Innocent but wrongly imprisoned | Filed under Wednesday’s Wonderings, General
It is another day in our lives, may your day be full of many things bright and beautiful, and may you have the awareness and presence of mind to notice and appreciate all of those things. I started this post this way because you and I have had these days while many others do not.
I am ANGRY actually PISSED as once again here in Georgia an innocent man served 22 years of his 44 years in prison for a crime he did not do.
It was around 10 PM while President Bush was giving his State of the Union address that Willie O. “Pete” Williams walked out of the Fulton County jail a free man. I wonder is there irony in the timing here? Just call me Ms. Suspicious at times and this might be one of those times. Someone needs to be suspicious when innocent men have been serving time for crimes they did not commit. This happens more times than most are aware. Mr. Williams was the sixth here in Georgia to have gained their freedom using DNA to prove they were innocent of a crime they had been SO WRONGLY imprisoned for.
Here in Georgia, several things have been done to prevent innocent people from serving a significant portion of their lives in prison for crimes they did not commit. One step was taken here when a bill was passed and signed into law which allows a new trial if the identity of the defendant was an issue at the trial, if reliable evidence can be extracted from existing evidence, if it is reasonable to believe results of DNA testing would have affected the trial’s outcome and if the evidence was not previously tested.
This law enhances confidence in the judicial system and ensures that the right person is in jail for these serious violent crimes.
In August 2002, Georgia joined the innocence movement that is sweeping our nation through creation of the Georgia Innocence Project. It has been through this project that three of the six men have been freed. I encourage you to know more about this nonprofit organization by going here.
They are dedicated to helping individuals who have been convicted of crimes they did not commit. The Project works to secure post-conviction DNA testing for Georgia inmates where DNA analysis could prove guilt or innocence and adequate DNA testing was not available at trial.
Since its inception, GIP has received more than 2600 letters requesting assistance. Each request is carefully reviewed to determine if the case meets our requirements. Our rigorous screening process includes a complete review of the case and all relevant documents. If the case meets GIP’s strict scrutiny and there is DNA evidence available to test, we accept representation of the case and begin litigating the issues. At the time the article was written that I was reading, the Georgia Innocence Project has accepted eleven clients.
In August 2004, The Georgia Innocence Project’s work exonerated Clarence Harrison, a man who had been sentenced to life in prison for rape, robbery and kidnapping and who had been behind bars for nearly 18 years. In 2005, the Georgia General Assembly awarded Mr. Harrison $1 million in compensation for his wrongful imprisonment.
In December 2005, Atlanta native Robert Clark was freed from prison after serving nearly 25 years for a crime he did not commit. Mr. Clark’s exoneration was a joint effort between the Georgia Innocence Project and the original Innocence Project, based in New York.
Last night for the first time in 22 years Willie O. “Pete” Williams spent the night in his family’s home. DNA test results conducted through the efforts of the Georgia Innocence Project (GIP) proved that Williams, 44, did not commit the rape of which he was convicted in 1985.
Williams now awaits a hearing in Fulton County Superior Court which will officially exonerate him of that crime. The hearing is expected in the next two weeks.
Is the worst behind Mr. Williams, NO of course not? Now begins the really hard part for him. How does one go from living the life of no freedom to rebuilding when one has spent half his life behind BARS with very hardened criminals?
One of the many things he will have going for him is the GIP here does not just secure a guilty man his freedom, the do more. A Life After Exoneration program for newly-exonerated inmates is provided to help them rebuild their life.
Even with all this, they will need the support of many people to begin returning to a normal life. I question will their life ever be normal? No of course not.
So when you are thinking of it as another day in your lives, and your day is full of many things bright and beautiful, then I want YOU to have the awareness and presence of mind to notice and appreciate all of those things. There are many innocent people behind bars that do not have this ability.
We are experiencing difficult times with the war in Iraq going on and so much attention is being focused on it but what about the things right here at home we need to spend time on. The last several weeks I have started to look and I see so much that is being left behind and going unnoticed.
I am waking up and looking around—Yes Same Woman, New Beginnings.
Your thoughts, talk to me I know you have some.
January 24th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
That is utterly sickening; 22 years is a lifetime. Innocent people are being punished while the guilty run free to do more crime. The program is awesome and I hope many more innocent are freed.
I cannot imagine how awful it is to be tried and convicted of something I did not do; it was bad enough getting in trouble for something minor my siblings did. Yes, I’ve got it good.
Great post, Vickie. *HUUGS* Love you for being you and for standing up for others.
January 24th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
P.S. In response to your comment on my photo today; you need to come visit and I’ll take you there. I wanted to stay all day and could have for longer. In fact, I’d love to have a house right there.
January 24th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
I am really glad that DNA testing has been developed, I am sad that for some people it was too late, how many people I wonder were imprisoned falsely because there was no DNA testing at one time? But even if its late, and some have lost years of their lives I am glad that now there is SOMETHING being done to prove their innocence once and for all. No, there lives will never be the same again, but I am glad these men were exonerated.
Oh, and just to let you know, I have a new blog, come and check it out.
http://embracingtomorrow.blogspot.com/
January 24th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
The rape victim identified him as the rapist, it’s always a difficult situation.
I don’t know the circumstances of that case, but I am very happy to hear that he was exonerated.
There is no way our justice system will ever be correct all the time, in every situation. This is why I most vehemently oppose the death penalty, there is no going back after you kill someone.
January 24th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
I just read John Grisham’s “The Innocent Man”, a tale of a man not far from here who ended up on death row for a crime he didn’t commit. It’s a good read and really exposes what can happen when police and prosecutors look for convictions and not for justice.
January 24th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
22 years in jail and innocent. How does one ever get over that? I can’t imagine it.
