Truth in Justice is nonprofit organization formed to educate the public about the frequency of wrongful conviction, the factors that contribute to it, and how to recognize miscarriages of justice in the making and protect themselves and their families. Truth in Justice's website at http://truthinjustice.org/ is a key part of this effort, with over 1,500 web pages of information and resources about wrongful conviction. Members of Truth in Justice's Board of Directors include Ira Robins, Martin Yant, Dennis Fritz, Doug Berry and Sheila Berry.
Truth in Justice Radio is another important part of the organization's educational outreach. Every Sunday evening from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. Central Time, Ira Robins and Sheila Berry discuss issues that play significant roles in making, reversing and avoiding wrongful conviction. From time to time, other directors of the organization co-host with Mr. Robins. Truth in Justice Radio is broadcast on WTKM Radio from Hartford, Wisconsin, 104.9 FM, 1540 AM, and streaming live on the internet at HERE
The August 5, 2007 broadcast will be co-hosted by Mr. Robins and board member Dennis Fritz. They will discuss, among other things, the factors that led to the conviction of Mr. Fritz and his friend, Ron Williamson, for a rape and murder in which they had absolutely no involvement. They will also talk about the 12 years Mr. Fritz, an innocent man, spent in prison, how Mr. Williamson, an innocent man, came within 5 days of execution, how they were exonerated and the real killer was identified, and how to keep HOPE alive for the thousands of other innocent people imprisoned around the country for crimes they did not commit.
For readers who do not know who Dennis Fritz is, here is the beginning of his story:
Dennis Fritz started his "Journey Toward Justice" July 2005.
July is when he started writing his book "Journey Toward Justice" in which he details his arrest and subsequent imprisonment until his release April 15, 1999.
Dennis Fritz was Ron Williamson's friend and co-defendant in the Debra Sue Carter murder case. John Grisham wrote about the case in his book,The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town. Grisham writes about Ron Williamson and his role in the case. He does an excellent job and is a Great Book.
Dennis Fritz was close to Ron Williamson, and I am sure Dennis has his own stories about their life and times together.
"John Grisham announced in 2005, he was going to write a book I decided then that if he could do it so could I", said Dennis Fritz. "I am now on a Mission, and that is to bring about public awareness of false convictions." Dennis said, "It was a 12-year nightmare I suffered with my family for not doing anything and being completely innocent. That's a large part of the book, the obstacles and hurdles we had to go through.The harm that it did to me was that it took 12 years out of my life and away from my family members.I think the strongest part of my book is the total anguish and misery that I go through from being totally excluded from family, including my daughter," Fritz said. "I would not let her come and visit me because of the activities that were going on in the visiting rooms. I could not bear for Elizabeth to see what went on in that prison, so I restricted her from visiting me. It was not the kind of thing that any 11-year-old girl should see, and it tore my heart out by not being able to see her."
Fritz said. "I was subjected to indignities that no person should have to suffer, let alone a person who was innocent of the crime.""Just the fact that I was a suspect in a murder got me fired from my job," Fritz told the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.
Five years after the murder Fritz was arrested, there was a delay by state exhumation of Debra Sue Carter after an incorrect analysis of finger prints at the scene was noted. Also, an inmate that Fritz was paired with eventually came forward and stated that Fritz had confessed to the murder.
This jailhouse snitch gave a two hour taped interview revealing what Fritz had allegedly confessed to him. This confession came one day before the prosecution would have been forced to drop the charges against Fritz. According to Fritz, when they went to trial, an overzealous District Attorney, Bill Peterson, had a case built on flawed hair evidence and jailhouse snitches who received reduced sentences for their testimony.
The detectives then told me they knew I had not committed the crime, but they believed I knew who did it. From the very beginning, I always told them I was innocent, but it made no difference."
"My family, my mother my aunt and daughter stuck behind me the whole way," Fritz said. "Through our faith and their belief in my innocence, that is what busted those prison gates wide open. If it was left up to man himself, I would still be in their today."
"Our love prevailed over the mighty forces of the evil prosecutions that went on then," Fritz said. "Love itself is the most powerful thing. No matter what circumstances love always prevails. It just took 12 years for it to happen. We would not let go that the good Lord would set me free one day."
Dennis Fritz now works with the Innocence Project in Kansas City, Missouri
On the Board of Directors of Truth in Justice's and is a co-host for Truth in Justice Radio, broadcasted on WTKM Radio from Hartford, Wisconsin, 104.9 FM, 1540 AM, He makes appearances related to "the innocence movement" nationwide. He is using a book he recently published, "Journey Toward Justice", as a vehicle to bring awareness of the overall, devastating effects of how false convictions can destroy people's lives and how mistakes can be made in cases. He travels the United States speaking to law schools and also hopes to reach prosecutors and judges. You can find his book here
Journey Toward Justice Author Dennis Fritz click here On Amazon Here
International Orders Order Here Journey Toward Justice by Dennis Fritz From Around The World click on here Amazon International Just type in Journey Toward Justice Author Dennis Fritz
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
The Deadline of Innocence
Great Article From Dakota Voice
The Deadline of Innocence
By Carrie K. Hutchens
There should be no statute of limitations, or deadlines without exceptions, when it comes to proof of innocence. No one should be forced to stay in prison or be executed, simply because the innocence issue wasn't resolved in time. How ridiculous to suggest otherwise, especially when we have a judicial system so broken that the rich guilty (and sometimes even poor guilty) can often walk, while many innocent people have been sent behind bars because they didn't have the means to prove their innocence, or were afraid to take a chance on a trial after being told they would face a harsher sentence, if they fought the charges and didn't win. The latter should never be a part of a system supposedly seeking "justice", but sadly it is.
