Cry Justice Now News

Summer 2014 Volume 4, Issue 3 Wrongly convicted Seattle man released after 10 years A wrongly convicted Seattle unconscious. The victim said sworn statements admitting man who spent 10 years in as many as eight attackers their involvement and deny- Benefits after Incarcera- prison after being convicted beat him for more than 10 ing that Olebar was present tion: Pg.2 of robbery and burglary has minutes and he recognized during the attack. Working been released. Brandon Ole- Olebar’s sister as one of with attorney Fernanda What happens to those bar was released from prison them. The victim later identi- Torres, they presented the wrongly convicted once after the Innocence Project fied Olebar from a photo new evidence to Mark Lar- they are freed? Pg.4 Northwest persuaded King montage. Despite the fact son, the King County chief A Kid In Prison Pg.5 County prosecutors to re- that he did not have a facial criminal deputy prosecutor. examine his conviction, tattoo and had an alibi, Ole- After interviewing the same Testimony & Spiritual which was based solely on bar was charged with burgla- people, Satterberg’s office Journey Pg.6 eyewitness testimony, Two ry and robbery. A King Coun- moved to vacate the convic- Larry Rice Sermon Pg.8 students from the Innocence ty jury convicted him solely tion and dismissed the Project Northwest, which is on the basis of eyewitness charges. Olebar, 30, was based at the University of testimony and sentenced him released “Eyewitness misi- Washington Law School, to 16 1/2 years in prison, ac- dentification is the single pulled together evidence that cording to an Innocence Pro- greatest cause of wrongful Olebar was not among the ject statement. Project Direc- convictions,” IPNW Policy people who in February 2003 tor Jacqueline McMurtrie said Director Lara Zarowsky said. broke into the home of his the two law students tracked sister’s boyfriend and pistol- down and interviewed three Please whipped and beat the man of the assailants, who signed Send All Let- Wrongly convicted Georgia man released after 12 years in prison ters And Sub- David Peralta, 36, from But the men later de- prosecutors reopened Georgia has been re- nied seeing Peralta at the investigation that scriptions leased from prison af- the scene, saying they the charges against his ter serving 12 years for had identified him in a client were finally For Cry Justice a murder that prosecu- police lineup only be- dropped Eric Burton, a Now News tors now concede he cause they had seen spokesman for the did not commit. Peralta him in a bar earlier DeKalb County District To was convicted in 2001 that night. Also, two of Attorney's office, said of the drive-by shooting Peralta's fellow prison the charges were dis- P.O. Box 197 that killed his girl- inmates who told in- missed because friend, Rebecca Moore. vestigators he had con- "through subsequent New Bloom- Police arrested Peralta fessed to the murder investigation, it was after two men riding in later recanted or re- concluded that Peralta field, the car with Moore at fused to repeat the was not guilty of the MO.65063- the time of the gang- statement. "It was only crime and that the vic- related incident identi- after Peralta won a new tim was fired upon by a 0197 fied him as the shooter. trial on appeal and rival gang. Benefits after Incarceration: What You Need To Know

Individuals released from  Your child who is un- incarceration may be eli- der age 18, or severely gible for Social Security disabled before age 22, retirement, survivors, or Your wife who is age 62 if or disability benefits or older, or is caring for you have worked or paid your child who is under age 16 or severely disa- into Social Security bled before age 22. enough years If you believe you qualify, call our toll-free tele- or Supplemental Securi- phone number, 1-800- ty Income benefits if you 772-1213 to schedule an are 65 or older, or are appointment. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, blind, or have a disability call TTY 1-800-325-0778. and have little or no in- Art By: Inmate at NC. State come and resources. We consider you disabled under Social Security Here’s Help Network rules if: Free Subscription  You cannot do work Advertisement Heading that you did before; The Cry Justice Now News is FREE to all inmates. If you would  like to receive this newsletter at no charge to you, just fill out We decide that you and return this coupon to Cry Justice Now and we will add your cannot adjust to other name to our mailing list. You will receive our newsletter each time it is published. work because of your medical condition (s); and “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good Your disability has lasted news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery or is expected to last for of sight for blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s at least one year or to favor” (Luke 4:18-19). Mail to: Cry Justice Now result in death. P.O. Box 197 SSA does not pay partial New Bloomfield, MO 65063-0197 or short-term disability benefits. If you meet the above NAME requirements, Social Se- ADDRESS curity benefits also may pay:

