November 18, 2003
Hi Everyone,
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I know Michael would like to hear from you. He is so very thankful and grateful for your prayers and all the support you have given him. Even though he is in prison for a crime he didn't commit he still is very thankful for each and every one of you. Your cards, letters, guest book entries, and visits really keep his spirits high. He received well over a dozen birthday cards and he responded to each one. He's very grateful to you for thinking of him on his birthday. So if you've got the time consider sending him a Thanksgiving card. He'll really appreciated and you'll feel great for doing so.
Work continues in creating awareness for Michael's wrongful conviction. Some of our members have contacted the Oprah Winfrey show, NBC Dateline, The New York Times and The Boston Globe. I have been corresponding with the Massachusetts State Representative who is sponsoring the wrongful conviction bill in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. In addition I have added the State Representative and the State Senator for the district (Lee, MA) where the crime was committed to our group email listing. I want these two people to be aware of what's going on and the injustice that has been done to Michael.
Some of you may or may not be aware of two prisoners that have been recently released from state prisons for crimes they did not commit. One gentleman was from Maryland and spent 27 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. Even more recently is a gentleman for Massachusetts that was released from prison after spending 15 years for a murder he didn't commit. He was just recently on a TV talk show and said there are many more prisoners in Massachusetts prisons that have been wrongfully convicted. Michael is one of them. As efforts such as ours continue the country is finding out just how serious the situation of the wrongfully convicted is.
I've just returned to sunny, warm Tucson, AZ. I guess after spending 20+ years out west my blood is to thin for the winters of the Northeast. Although I will not be visiting Michael until May 2004 I will have weekly phone calls with him, exchange letters with him and keep you all updated on what is going on with Michael and our efforts to free him.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you,
Dick
dickleb@aol.com
P.S. If these email messages and updates are not in harmony with your thinking at this time please let us know, and we'll remove your name from this list.