For first time readers to my blog -
If you would like to know about the beginning of my Journey Toward Justice, you can read about it (click on)HERE
You can also leave comments on my blog about this story.
The Deadline of Innocence
By Carrie K. Hutchens
There should be no statute of limitations, or deadlines without exceptions, when it comes to proof of innocence. No one should be forced to stay in prison or be executed, simply because the innocence issue wasn't resolved in time. How ridiculous to suggest otherwise, especially when we have a judicial system so broken that the rich guilty (and sometimes even poor guilty) can often walk, while many innocent people have been sent behind bars because they didn't have the means to prove their innocence, or were afraid to take a chance on a trial after being told they would face a harsher sentence, if they fought the charges and didn't win. The latter should never be a part of a system supposedly seeking "justice", but sadly it is.
For first time readers to my blog -
If you would like to know about the beginning of my Journey Toward Justice, you can read about it (click on)HERE
You can also leave comments on my blog about this story.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Websites People Claiming Innocence Submit Yours At Justice Denied
Innocents on the Web Barbara's Journey Toward Justice -
For people who have been convicted of crimes they did not commit,and their families and other supporters. I found a place on justicedenied.org where you can list your website. You can also add a link to the website of a person claiming innocence, e-mail justicedenied.org Here
Your website should be brief with basic account. Include a picture if possible. Also, have a clear menu so that visitors can find their way to what they want to read easily. Just a few of my suggestions. Any other suggestions from readers are welcome to post on my blog below in comments.
Feel free to add your website in the comment section also on my blog below. Please if you make a comment along with your website please make it brief if you want it posted. Thank You - Barbara's Journey Toward Justice
For people who have been convicted of crimes they did not commit,and their families and other supporters. I found a place on justicedenied.org where you can list your website. You can also add a link to the website of a person claiming innocence, e-mail justicedenied.org Here
Your website should be brief with basic account. Include a picture if possible. Also, have a clear menu so that visitors can find their way to what they want to read easily. Just a few of my suggestions. Any other suggestions from readers are welcome to post on my blog below in comments.
Feel free to add your website in the comment section also on my blog below. Please if you make a comment along with your website please make it brief if you want it posted. Thank You - Barbara's Journey Toward Justice
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Help Free Byron Case Wrongfully Convicted
A mother whose only son was wrongfully convicted contacted me today. Her story touch my heart and needs to be heard. I told her of my project starting soon on wrongful convictions, but for now I would like to share her story.
WEBSITE
Help Free Byron Case Wrongfully Convicted In The Murder Trail of Anastasia WitbolsFeugen.
Spread the Word Byron Case was wrongfully convicted in June of 2002 of First Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action.He was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences with no possibility for parole, which he is now serving in the Missouri penal system.
His wrongful conviction was the direct result of the testimony of only ONE alleged witness, an embittered ex-girlfriend (Kelly Moffet) with a history of drug use and mental health issues. She went on record with three different stories: one claiming she was witness to no murder at all, a second claiming another friend to have murdered Anastasia, and the third claiming that Byron is the perpetrator.
To date, there has been no motive, no DNA evidence, no weapon, no ballistics tests, or anything remotely conclusive linking him to this crime. Still, Byron was arrested, tried, convicted of this heinous crime and sentenced. Byron became the sacrificial lamb, allowing the Jackson County Sheriff's Department the relief of marking a long-unsolved case closed.
What has happened to "innocent until proven guilty"?
What has happened to reasonable doubt?
More importantly, what has happened to the American judicial system?
If wrongful convictions like this one are allowed to stand as is, almost anybody can be found guilty of almost anything at almost any time!
Please help this young man in any way you can.
We ask this favor not for ourselves alone, but on behalf of Byron.
Sincerely, The family, friends & supporters of Byron Case
Contact Evelyn Case: freebyroncase@gmail.com
Donations of any denomination may be made to the contributory account at
Bank of America, 115 W 63rd St., Kansas City, MO, 64113
Make a check or money order payable to Byron Case Wrongful Conviction.
All proceeds benefit Byron's defense fund.
Book Recommendation
Dennis Fritz is the other innocent man in John Grisham's book "The Innocent Man".
"Journey Toward Justice" Author Dennis Fritz click here On Amazon Here
International Orders Order Here "Journey Toward Justice" by Dennis Fritz From Around The World click on here Amazon International Just type in Journey Toward Justice Author Dennis Fritz
WEBSITE
Help Free Byron Case Wrongfully Convicted In The Murder Trail of Anastasia WitbolsFeugen.