Page 2 Cry Justice Now News NLEC Web Site’s NLEC Mission: The mission of New to be set free from the cycle of pov- g ) gives you the opportunity to Life Evangelistic Center (NLEC) is to erty through training in broadcast- watch Renewable Energy programs provide Christian hospitality and ing, while providing wholesome fam- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. respect for life through the services ily, community and inspirational Missouri Renewable Energy which of food, clothing, shelter, education, programming. Here’s Help Network and job training programs, as well (www.hereshelpnet.org) provide training in renewable ener- as physical, mental, and spiritual gies like solar, wind, bio-diesel mi- health care, to the poor and home- cro-hydro and gasification, dome less in St. Louis and beyond. homes, and there’s more. ( www.newlifeevangelisticcenter.or It offers information on renewable g) energy classes, free fairs and the Missouri Renewable Energy mem- Larry Rice Ministries for Worship Services, Prayer Request, Sermons bership. The Renewable Energy and Studies at Programs can also be viewed on (www.larryriceministries.org) KNLC D-TV 24.2. American Renewable Energy website The Missouri Renewable Energy Here’s Help Radio & TV Network, ( www.americanrenewableenergy.or website( www.moreenergy.org ) which helps the poor and homeless

WHAT CAN A LETTER MEAN TO A PRISONER?

You will never just a dream as I thing’s fine…a few Letters are above all know what a letter come to my sens- small words to useful as a means of can mean until es. Then I look out ease my expressing the ideal you have been the window and mind. Kind words, self ; and no other where I am, or still see the fenc- well wishes just method of seen what I’ve es. knowing you’re communication is seen. there, anything for quite so good for I’m confined to a I make it somehow me, to show this purpose. In world behind four throughout the me you care. letters we can walls where no whole reform without one can see me day, waiting for You never will practice, beg and I receive no mail call, but none know what a letter without humiliation, snip and shape calls. for me they say… can mean, until embarrassing not a letter, a note, you’ve been where experiences to the Often I sleep and or even a card. I’ve been, or seen measure of our own awaken alarmed When nobody what I’ve seen desires… thinking that my writes, times really family, loved ones seem hard. or friends may be By: Anonymous ~Elizabeth harmed. Just a little word or Hardwick I Thank God it’s two to say every-

Volume 4, Issue 3 Page 3 Story of Wrongful Conviction from California Arthur Carmona, arrest. They could not identify him at holes in the case and eyewitnesses Convicted of armed robbery, 2 counts, first, but when police asked Arthur to recanted their testimony, On Au- and convicted in1998, sentence to12 put on the cap and a jacket, witnesses gust 22nd, 2000, an Orange Coun- years and released in 2000 after serving made the identification. Two hours ty Superior Court considered the 2 years. after the two robberies he was arrest- overwhelming evidence that Car- ed. Tried as an adult, was convicted mona had been wrongfully convict- In 1998 a 16 year old student was walk- and sentenced to 12 years based ed of both crimes and ordered his ing to a friend's house when he noticed largely on the witness statements. release with the agreement of the a helicopter circling directly above him. DA, but only after a stipulation that From the beginning, Arthur maintained he would not sue them or the po- Seconds later, he was stopped at gun- his innocence. Family members and point by police. Arthur was not wearing lice. supporters started a campaign for his dark clothing or a cap, according to the release, and began raising money. A Arthur was murdered in 2008 while complaint. Witnesses to both robberies Weekly and Los Angeles Times col- leaving a party with friends. were brought to the scene of Arthur's umnist, Dana Parsons began poking

What happens to those wrongfully convicted once they are freed? 27 states offer restitution – the rest just say “oops…sorry”

The story of Robert Dewey, a 31 year with forensics testing); was not eligible lease. Today, Mr. Dewey is looking at

old man when he was arrested and con- for unemployment because his earning $1.2 million in a settlement as a re-

victed of the rape and murder of 19 year years were spent behind bars; left pris- sult of a new law now in place that

old, Jacie Taylor, in Palisade, CO, in on with a back injury that prevented was inspired, in part, by his ordeal. - 1994 . He received a sentence of “life” in him from doing many jobs and needed Lawmakers in Colorado made aware

prison in 1996. Dewey’s post conviction surgery to remove metal rods and plates of the case through publicity and the

attorney, Danyel Joffe, and The Innocence that a prison surgeon put in his work of The Innocence Project as

