. So this Judicialweb of injustice is capable of entangling anyone. NowIm not against the death penalty because Im on death

row. Im against the death penalty because taking the life

of any human being is wrong.

Hopefully one day capital punishment will be abolished.And we as a society will never reinstate it. And may thatday come soon. Because not only will it save my life, itmay very well save the life of someone you know andlove.Guest ContributorAnthony Doyle

ANTHONY DOYLE 999478Polunsky Unit. D/row3872 FM 350 South,


USA


9/20

Women Around the World

Initially I wrote this expression of my heart as a means of illustrating my regret in order to rectifymy abusive waysagainst all Black women, and it was also an attempt to reconcile with my people.

But this aching in my heart wouldnt allow me to deny the fact that women of all races have been abused by men like me.So I deeply apologise to all of you women who have suffered abuse, and I hope that my writing this will be able to bring theclosure that you seek and the comfort that you deserve.

Now I know what I express many may not accept. Even I have wondered how can I give comfort to anyone, when I forone have not attained comfort.

But Im a wretched soul, one that may not even deserve to be comfort. My tears of pain, may not mean anything to youbecause of the pain Ive caused. Nevertheless with my knowing that Ive caused so much pain, it has me sitting here in prison onDeath row, drowing in a ocean of pain, profoundly regretting what Ive done. I have no desire to gain anything, I merely wish togive as much as I can in reparation for what Ive done. And yes perhaps for some it is hard to believe that my foul actions havetormented me, but they have and I continue to suffer from the storm of my past deeds, whos lightning flast within my ind toilluinate the grotesque scene I committedon the morning of September 11th 2003.

In the beginning of my storm, I was angry and my mind was clouded in confusion. I didnt want to accept theresponsibility for the awful deed I committed. It took time, understanding came slow, and now that the rain has passed, the rays ofsunshine cleared my mind and the damage I done was clearly seen. And because of what Ive done, Im seen as a monster in theeyes of society. But despite this monstrous act. Im human! I am made of flesh and blood,just like any other human being. Im a

person who values the loyalty of an individuals word more than that of love. Because love can be a flickering emotion. Yes I ama man, but Im a man that is guilty of a terrible sin, a forbidden act against God and his creation. What I done was indeed aterrible violation, a horrible crime against all of humanity.

And Im profoundly sorry that Ive committed such an atrocity. It is my nature to speak openly what I feel, so all that Isay comes from deep within,so I have no agenda or hidden motice in my reason for writing this. But the world must know thatIm sincerely apologizing for all the harm that Ive caused. And God knows that I wish with all of my heart that I could turn backthe hands of time, because I desire genuinely to undo the bad things that were done. But I can not. So I utilize these words toapologize to each of you, to every female that has been hurt by a man like me, I say to you Im sorry and to those three preciousyoung Princess whos life I cut short. To you I too apologize, I want so much to be able to bring the three of you back. I waswrong for preventing you all from reaching your full potential to become the beautiful Black Queens you were suppose to be.

3 Children, 3 sisters, 3 daughters, 3 relatives, 3 girls, 3 mothers, 3 women, 3 generations I sadly ended duringa rapture ofanger.

I am a wretched soul. One that has ran from himself with an endeavor to escape from himself, and during my running Ifound it more comfortable to live a lie. And at times I believed my debt could be paid should I surrender myself to die

So while suicide hovered before me. I ran, but my running only led to one finding himself weary, trapped and lonely stillmy running continued that is until I found myself falling at the heels of my feet. I fell to my knees and looked up to face the

back of me I searched myself inside and out. I was trying to salvage anything worthy that was left of me. There was none Icould find. Now there was a piece of my mind that reminded me of the good I did do within my life, but that quickly outweighedand enshrouded by the bad. So I found myself completely saturated with guilt and when I gave further search of myself, I found abroken heart, I discovered human being with a conscience. Yes I found charity, and I also found the deepest apology that the heartcould give. So it is with genuine and my most profound sincerity that I again apologize to the women around the world for all thepain and suffering you have endured by men like me.

But most of all I apologize for the deaths I caused to those three precious little girls.Im sorry

Guest contributor

Anthony Francois

Anthony Francois 999482Polunsky Unit. D/row3872 FM 350 South,



10/20

ONE DAY CHICKEN.

THE NEXT DAY CHICKEN FEATHERS!

