Different jury

Wow, I just read that the jury came back after two days with a not guilty verdict in the Casey Anthony trial. Now, that Tampa Bay jury really went in with the attitude of "innocent until proven otherwise". They really looked at the evidence and understood reasonable doubt. I think the mother probably is guilty, but following the law has to be exact and done without ones emotions or "gut instinct" coming into play. If only Dean had a jury like this one. What a difference it would have made in all our lives. We had a terrible, air headed, overly conservative jury. Thats our justice system.

No go.

Well, the Ca. supreme court decided not to review Dean's appeal. I guess it was too long and they are too busy. Who knows. We expected it because getting a second appeal is difficult, much less a first one. This is why it was so important to have a good responsible jury for the second trial, which as you know; we did not. The next step is the higher court and we feel that we have a great case for the federal level. The Innocence Project will be helping since we are not made of money.
Dean of course has no money. So say a few prayers everyone that this last effort is successful. California has become famous for having the most people in prison over every other state. Even though we are considered a more liberal state, jurors are usually elderly, and afraid and conservative, and I guess very punitive. Most prosecutors just have big egos and want to win. You combine the two, and voila, we have more prisoners than anywhere else. No wonder the Federal Government has ordered us to release a huge amount of them.

36

Tomorrow is Dean's 36th birthday. He has been in jail or prison since the age of 16 for 15 years. Most of the stays were probation violations up until he was wrongly convicted for murder. Since 1997, he has had only 4 years of freedom. Hopefully, one day, that will change, God willing.
It has become part of our life, visiting every two months, a son in prison. It still feels foreign.
As long as we all have our health, we can deal with anything. Our faith in karma and eternity, keeps us strong. For everyone involved directly or indirectly with Dean, there are valuable lessons learned.
It still shocks me that jurors who are supposedly decently intelligent could buy the prosecutions story. How can anyone think that a gang member would go into enemy territory wearing a uniform with his name on it for all to see, and driving a car that has a sticker of the city he is from on it? A gang member wants to hide who he is , so that no warning calls go out. As soon as they are "made", they get out fast before a car load of enemy are after them. Yet not only did the jury believe that a gang member chatted up with the enemy showing his name tag, but he stayed around after seeing the enemy go to a phone and make a call. How ludicrous. Also, how can a jury believe that a bloody bloody crime did not produce any of the victim's blood in the getaway car? And how can they believe that the victims blood got on the top of shoes (that had long pants covering them), yet none on the soles which were running around in the blood? These are just a few of many things that jury members overlooked. Not one witness said that they saw who exactly did it. Yet, Dean is the only one convicted. If it wasn't so tragic, it would be ironic that the D.A. got bamboozled by three murderers, and let them out forever, believing their story that Dean is the guilty one. The person he locked up is innocent, and the ones free are guilty. I wonder if this is the norm for our justice system???? Who, these days has any common sense?
Eyewitnesses described two other defendants as the assailants. No one described Dean. A police video shows that the supposed get away car is not in the spot where all snitches said it was. Of course, during the trial, they changed their mind, but still, there was no get away car in the video. The officers also said that they never remember seeing a car that the snitches said "was there."
A jury decided that they were "the people" and whatever the prosecutor wanted them to do, they would. Mindless pathetic sheep.
We all have to report to God at the end of this life, and the shame that awaits some will be huge.
Every day, I strive to be the best person possible and to be of service in my community. Everything else is rarely thought about. Dean is doing amazingly well because he is strong in faith and in health. Who knows what will come about in the near future?

Appeal denied

Well, we got the news that Deans' appeal for a new trial was denied. We read the decision and it was clear that the judges were very biased for the prosecution as was the jury. They also did not like Dean as he was in 1997. (either did we). Their dislike of him aided in their decision to deny a new trial. They thought that Dean liked jail and had too much fun there. Of course, back then, he was in a level one facility which is very different from a level 4. I think all people who have careers that decide a persons life for punishment, should take tours of the different level prisons and should be aware of what different types of incarceration are like. These judges are in their own bubble world and have no inkling what a life in the justice system is like.
We expected that Orange County would deny his appeal for a new trial, and so we move now to the next step. We will appeal to a higher court and see if they are more un-biased.
The judges never addressed the fact that witnesses never saw anyone fitting Deans description at the crime, and they never addressed the video that shows Dean's car was not at the crime. In fact, the judges never discussed any facts from the defense side. They only discussed the prosecution and how they believed their story of the crime. They also admitted that the prosecutor was wrong in his tactics but they did not want to rule against him officially. And that is Orange County attitude folks. That is why people get railroaded in court and prosecutors, investigators and the Sheriff have carte blanche to do what they want. The judges are former prosecutors and turn a blind eye to defendants. Dean was lucky the first time to have received a new trial. A second request would always be more difficult.
Dean is sad, but he expected it, because he has more or less accepted that there is no justice for him in Orange County.
He is doing well and keeping strong in his belief that he is being tested and learning what God wants him to learn.

Christmas 2010

Christmas is here again, without Dean enjoying it. Besides my visit, he had his Aunt Mona, cousin Sara and cousin Sam visit him. Thanks to all who have sent him cards and/or presents for the holiday season. He is so grateful to have our love and support. Small things make his day.
We have heard from the appellate court that a decision has been made on whether or not Dean will get a new trial. We should know the answer in about two weeks.
If the appellate court denies him a new trial, the Innocence Project will than take over and file a habeus appeal which goes to the higher court for review.
We all have strong faith that God is handling Deans life. Dean says that if he is meant to stay in prison, then, he knows he will go to a better life when he dies. He feels that he abandoned his family for too many years living an immoral life and that if he is punished now for it, he will not be after death. He knows he never committed a murder, as God knows too, but he hung around those that did. The person he is today is the one he is satisfied with and that is important to us all.
We of course do not like to see justice not done. It is upsetting to see corruption in our legal system not be exposed. No one ever said that life is fair. In the big picture of eternity, it is balanced, but not always in sections of our lives.
We await the decision and try to have peace, love, and smiles this Christmas.
I will post on the blog when we know for sure.

Call First

Well, we learned something the hard way. We drove the early morning three hour drive up to see Dean just to find out that his yard is on lockdown. It happened the night before we left. I guess next time I will have to call at 4am to find out if he is on lockdown or not. We had to turn around and come back home. Two times over the grapevine in one day. Not fun.
I haven't heard from him yet as he is not allowed to make phonecalls on lockdown. I hope he is okay.
The Innocence project has a new person on his case with some great ideas. Hopefully we can get Dean his freedom.

The world we live in.

I just got word today that Dean's appeal was just submitted to the appellate court. Here , I thought the court had been reviewing it for the last year. I guess there are way too many appeals in Orange County to go through. So we probably will not hear anything back now for at least another year. Wow. This is the world we live in. Just pray that those who read it are not lazy or pre-biased for guilt.