Project worked to secure exoneration spine; had no income or job and limited well as testimony by Mr. Dew- from all charges questioning the evidence skills [he went in when computers were ey wrote and passed a law giving used against him – evidence destroyed, barely out of DOS and pagers were the compensation to wrongly convicted

mishandled and test results dubiously tether to the planet. Today it is cell citizen. Mr. Dewey is the first ever to

reported by “experts”. On April 30, 2012, phones (and texting) that are the ties receive compensation under the new

Robert Dewey was exonerated. Robert that bind – along with Windows 8, law just signed by Governor Hick

Dewey was freed, finally, from the prison IPods, Notebooks]; had to search for a (Hickenlooper) this year. The new

cell, in which he lived for over 6,000 days. job while carrying a prison record that law includes a formula that allows

In April, 2012, Mr. Dewey, newly re- stays on his reports; had to depend on for compensation of $70,000 to

leased, was now 51; never received food stamps and donations from indi- $100,000 (cap) for each year served

a “rehabilitation” plan in prison provided viduals who learned of his plight. Robert in prison. Mr. Dewey got the full for prisoners with lesser sentences since, was looking at a struggle. In Colorado $100,000 for every year. A little

even though he was innocent, had been there was no compensation program in justice after 17 years of injustice …

given a “Life” sentence – no job training place for those wrongfully convicted being kept in prison, with little hope, - or “Skills” training in prison; had no op- men and women who are later released. for what looked like a lifetime, con-

tion for a civil case against the court be- There is no re integration program into victed of crimes he didn’t commit. It

cause there was no prosecutorial miscon- society. Colorado, like 23 other states won’t make up for 17 + years lost but

duct (though there are questions of in- basically said, “Sorry” and called it a it might just make his life easier, his

competence and manipulation of evi- wash. Since his release, Robert Dewey future more secure. Something Mr. dence by the police and the those charged has been living in poverty since his re- Dewey sorely needed. Page 4 Cry Justice Now News A Kid in Prison

I am an ex con who raised in church and if I turn my life over to spent 8 and 1/2 years would love to go, but, it Christ, I would not have behind bars. I went in at would be a sign of weak- to worry about it, well he 18 years old and I have ness. The minister looked was right. The relation- seen allot of bad things, at me and said, being a ship that a person can but I have seen allot of Christian any where, but develop with God, while good things. I was re- especially here is not a locked up is awesome. I leased and after a year of sign of weakness. I said have been free for 17 getting adjusted to the what if someone tries to years now and have re- outside, I put my heart force you to have sex, he ceived my Doctorates into what I needed to do. said, "I would do the and own my own home I started out with a lot of same thing that you and its payed for. I said problems and hang-ups. would do... I would lay all this to say one thing... One day I met a church them out right on the THERE IS ALWAYS group and got to talking floor with whatever was HOPE. to them. I told them I was handy. Then he said that

How the System Here’s Help Network Works Here’s “People think Help they’re free in KBIY 91.3 FM Van Buren, MO ~ KKLL 1100 AM Webb City/ this country, Radio Joplin, MO ~ KKLO 1410 AM Leavenworth, KS ~ KMRF 1510 AM Don’t kid your- Marshfield, MO ~ KNLG 90.3 FM New Bloomfield, MO ~ KNLH self. This is a Network 89.5 FM Cedar Hill, MO ~ KNLN 90.9 AM Vienna, MO ~ KNLP police state. The 89.7 FM Potosi, MO ~ KNLQ 91.9 FM Cuba, MO ~ WINU 870 government can AM Shelbyville, IL pretty much do whatever it Advertisement Heading wants.” TUNE IN TO THE STATION - Dr. Advertisement Heading Steven J. Hatfill CLOSEST TO YOU! When the Bill of Rights was added to the U.S. Constitution, its authors clearly OUTSTANDING FAMILY intended to protect the rights of persons ac- PROGRAMMING 24-HOURS EACH DAY cused of crime. Those simply stated protec- tions have been continuously eroded over the We feature the Slim & Zella Mae Cox past 200 years. For each interpretive appellate Show with the finest in old-time South-

decision that attempts to even the playing field, Stations Christian ern Gospel music.

there are five more that steepen the grade. Our Your Hometown For the best in Southern Gospel, Christian Country and Contemporary concern has turned from seeking truth to seek- Christian music the Here’s Help Radio Network is the place for you! ing convictions, and our post-conviction efforts are focused on denying any further review.