Back in the day, my Dad would pour himself a glass ofhis favorite Brandy (Christian Brothers) and wouldalways respond to peoples inquiries about his well being

by saying:

One day chicken, the next day you get chicken feathersHis risible motto was always attractive to my mind. Itwasnt until I began to get older that I completelyunderstood what he meant. Like that famous Almondcandy bar commercial back in the 80s that had that

famous hook:Some days I feel like a nut, some days I dont

I feel like this a lot of my time here on Texas Death row.If you are feasting on cooked chickens then your life iswell, however if all you have to eat is chicken feathersthen Life is unpleasant. In any event its still chicken.Life is still life, no matter who shed tears of pain or those

who reverberates joys of laughter. We should except thegood with the bad, because its the balance of the order

that makes life complete. For every Angus Og, there is aMedusa. It sounds good, Huh?

Easier said than done, of course sounds alone neverpaints a picture on its own. To think so would be fatuity.For example: Take the sounds of Texas Death Row. Atthe moment its quiet-as if everyone here is content andat peace. For anyone who has direct dealings with TexasDeath row would know that peace is highly flumadiddle,misleading to the core. But what about the balance of the

order? Sounds good.Since 2008 the dealings on Texas Death rows order

has been out of order. The administration that overseasTexas Death row has become callous, ruling with an ironfist, while ignoring all safeguards and policies that issuppose to keep a balance here for Inmates and Officers.The property of Inmates and Items of value are oftenstolen by [Particular] employees of T.D.C.J. bogusdisciplinary cases are being [enforced] to purposelymessing with Inmates to take their level one status awayfrom them. And this results in the denial of Inmatesvisits, their commissary privileges and other penal rights.

Some Inmates deal with mental and at times brutalphysical abuse. E.g. visualize a handcuffed inmate who isrestrained, while being punched and jumped on by a teamof six or seven padded officers. How do you justify that?How can you ask anyone to have a sense of peace whenhe is surrounded by violence and its not the allegecriminals administering it? Sure we can pray, advocate,march or even sing spiritual songs, but what does any ofit mean if our hearts isnt really in it?

I love chicken. I just hate chicken served with feathersattached to it. The ebb and flow of our environment herein Texas is just like that:

And Im not even talking about foods nor eating. Im

taking about ones sanity and how can one maintain

sane. See Im Innocent. In fact, after reading several

other cases, I believe many others on Death Row are

innocent or unjustifiably sentenced and should havenever been on death row. Innocent men and womenlacks patience and nothing can ever change that norreplace the years we lost. We remain a malcontentpeople. We may smile, laugh and appear to be ingood spirits at visits (Day of Chicken) but once wereturn to the gloomy and filthy germ infestedenvironment, dread returns (The taste of feathers)..[of course] I want to be happy, I really do, but I cannot be happy when Im not sure what happiness

entails anymore, it is just mendacious rhetoric, orpassive formalities? Ive tried rational emotive

therapy and it dont seem to work for me, Ivemeditated, reading and fasting-none suits me. Sowhat do it mean to be happy?

Death rows warden is a short man. He suffers fromNapoleon complex and has some caked up insecurityissues. He always has a need to prove himself to hisinner self. So when asked about happiness he hadthese choice words to say:

If I was Texas Governor I would be happy. And

If I was Governor I would execute every death

row Inmate on the same day, Thats Texas

Justice. That would make me truly happyWhat about the incarcerated Innocent? or thementally retarded? or even the appeals due process?

and what about Legal Morality? When I was askedwhat I thought of the gauchely wardens comments,all I could say was:One day chicken The next day chicken Feathers

Guest Contributor:Charles Chucky Mamou.

Charles Mamou 999333


Livingston


11/20

The Price of DeathI knew a man once, when I had first arrived to the place known as Death Row in Huntsville, Texas on that

clear day in September 1996. Some after I was settled I got to know this man, who spent all his time reading 16 thCentury texts from the old Aztec days. One day he told me that he was on death row for being a it man. Heexplained that he met a man in a bar that offered him $500 to kill this man.. In the process it had spent close to$2-million dollars!

The death penalty in the U.S is an outrageously expensive and wasteful program that has no clear benefits. TheNations police chiefs rank the death penalty LAST in their priorities for effective crime prevention. They aresaying clearly, the death penalty DOES NOT prevent crime. Fact is, for that same almost $2 million Texas spentkilling ONE MAN, they could have hired 2 qualified police officers at $40,000 a year and employed both ofthem for 20 years .

