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.