Volume 4, Issue 3 Page 5

Testimony My name is Richard Surguine. I am a locked position. When I showed the draw- serving a life sentence in the Department of ing to one of my brothers in the ministry, he Correction for a crime that I can never pay asked me (W.W. J.D.) what would Jesus for. However, the good news is that my do? Jesus would unlock that pad lock! I best friend “Jesus” paid the price for me definitely stood in agreement about what Jesus would do. So I decided to redraw that when He wore that crown of thorns to Cal- pad lock in a “Freedom Position”.

vary’s Cross. If you are having trouble over a When I received “Jesus” as Lord of fleshly desire in your life, I recommend that Lords over my life, my life sentence became you start each day off one hour earlier than an eternal life sentence! Praise God! I now normal, and spend it with Jesus in prayer and enjoy an inner peace that surpasses all un- bible study. This will give you something to derstanding! Although I used to be addicted think about throughout the day. You might to drugs, I now have victory in “Jesus”! I also want to devote as much time as possible have been born again and I don’t even de- to serve the Lord in ministry. Ministry is an sire that old lifestyle any longer. Praise the action word. It means to “go”. There is a Lord! plan and a purpose for your personal minis- Even from inside the prison sys- try. Pray to your Heavenly Father and He tem, God is able to find ways to utilize the will show you what you can do! talents that He gave me. I designed and painted the logo for the “Locked Down For God Bless You! The Lord Prison Ministries Inc. In the first Go With God! rough draft of the logo, I had the pad lock in

Spiritual Journey Prior to getting saved, I grew up going to doing so, God has blessed me; I grow church with my family, but after church, I deeper into God's Word and love daily. would do what I wanted to do. Pleasing my Before I would get revenge on those who own flesh, this life I lived led me to prison. did me wrong, but now I leave it all to God. In prison, I went to church, but after ser- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and vice, I went back to my cell to do what I lean not on your own understanding.” wanted to do. Proverbs 3:5 (NIV) While I was in prison, I was told about Ker- When you trust in the Lord with all your yx—a four-day Christian walk with the heart, you will start to see the Lord doing a Lord. After this weekend filled with the change in your life, and not lean on your love of the Lord, I turned to Christ. I saw own understanding. What you think is right not only that my life hurt the family I loved, may not be God's way, so before you lean but I needed to put to death my flesh. on your own understanding, seek the Lord. After my Keryx walk, I started to follow He is the Light of this world, and he will not Christ. This was a true blessing. I would steer you wrong. serve the Lord by helping others. I used

my spiritual gifts of helps and giving. In By: Greg

Page 6 Cry Justice Now News Only Memories As I lay here in the dark, between these prison walls I could not escape, a drug habit I could Sometime has gone by, released I would think about you and my tears not break from those walls would fall Ashamed, deranged and full of fear Now your dead and gone, I live with All I could think about was me being here only memories You were the sun that shines, an en- and tears that fall couraging thought Overwhelmed by depression, in great wish I could have been there with you despair So, learn from your past, the expe- while the Cancer you fought Feeling sorry for myself, thinking, "this is rience you go through not fair" You never know when a loved one You prayed over each one, but me, I will pass was not there "How did I get here"?, "What did I do"? and you can't say "I Love You"! I was behind those walls, with a life I Your fighting for your life and I am stuck could not bear here without you : By: Angela

The Lord on My Mind

What a wonderful way the Lord’s mercy and moments my faith in to start the day protection, Him will not die. with the Lord on my I do not have to feel I know hardships will mind. abandon because of His end at His appointed He removes my fears love and affection. time, when obstacles appear When I’m at my lowest but when I become too or when a mountain is point, I will always con- weary, I just keep the too tall to climb. tinue to try, Lord on my mind! I do not fret because of even during my darkest

I am 32 years of age and have been fight this addiction for 15 years. I have learnt that there is more to life than just getting high.