In light of the economic crisis plaguing the U.S. many states who employ the death penalty have commissionedstudies to examine the death and its effectiveness versus its cost to communities. Police Chief JAMES ABBOT

of West Orange, New Jersey served on a commission that reviewed that states death penalty and which in the end

recommended that the New Jersey abolish its death penalty. Chief ABBOT was quoted saying I NO LONGERBELIEVE THAT YOU CAN FIX THE DEATH PENALTY. I LEARNED THAT THE DEATH PENALTYTHROWS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS DOWN THE DRAIN MONEY THAT I COULD BE PUTTINGDIRECTLY TO WORK FIGHTING CRIME EVERYDAY...

We are at a point in history where every state in the United States is being forced to cut hundreds of millions ofdollars from their budgets. Where are these cash-strapped states taking that money from?, from the salaries ofTeachers who educate out our youth, from afternoon school programs that help keep children off the streets,from substance abuse programs that aim to help addicts, from prison education courses, and from LawEnforcement operating budgets. How can this benefit anyone? California alone is spending $137 million per yearon the death penalty, yet has not had an execution in 4 years. Florida is spending almost $51 million a year on itsdeath penalty. One study shows that in Maryland, over a 20 year period where 5 executions have been carried

out, they have spent $186 million on the death penalty.. The numbers and facts are staggering. How manyabused mothers and children could be helped with that money? How many police officers could be hired to fightcrime with that money? How many prisoners up for parole could be taught valuable job skills that would helpsteer them away from future crime with programs financed by that money?

The Truth is, states continue to waste HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS on their dysfunctional deathpenalty systems, if the death penalty was replaced with Life with-out parole, California would save over $125million a year, money desperately needed there.

So, what is the price of death? As so many studies have shown, the price of killing just one person with the deathpenalty can be anywhere between 2 & 3 million dollars. Which states like Texas which has over 300 inmates ondeath row or California who has over 600, the price of maintaining their death penalty systems has been the

future of our childrens education and the safety of our communities.

Written by Tony Medina(staff writer)

TONY MEDINA 999204Polunsky Unit. D/row3872 FM 350 South,

Livingston

Texas 77351U.S.A


12/20

Legal Section

Artwork By Tony Medina 999204

In the Legal section in this issue, comprises of:

No Equal Justice for all - By Milton Gobert. (Conclusion from Issue 3)

The Illusion of Equitable JusticeBy Eric Cathey


13/2013

No Equal Justice for all(conclusion from Issue 3)

Now the decision congress made to pay more (of Tax

payers money) for inadequate capital defense attorneysonly make economic sense because identifying andvindicating constitutional error is in itself extremelycostly.

But better lawyers will raise more issues, Investigateand litigate more aggression. Which may requireresentencing, retrials, or in very rare cases, it may meanthat a guilty man would go free, yet they would Identifywhat is more costly. However congress was willing topay more for inadequate attorneys in order to avoidthose costs economically and socially. Broadlyspeaking, the Supreme Courts right to counsel

jurisprudence has had much of the same effect ascongress decision to defund the resource centers. If thecourt required better lawyers for the indigent citizen, itwould cost society not only in terms of the resourcesnecessary to pay those lawyers, but also in terms of thecosts of fully enforcing a criminal defendantsconstitutional rights.

You see, better lawyers would mean more hard foughttrials, more evidence thrown out due to constitutionalviolations, fewer convictions, more acquittals, and morehung juries. As ex president of Harvard University,Dereck Bok candidly acknowledged:

If congress provided enough funds for legal aid or if

congress agreed to offer the same support to legal defendants

as it gives the prosecution. It could easily touch off of a burst

of litigation that would cost huge sums of money and add

heavily to the delays of the legal system

An adversary system in which both sides are evenlymatched costs more than a system in which the

prosecutions resources overwhelms the defense. Anddespite our surface commitment to equality before theLaw, apparently neither society nor the Court is willingto require anything like an even playing field. Thepresent system of assigning indigent defendants poorlyfunded, over burden and very often under qualifieddefense attorneys saves money in two ways. First: Itreduces the direct cost of providing a decent defense,Second: But definitely more significant it systematicallyendeavors to inadequately enforce the constitutionalrights of the indigent accused.

If one were looking for a mechanism to reduce the

cost of constitutional rights without weakeningrights that that protect the privileged. Then one coulddo no better than ensuring, that the poor,systematically receive less competent legalrepresentation, than the rich. By denying the pooradequate lawyers (and then holding their lawyersmistakes against them) will guarantee that we willnever have to pay full cost for their constitutionalrights (which we are suppose to protect).

