Slightly Related

Alright ladies and gents; I have a smattering of different topics I want to touch on today, the first being a Facebook page started by an early contributor to the blog. It’s a collection of videos he created, interviews with or about SPM, music, etc. I highly recommend that you take a look: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-SPM-Cant-Trust-the-System/251548814875245

Whenever a link like that goes up, it’s normal to get a few comments from people pointing out that it’s not official, not Dope House Family, or that somebody else did it first. I understand this, and you’ll notice I don’t post many things as ‘official’ this or that. I don’t like to do it unless I can verify it, and I find that trying to verify these pages is generally more trouble than it’s worth. That being said, I do want to provide y’all with the opportunity to connect with others that share an interest in Coy’s case. You can like & follow or not, as you prefer.

Another issue that’s been raised recently is that many of my posts seem only tangentially related to SPM, if at all. I wish I had more recent letters and news to share, but I can’t pull them out of thin air. I post weekly whether I have an update or not; this means that a lot of posts deal with issues related to the justice system and people in situations that are similar to Coy’s. I go back and forth about whether or not I should post when I don’t have a topic that’s directly connected to his case, but ultimately I feel that keeping the blog active is important. I take what I do very seriously, and I appreciate everyone that sticks around when there’s no news for a long period. 

Letter to Greg Abbott 2

Time for another letter to the governor! Please, feel free to write your own, copy this one, or just send one of the flyers to your right. Thank you for all your efforts!

Greg Abbot 

Office of the Governor

P.O. Box 12428

Austin, Texas 78711-2428

Sir,

I’m writing today about the case of Carlos Coy, #908426.

As I’m sure you are aware, the Court of Criminal Appeals will soon begin its review of Rodney Reed’s case for DNA testing; whatever your feelings about that case, the years of delay and the fight against an examination of the evidence speaks volumes about the odds against any inmate struggling for exoneration.

     Serious questions have also been raised about Mr. Coy’s case; despite the time that has passed since his conviction, those questions remain unanswered. The lack of physical evidence, the rapidly changing testimony of at least two key witnesses…these are not marks of a strong case. Please, consider assigning Coy’s case to a post-conviction review unit, or take a look at it personally. Help us learn the truth about the his trial.

Me, my address, etc.

Post-Willingham Review

Just a quick note today; new evidence in the Cameron Todd Willingham case suggests that Texas executed a man based on testimony that was purchased with a promise to be lenient in his burglary case; Willingham was executed in 2004, despite the insistence of experts that his conviction was based on faulty science.

Eleven years later, the struggle for exoneration continues; a letter from the records of the jailhouse snitch in question has surfaced, and it looks like he demanded, and received, lesser charges in exchange for his testimony. John Jackson, the prosecutor, secured a new post-conviction judgement that allowed the witness to be considered eligible for parole immediately.

“Things with key witness Webb looked suspicious enough before this new letter was reported. According to Possley's previous reporting, Webb testified against Willingham and did indeed get a lighter sentence, a truck and financial support for years while he was both in and out of prison. He also attempted to recant his statement that Willingham had confessed to murdering his three daughters while he and Webb were in the Navarro County Jail, though the letter he sent was never put in Willingham's file or given to Willingham's lawyers.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/letter-from-witness-casts-further-doubt-on-2004-texas-execution/2015/03/09/d9ebdab8-c451-11e4-ad5c-3b8ce89f1b89_story.html?tid=pm_politics_pop

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/news/2015/03/more_disturbing_details_emerge_on_the_willingham_case.php

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/news/2015/03/more_disturbing_details_emerge_on_the_willingham_case.php

Letter to Devon Anderson (10)

Time for another letter to the District Attorney; as always please feel free to write your own, copy this one, or just send one of the downloadable flyers to your right. All of you that send out a letter, thank you. 

Devon Anderson

1201 Franklin St

Suite 600

Houston, Tx 77002-1923

Ma’am,

I’m writing today about the case of Carlos Coy, #908426.

Recently, Representative Harold Dutton of Houston introduced a bill to abolish the death penalty in Texas; while I understand this is a controversial topic, I believe that he has raised some valid arguments. Many Texans do question the fairness of our justice system, and question whether we can morally apply the death sentence when we have proof, in the bodies of many, many exonerated men and women, that a conviction does not always unequivocally equal guilt.

            For those sentenced to death, however, there is a system of appeals and review that may eventually lead to their exoneration. For those sentenced to anything less, very little opportunity is given.  Deference is given to the original trial court’s decision, and nothing short of a miracle, or a revelation of gross misconduct is enough to call these convictions into question.

            Ma’am, I am not a lawyer; I do not have the education, training, or experience to remedy what I believe was a terribly mishandled conviction. You are in a position to do so, and your recent support of grand jury reform gives me hope that you may someday take an interest in Coy’s case. Please, take a look at his trial, or have your Post Conviction Review unit begin an investigation. Please, give us justice for this man.

Me, my address, etc  etc etc.

http://www.kvue.com/story/news/politics/2015/03/03/exonerated-death-row-inmates-fight-execution-in-texas/24333177/