Monday, May 18, 2009

A Forensics Charlatan Gets Caught in the Act: Video from a defense attorney's sting exposes Mississippi bite-mark "expert" Michael West. - Reason Magazine

A Forensics Charlatan Gets Caught in the Act: Video from a defense attorney's sting exposes Mississippi bite-mark "expert" Michael West. - Reason Magazine

Thank you Radley Balko for continuing to stay on this story!

Is Reasonable Doubt still what we expect in this Country and this State?

"Thomas said the woman was saying that she would have to be 100 % certain about Bennett's actions before she could vote for the death penalty. Thomas said that was a higher standard than the law required to impose the death penalty."


Okay, folks, I take issue with this statement! I realize it's a couple of years old BUT this case is being reviewed and we need to let our concerns about this be heard!!!


Full article is here:
"http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/ncadp/news.jsp?key=2434&t=">NCADP - The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty">">

If I'm not mistaken, when a person is NOT 100% sure then that is called reasonable doubt and therefore based on our law a person can NOT be found guilty much less sentenced to a punishment of death! Just my opinion but here again is another example of what seems to be Injustice in Mississippi!

Again, who's accountable and when are we, the citizens of this state going to step up and do something? It starts with one person and I've been blogging about this issue, more specifically with regard to the problems in the prisons but I've come across so much that happens during the trial and before trial. I've made some contacts outside of Mississippi with people who are trying to bring this issue to light but why are there not more people who LIVE in our state not taking action. This is our state and we pay the salaries for these individuals who are not acting in the best interest of the citizens of this state; are we going to sit back and say this is okay?

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Once again, WHO is accountable?

I've sent e-mails, made phone calls requesting information and I am so tired of hearing or receiving an e-mail that says "I'm forwarding your concerns to...."!!!! Can somebody, anybody, please tell me who at MDOC, CMCF or any other state prison facility is accountable to the state of Mississippi and more importantly, to the citizens that pay their salaries so they can have jobs? Who they are accountable to? Staff at CMCF is so rude, staff at MDOC is extremely rude and nobody wants to buck up and address concerns! Yet, they still have jobs and we still allow them to treat the citizens that pay their salaries and our loved ones like dirt on their feet. You see, I've come to the conclusion that DOC and staff don't just view inmates as "nothings", they view the family and friends of inmates as "nothings" too. Even head honcho, Mr. Epps himself passes the buck 99.9% of the time. Besides delegating, what exactly is his job? Who at DOC is willing to do their job? Aren't we entitled as taxpayers to see those job descriptions?

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

The Ice Machine is fixed!

Well, after months of calling and e-mailing, finally the ice machine is fixed in the visitation area at CMCF. The alleged part that was on back-order since December arrived and I think it only took about a month to get it repaired. Yet another subject of irritation for me. Another issue that our tax dollars are paying that isn't getting done properly. You see, the maintenance for this equipment is contracted and my concern is under what contract is it acceptable for a part to be on back-order and a piece of equipment to be in a non-working capacity for 5 months. It is my opinion that this is completely unacceptable.

Still Pushing Forward

Well, things continue to rock on here in "our" world. We keep making calls, keep digging and talking to people, and seeking assistance! The MDOC and CMCF never cease to amaze me with the policy of how they do things. Depending on what day you call and who you talk to determines the policy. And talk about passing the buck. I've gotten more responses to e-mails of "I'm passing this to...."; no one at that facility wants to do their job or anyone else's job; no one wants to hold those responsible (and I use that term loosely) accountable for doing their job. And yes, that is our tax dollars hard at work.

Information continues to emerge about Drs. Hayne and West. Sometimes I feel like I'm walking around in a haze of shock because I can't believe that this is really happening. Yet, I wake up each day and realize it is all very real. It is very real for Thalia, her 3 children, her friends, her family. And it is very real for so many other people who are wrongly convicted. Not only that, but even those who are serving time for crimes they committed, it is very real. The injustice of our so called "justice being served" is very real. The families that are impacted and the lack of concern for those families by our state and state employees is very real. The dis-respect shown to citizens of this state by employees paid by our tax dollars is very real. Again, it is all very shocking to me; my eyes are wide open now and sometimes I wish they weren't.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Had to delete Thalia's detailed story

Sorry but the details had to be deleted off Thalia's blog due to the ongoing investigation.