But we achieve those savings by diluting theprotection of constitutional rights when we only givecompetent counsel to those who can afford it. Theappointed counsel system creates an across the boarddouble standard. As the O.J Simpson trial, illustratedthe inequality created by the ability to hirecompetent counsel is predicated, on class, Not Race..but because most minority defendants are poor andbecause Blacks and Latinos disproportionately findthemselves as criminal defendants, this class baseddisparity also falls heavy on the minoritycommunities.

The right to counsel is in theory the Linchpin ofequality in the criminal justice system. However inreality, differences in the quality of legal assistanceavailable to the rich and poor, probably play themost significant systemic role in maintaining adouble standard in criminal justice.

Guest contributorMilton Gobert

Milton Gobert 999554



U.S.A


14/20

14

THE ILLUSION OF EQUITABLE

JUSTICEThe term Justice is Blind has always been something many of us

desire to be true. For none of us want to believe that a country asadvanced as ours, really possesses flaws in its criminal court system.Furthermore many of us have embraced the fact that its ourconstitutional right to have a fair and impartial trial. Hell, ourforefathers died in wars and worked as slaves through blood, sweatand tears to build this country, so we damn well better have one,right?However I must ask of you to ponder on this:What if the scheme of having a fair trial doesnt truly exist?Because if we were to look up the word fair in a dictionary, itsmeaning will elucidate it as being:

Honest

Just

Unbiased

EquitableObjectiveAnd several other names to associate it withrighteousness. But our court system with its due process of lawmerely illustrates an illusion of equitable justice. For indeed, it is arather difficult endeavor to ensure that any one will obtain a fair trial.Supposedly, this is why the safe guard of having appeals wereestablished. Yet if our society has evolved to the point where wehave achieved this fairness in our court system, then why, may Iask,do our appeal process exist? I mean, doesnt this illustrate ablatant mistrust in our own capabilities as jurors, lawyers, judges andprosecutors, to be honorable in our sworn duties?

Maybe it does.. And perhaps it should! Because many of times, (ifwe believe it or not) preconceive notions (of certain things) exist

within our state of mind. For example: How many times, while at themall, have you seen a small congregation of black youth (wearing hiphop attire) and wondered if they would start any trouble? and whatabout the tall white guy with the long hair, dark shades, and leather

jacket? or the Mexican fellow with all the tattoos covering his arms?These guys have to be in some sort of gang, right? Or how about thelady who wears the tight pants and blouse that clearly enunciates herfigure? Is she really an easy catch looking for attention? Maybe ormaybe not But its so easy for us to be misled, by our reconcilablenotions, because many of us hold them to be true. Our society, insome form of fashion (whether through movies, newspapers, music,magazines, or propaganda being promoted by our peers) haveinfluence and condition our minds to accept these half-truths. Andwhen a juror takes his/her position in court, they may have no

intention of being biased. But subconsciously, these suggestions havealready been activated, especially if we believe those stereotypicallabels that have been placed on certain people in our society. And thisin turn will create a portion of unfairness in a criminal trial, becauseit leads a jury to focus more on the defendant, which may influencethem to make an attempt to analyze that persons emotional state.

But what does that have to do with the evidence being presented atthe trial? Especially when a defense attorney has instructed his clientto relax and remain calm and try not to show many emotions.I

believe that a jurys concentration must remain on the evidencebeing presented in order to truly judge the totally of it all.

One should never be distracted from his/her set judgment of

that course. Because a juror, for that period of time, has beengranted the authority to aid in altering the course of a personsdestiny by a single verdict. And if we have a prosecutor whomanipulates the emotions of a jury, by displaying unnecessarygrotesque photographs of the deceased or performing a re-enactment of what allegedly occurred at a crime scene, atactic of this nature will undoubtedly inflame the minds ofthe jury. And is quite capable of being a subliminal form ofprompting which will guide a jury into reacting emotionallyrather than logically as they prepare for deliberation.ImpossibleThats absurdYoure crazy .. is what some may consider ones point of viewwithin this article..But the fact remains that tactics like those

I mention are being used. So now the question is..Are thesetactics necessary? however before answering that, allow meto ask you this.If the prosecution has unlimited access tostates funds to investigate and prosecute their casethen whyuse such a play on a jury? Perhaps its because districtattorneys themselves are not immune to preconceive notions.