The Road I Choose From the day I had you, you bong. choose this path, made me free. This new road is hard and I wish you luck, it will be The more I had you, the long I'm sure, hard. more I could flee. That old road I took will be Think about today, don't Since that day I kept you no more. worry about tomorrow, close, It's time to change the way I Day by day you will leave Now it's time, you should be lived, that sorrow. a ghost. I have so much I want to You ran my life for so long, give. Art By: Tim Steler Escaping myself in that So for all of you who By: Inmate John Joccoli

Volume 4, Issue 3 Page 7 Experiencing Emotional Healing

Dear Friends,

Like waves lapping at a shore, generations of abuse tend to follow one another. Each generation trapping the next in the emotional bondage of bitterness, anger and unhappiness. As a result untold thousands walk around angry at their parents or someone else who have mistreated them in their past. Their lives are confused, their emotions crushed, and their ability to help others who are in need destroyed. Those experiencing such are in need of an emotional healing that only Christ can give.

Perhaps you feel your parents or someone else in your past plucked away at your emotions and self- esteem, feather by feather, until you stood naked and defenseless in the world. All that is left is the emotional turmoil of depression, fear, and anger living in an unforgiving heart. As a result, sadness is kept locked behind the door of your life. Many choose to bury their anger out of fear that it will become a raging fire, burning out of control. Yet anger has to go somewhere. As a result it may seep out into our daily environment like illegally dumped toxic waste, in the form of depression, substance abuse, promiscuity or spurts of inappropriate rage or dreams of wild revenge. For many who have been mistreated, anger is their first name while blame is their second name.

The time has come to stop denying the hurt and then, once acknowledging it, stop blaming others for it. Take a break before you break. Every rip in the fabric of a relationship needs the binding of God's love. Such a binding involves making the "quantum leap" where, like an electron aimlessly circling the nucleus of resent- ment, we receive a new burst of energy which thrusts us around the nucleus of God's love. This spiritual quan- tum law is summed up in Galatians 5:13-15 which says, "The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be de- stroyed by each other." Revolving around the nucleus of bitterness causes such destruction. Receiving the en- ergy of Christ's love, provided by His death and resurrection, results in the life and liberty that comes from the healing of the emotions of hurt and resentment.

Jesus has come to heal us emotionally as well as physically and spiritually. May we abide in that heal- ing daily. For truly Jesus has come to set the captives free. This means we don’t have to be controlled by our emotions but that through the power of our Resurrected Lord we can control them.

Page 8 Cry Justice Now News Here’s Help Network

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"A BIRD IN A PRISON CAGE!"

This story was written while I was behind the walls in Jackson Prison, Michigan, and before I gave my life to Christ.

I once was free as a leaves rustle. You can who watches him play bird, able to go wher- hear the birds sing in in that cage. ever I felt. But like the trees. Then you Someday I will be free that bird, once put in hear a noise and wake and my children will a cage the freedom up only to find that say "will you do this was lost. You look you are still in that for me?" I was in that through the bars of cage. cage and needed their the cage and see the I used to have my help and they didn't freedom that once children around me have the time for me. was there. You bump when I had my free- Freedom is taking so your head against the dom, but now while in much for granted that bars hoping to break this cage they are no- when we lose that through but only to where to be found or freedom it's like losing know you are still in seen. There are no life itself. You can't that cage. letters to ask how you understand what it's You go to sleep at are doing or telling like to be in a cage. I night and dream you about the free- will never put a bird in about that freedom of dom outside that a cage or take his running free through cage. freedom away from the woods and fields. It's like that bird in a him. You can feel the wind cage that has no one blow through your who really cares. All Testimony By: Art By: Inmate hair and see the he has is someone Ray Troost, Jr. Abram Osequera

Volume 4, Issue 3 Page 9 Cry Justice Now News P.O. Box 473 St. Louis, MO 63166-0473

Summer 2014 Newsletter

Count Time The officer just passed my door, His boots are pounding on the floor.

This same thing happens eight times a day, And every time I start to pray.

See this count time in the pen, But see there’s something better just listen. There is a book sealed with seven seals, That will be opened after seven trumpet peals.

It will be read when God comes to earth, After He has squashed all the mirth.

I know my name is in this book, I don’t have to ask, don’t have to look. See I am anxious for this time, Because you see it’s final count time.

~ Leroy Faulkner 1165383 St. Joseph, MO