January 24th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
With half his lifetime spent with hardened criminals in such a hostile environment it is indeed hard to picture his life ever being normal in fact if he turns out to be a “manufactured” criminal who would be surprised?
January 24th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
I was thinking the same thing when I heard his story. Even with constant counselling, I have to wonder how many years IF EVER it will take him to adjust. Poor, poor man. Great post, Ms. Vickie.
And, yes there are SO many things that need attention right here in our country!
January 25th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Here is something else you might not know.
The govt has begun releasing prisoners that they think might be able to get out because of DNA testing to avoid paying them for their incarceration.
Most prisoners are happy to get out and don’t persue the case any more because one, it costs them money out of their pocket to take it to court and they dont have it and they are happy to be out they dont bother.
All this is the fault of the system for not having enough judges and DAs so they push fpor quick trials and innocent people get lost in the system.
Not only do they take and lock up a innocent person but they change them.
They turm them into an animal to live in the jungle they were dropped in then release them back into society after a long period of time without being allowed to adjust to life outside of the jungle.
Great Post. Keep em coming
January 25th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Unreal. The system isn’t for justice anymore, it’s for fast convictions. I can’t imagine what I would feel in a situation like that. It’s going to take a long time for these people to adjust to a relatively “normal” life.
January 25th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Thanks for stopping by my blog. You’re Ms. Vickie, right? Did there used to be some pastoral scene here of an old southern mansion? Hope I’m in the right place.
Don’t you kinda wonder how police came upon this suspect in the first place? Did he have a police record? Was he known to have committed similar crimes? For every innocent man who ever spent time in prison, there are a hundred times that many guilty who are not behind bars.
Ironically, one of the lawyers who is prominently involved with the innocence project was one of the lead attorneys in the OJ Simpson case. Talk about justice gone awry.
January 25th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
I just heard today that a new suspect has been arrested in the Atlanta child murders. Evidently the man convicted - Wayne Williams is now considered innocent. Of course he’s still in jail. The new investigators say unless and until there’s a conviction - that’s right where he’ll stay. Imagine that. This man has to hope that someone else will get convicted of the crimes he’s in prison for before he can even contemplate freedom. This despite the new sheriff and investigators saying they believe in his innocence - that white supremacists may have been involved. God. All these years and the real murderers have remained free. Kinda makes you sick – doesn’t it?
January 25th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
That scenario is so common in the state of Texas,as well as all over the U.S.,and it is SO sad.I spent 4 and a half years in TDC (our Texas Injustice System),and everyday in prison felt like 4 days rolled up in one.I KNOW I deserved my sentence.Truth be known,I could have gotten longer than a 4 1/2 year stay in the state penetentiary.I also did my time mostly on a maximum security,and it sucked…but what makes it so hard for the people that are innocent,is they get shuffled down to the bottom of the paperwork stack,so-to-speak,because of SO SO many people that are NOT innocent,but try their best to prove they are.I promise you..when I would walk the grounds,I was in maintenance as my TDC job,but I would talk to alot of people,and I’d swear at least 98-99% of the people you talk to say “I DIDN’T DO IT”.I got to the point to where I would want to say “let me guess….you didn’t do it,right”? and I have to tell you…that b.s. got old.Or some would say crap like…”yea,I was IN the crack house when it got busted,but I wasn’t smoking crack”.Awww,c’mon,I would say.But that is exactly what makes it so hard for the truly innocent people that are trying to get an appeal,having to deal with so many of the one’s that DO belong there.
I’m not proud,nor am I ashamed that I had to do my time.But I have to admit….I was long over-do.I hurt my kids, my family and friends,all because of my selfish partying ways,and should have been sent up the river sooner without so many slaps on the wrist.It’s REALLY had a terrible affect on getting a decent job now though,because background checks are killing me.I’m offered the best positions,but KNOW when that background check comes back,I may as well hit the door.
Not only the inmate does the time though,ya know? So do the people that love you as well.That’s another thing that sometimes people don’t consider when they make someone lose YEARS of their lives locked down.It takes a toll on everyone,and even compensation can’t give back those years.
January 25th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
As if my comment wasn’t long enough….I have to agree with Peter.If you go in prison with basically a clean wholesome trusting person….it’s guaranteed you are gona leave FOREVER changed.It’s inevitable.All you hear is dope dope dope.I seen alot of young smart innocent type girls turn to lesbianism and have to buck up and become hardened,or get walked all over,and it’s sad.Here is an example: My cubicle was across from a girl that was 22 years old,smart,pretty,had some college behind her,and was told by someone at school that she could make a quick $5,000 if she just ran this cocaine to La from Houston in a rental car,and that was it..she would make that fast money.Simple.Well…she knew better of course,but she got nervous when she got pulled over by a Highway Patrol,and long story short,was given 15 years State time.It should have been Fed time,but wasn’t for some reason.Anyways…she told me setting down her bags that she was just gona do her time and stay away from the b.s. and lesbianism ,etc…when I left she was in lockdown for cutting someone over her affair w/ another stud-broad.
I have a ton of sad stories,seeing so many good girls go bad….but for the innocent one’s to have to be subjected to such crap burns my ass to no end.
Nuff said,I suppose.
touchy subject for me :-}
January 26th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Blessings of love and joy and peace and love.
Love Jeanne ^j^
January 26th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
I was aware of the New York program. I am happy that innocent people are being released. It is sad they had to spend so long in jail before being freed.
Thank you for posting this.
Hugssssss
love Raggedy
January 27th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
It is nice to see you posting again, Ms. Vicki, and thanks for your visit & kind words on my site. You are the one who is truely an inspiration.
This issue is one that needs to be addressed in all states and it sure shows why the death penalty should NEVER be used unless there is absolutely no doubt about guilt. That would be a little hard for them to reverse.