There are many defendants whose reputation or past deedswere very criminally orientated, and if the D.As actions showsthat they believe a persons law-breaking behavior, on someunrelated offense, suggest that this defendant is probably guiltyof the current crime as well, then their duty to pursue justicehas been compromise. For no longer are they seeking to findthe actual perpetrator but now are more concerned on gathering

any evidence that they can use to persuade the jury of hatpersons guilt. So where is the fairness in that? Now even ifwe persist in saying that our appeal process is required toensure that the guidelines of the law are being followed..Still ithas to be asked, what good is that process when certainsegments of our judicial courts display a strong predispositionin ruling in the states favor because of their bias on a

particular issue? Mainly death penalty cases. Therefore itsnecessary for us to determine whether this claim of fairness ismerely an illusion established to convince us that it exist? Or isit an actual reality? perhaps it can be. For all things arepossible. But we will have to make a conscious effort to freeour mind of all preconceive notions.

byEric Cathey

Eric Cathey 999228Polunsky Unit

3872 FM 350 SouthLivingston

Texas 77351

U.S.A


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15

Poetry SectionPUSHI strain for one more push

Striving for perfection

The pain will never cease

Marking my progression.

Fatigue setting in

Never will I falter

heart pumping faster

body getting stronger

Sweat across my brow

running down my face

refusing to give in

picking up the pace

Physical Intensity

mental stimulation

absorbing the pain

use it as motivation.

Pushing to the limit

searching for the end

pushing even farther

never giving in

ByAnthony Doyle

999478

ANTHONY DOYLE 999478Polunsky Unit. D/row3872 FM 350 South,


USA

A HAIL TO THE GHETTO CHILDREN

Bombarded by the cultivation

to ensnare a phantom destiny

of a parents dream lost

to the adversity of change.

Now Precious Angels of a cradles caressare forgotten, as the wrath of heaven

cast out its rebellious demons

Alone upon a road with no legacyto call their own.

The Ghetto children are driven

toward the enticement of white Queens

Pink castles and all the American Dreams

Draped up and dripped out

The acquirement of Ghetto fabulous clout

is that truly what its all about?NO!

Its a mere reflection of a dreamthat was never meant

for the Mothers and Fathers of creation

now the mass enslavementand Genocide by means of incarceration

is a predestine abortion of unborn babies

which means the death of a nation..

So Rise up all of you Kings and Queens of the earth

Now turn 360 degrees to fulfillthe sum of your true worth

Endeavor to understand the past

to comprehend the future.

For you are the future

so dear children lead with pride!

ByEric Cathey

Eric Cathey 999228Polunsky Unit D/row3872 FM 350 South

LivingstonTexas 77351

U.S.A


16/20

16

Time takes away the edge of griefBut Memory turns back every leaf

Gone from our lives one so dear

But in our hearts forever near.


17/20

17

Whats in the Brown Paper BagWritten by Luis Ramirez

Luis Ramirez was murdered by Lethal Injection in the State of Texas on October 20th

, 2005.

===============================================================

Im about to share with you a story whos telling is longover due. Its a familiar story to those on death row who

may read this. But its now one that all of you in the

FREE WORLD may benefit from. This is the story of

my first day on the row..

Now I came here in May of 1999. But the exact date issomething I cant recall.. However I do remember

arriving in the afternoon. I was placed in a cell on H-20wing over at the Ellis unit in Huntsville Texas. A tsunamiof emotions and thoughts were going through my mind at

the time. I remember the only things in the cell were amattress, pillow, a couple of sheets, a pillow case, a roll oftoilet paper, and a blanket. And I also remember howutterly lost I felt sitting there. The first person I met therewas Napolean Beasley. Back then Death row prisonersstill worked. His job aat the time was to clean up the wingand help serve during meal time. He was walking aroundsweeping the pid in these ridiculous looking rubber boots.He came up to the bars of my cell and asked me if I wasnew.. I told him that I had just arrived on death row.

He asked what my name was. So I told him. Not seeingany harm in it. Beasley then stepped back where he could

see all three tiers. He then hollered at everyone:

Theres a new man here, he just drove up, his name is

Luis Ramirez

When he did that I didnt know what to make of it at first.

I thought I had made some kind of mistake. You see, likemost of you, I was of the impression that everyone ondeath row was evil. I thought I would find hundreds ofHANNIBAL LECTERS in here. And now, they all

knew my name. I thought: Oh well, thats strike one. Iwas sure that they would soon begin harassing me. This iswhat happens in the movies after all

Well thats not what happened.

After supper was served. Napolean was once againsweeping the floors, as he passed my cell, he swept abrown paper bag into it. So I asked him: whats this? Hereplied that it was for me, then told me to look inside thencontinued on his way

Man! I didnt know what to expect!

