October 6, 2006
Hi Everyone,
Michael's birthday is November 5th. He will be 41 years old. I ask each of you to keep him in your prayers. Michael would very much like to hear from you. You may send a birthday card to him at:
Michael O'Laughlin W80371
SBCC N-1 #57
P.O. Box 8000
Shirley, MA 01464
For those so inclined a gift would be appreciated. It would be very helpful this year if you could send money to help Michael's prison expenses (yes, prison isn't free). If sending money please send a Money Order. Make the money order payable to Michael O'Laughlin W80371 and send it to the above address. Those of you inclined to send a book please remember it must come from Amazon.com.
There is much happening in Michael's case.
During this month Michael's appellate lawyer will begin work on putting together the brief for Michael's federal appeal. This brief needs to be completed by March 2007. In reviewing the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's (SJC) ruling of March 10, 2006 it appears there are constitutional issues that can be appealed to the federal court. We're hoping if the federal court reviews Michael's case they will see it through the eyes of the Massachusetts Appellate Court ruling of July 8, 2005 which overturned Michael's conviction.
The New England Innocence Project (NEIP) is officially working on Michael's case. They are determining what evidence is available to be tested for DNA. I have been informed there is evidence that was never tested. We know when the evidence is tested it will exclude Michael. What we're hoping for is the DNA testing will point to the real perpetrator of the crime.
We have put together a couple of letters we'll be sending out to newspapers, news magazines and TV shows dealing with wrongful convictions. These letters will be sent out shortly. We're hopeful we may have some local interest in doing an investigative story of Michael's wrongful conviction. We're also hoping one of the national TV shows will do a piece on Michael's case. Those of you having any information or contacts to newspapers or TV shows I'd appreciate it if you can email me this information at dickleb@aol.com.
Thanks for you kindness and continued support.
Dick
P. S. If these email messages and updates are not in harmony with your thinking at this time please let me know, and I'll remove your name from this list.