I was certain it was something bad! but curiosity didget the best of me though. So I carefully opened thebag. And what I found was the last thing I everexpected to find on death row.

It was everything I needed. The bag contained somestamps, envelopes, note pads, pen, soap, shampoo,toothpaste, tooth brush, a pastry, a soda, and a coupleof ramen noodles. I remember asking Napolean:where this come from? He told me that everyonehad pitched in, and that they knew I didnt have

anything. And that it may be a while before I couldget anything. I asked him to find out who hadcontributed. Because I wanted to pay them back.

Napolean said: its not like that. Just remember thenext time you see someone come here like you youpitch in something!

I sat there on my bunk with my brown paper bag ofgoodies, and thought about what had just happened tome. The last thing I expected to find on death row waskindness and generosity. I thought of how manytimes I had seen good people of the world, pass by

some man, woman, or child holding a sign that read:Hungry or will work for food I am guilty of

doing the same. I just passed them by. By the end ofthe block, or upon reaching my destination. That poorhungry, tattered, and perhaps dirty soul had beenforgotten lost among my daily challenges and

struggles with life.

Yet here on Death Row among the worst of the worst.I didnt have to hold up a sign, they knew what I

needed, and they took it upon themselves to meetthose needs. They did this for a stranger, not a nowfriend. I dont know what they felt when they

committed this act of incredible kindness. I onlyknow that like them, twelve good people had

deemed me beyond redemption.

The only remedy these Good people could offer usis death. Somehow what these good people saw andwhat I was seeing didnt add up.

(continued on page 18)


18/20

18

Continued from Page 17 - Whats in the Brown Paper Bag

How could these men, who just showed me so muchhumanity, be considered the worst of the worst?

It chills me to my core when I think about it. Those twelvegood people were given this enormous God like

responsibility. They had to decide who lives and who dies.

The State of Texas gave them this responsibility.. Howeverthey didnt give them any God like training..Im sure that

they all meant well, they probably thought as the D.A andJudge told them, that they were doing their Civic duty. Ipersonally have never considered murder a civic duty.

That aside, how many times have we gotten this wrong? Imon the inside looking out now. I have that advantage overyou. So I can tell you this. I have yet to meet a man here whoI feel is beyond redemption. It you took a good look and I

invite you to do that, You may just realize how often youhave been wrong. Ever since Napolean was executed ( for acrime he committed as a teen) Ive wanted to share this story

with his family. But Ive never been able to locate anyone

with their contact information. If anyone out there can sharethis with them, I would appreciate it very much. I would likefor them to know that their son was a good man. One who Iwill never forget. I want for them to know how sorry I amthat we as a society failed then and Napolean.

I still find it ridiculous that we as a people feel that wecannot teach or love our young properly. Im appalled at the

idea that a teen is beyond redemption, and that the onlysolution that we can offer is death.

Its Tragic that this is being pointed out to the Good peopleby one of the worst of the worst God help us all

Whats in the Brown Paper Bag?

I found caring, kindness, love, humanity, and compassion ofa scale that Ive never seen the good people in the

Freeworld show towards one another.

WRITTEN BY LUIS RAMIREZ. R.I.P

REST IN PEACE LUIS RAMIREZ

Executed October 2005.


19/20

19

PENDING EXECUTIONS

==========================================================

JUNE

1 Gayland Bradford Texas

14 Shawn Hawkins Ohio

14 Carey Dean Moore Nebraska

15 John Balentine Texas

16 Lee Andrew Taylor Texas

16 Eddie Powell Alabama

21 Milton Mathis Texas

22 Frank Williams Jr. Arkansas

JULY

7 Humberto Leal Texas

12 Marcel Williams Arkansas

19 Kenneth Smith Ohio

20 Mark Stroman Texas

AUGUST

16 Brett Hartman Ohio

30 Ivan Cantu Texas

2012

JANUARY

18 Charles Lorraine Ohio

FEBRUARY

22 Michael Webb Ohio

SEPTEMBER

13 Joel Schmeiderer Tennessee

20 Billy Slagle Ohio

27 David Jordan Tennessee

OCTOBER

4 John Henretta Tennessee

11 H-R Hester Tennessee

18 Joseph Murphy Ohio

NOVEMBER

15 Reginald Brooks Ohio


20/20

ERIC CATHEY

Eric Cathey 999228Polunsky Unit. D/row3872 FM 350 South

Livingston

Texas 77351U.S.A

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Pure Report Newsletter Issue 4