Spread the Word Byron Case was wrongfully convicted in June of 2002 of First Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action.He was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences with no possibility for parole, which he is now serving in the Missouri penal system.
His wrongful conviction was the direct result of the testimony of only ONE alleged witness, an embittered ex-girlfriend (Kelly Moffet) with a history of drug use and mental health issues. She went on record with three different stories: one claiming she was witness to no murder at all, a second claiming another friend to have murdered Anastasia, and the third claiming that Byron is the perpetrator.
To date, there has been no motive, no DNA evidence, no weapon, no ballistics tests, or anything remotely conclusive linking him to this crime. Still, Byron was arrested, tried, convicted of this heinous crime and sentenced. Byron became the sacrificial lamb, allowing the Jackson County Sheriff's Department the relief of marking a long-unsolved case closed.
What has happened to "innocent until proven guilty"?
What has happened to reasonable doubt?
More importantly, what has happened to the American judicial system?
If wrongful convictions like this one are allowed to stand as is, almost anybody can be found guilty of almost anything at almost any time!
Please help this young man in any way you can.
We ask this favor not for ourselves alone, but on behalf of Byron.
Sincerely, The family, friends & supporters of Byron Case
Contact Evelyn Case: freebyroncase@gmail.com
Donations of any denomination may be made to the contributory account at
Bank of America, 115 W 63rd St., Kansas City, MO, 64113
Make a check or money order payable to Byron Case Wrongful Conviction.
All proceeds benefit Byron's defense fund.
Book Recommendation
Dennis Fritz is the other innocent man in John Grisham's book "The Innocent Man".
"Journey Toward Justice" Author Dennis Fritz click here On Amazon Here
International Orders Order Here "Journey Toward Justice" by Dennis Fritz From Around The World click on here Amazon International Just type in Journey Toward Justice Author Dennis Fritz
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Book Excerpt "Journey Toward Justice" Dennis Fritz Remembers Ronnie Williamson
Dennis Fritz met Ronnie Williamson July 1981
Book excerpt from Dennis Fritz's book "Journey Toward Justice" about that time.
"I'm more than ready, Ronnie Keith. Let's get out of here and find out where it's happenin'."
As we drove past the high-rise dorms, Ronnie said, "Pull over there, Dennie Leon, and let's check that basketball game out."
What's the deal? I thought you wanted to check out another club and get some of those pretty babes. Isn't that what you said?" Watching a men's basketball game outdoors was the last thing I wanted to do when there was a possibility of meeting a couple of nice looking gals. But I pulled over and allowed Ronnie his request.
Ronnie got out of the car and retrieved his guitar from the backseat. I stayed in the driver's seat and watched as he approached the basketball court. with his guitar strapped around his neck. I was reluctant to join him. I didn't want to interfere with the game. Secondly, all of the players were black and I didn't know how they would react if two white guys, especially one in a double-breasted suit strumming his guitar and singing, walked up and watched their game.
Ronnie got closer to the court, I got the feeling I should be a little closer to him in case something happened, and I moved my car so that it was thirty yards away from the court. I got out and leaned against the front fender,hoping there would be no confrontations. That was the last thing I needed - to have my ass beaten to a pulp.
By the time Ronnie made it to court's edge, all of the ballplayers had turned their heads and were eyeing him suspiciously, but kept playing, and so did he. They did not seem to be overly distracted by him, even when he started walking up and down the sidelines, playing his guitar and doing a musical play-by play commentary of the game.
Vivid images formed in my mind as to what the players' reactions would be, and I braced for the worst. Instead of becoming annoyed or bent out of shape, however, the players became more aggressive and appeared more confident in their abilities. I would never dreamed of a better outcome. Minutes later, Ronnie walked up to the car to get another beer.
Shortly thereafter, the game broke up and five of the players came over to us, extending their hands to congratulate Ronnie for his fine tuned commentator's skills. Ronnie wasted no time. He introduced himself as a criminal attorney from Dallas. All eyes were fixed on him as he eloquently pontificated about his legal expertise: "I am so proud to be here tonight in the presence of such a fine group of aspiring, athletically inclined young men. I am adorned with recourse to politically facilitate to you the most intricate and highly publicized interactions within the law. Needless to say, you fine young men are representative of an enterprise that travels in a circle around the globe without the due respect or favor from our prospective and highly enlightened judicial capacities. I have traveled here today to give birth to a astute relaxation but nevertheless to promulgate the truth and formidable destruction tendering the inflexibilities within our crowned judicial system. It is my great pleasure and reward to bestow upon your personage the wonderfully wet and abundantly flavorful substance existing in a chilled bottle of beer."
With eyes wide and mouths agape, the players nodded their heads up and down in mesmerized fascination. They didn't realize that Ronnie had just offered them a beer. I had not said a word up to this point - not because I didn't want to but because trying to get a word in edgewise while Ronnie was talking was nearly impossible. When he stopped talking for a moment to take a drink, I introduced myself myself as Ronnie's friend and asked the players if they would like a beer.
"Sure man, that would be great. We really worked up a sweat playin'ball," one of the guys answered.
While Ronnie walked around the car to get the guys more beer, the tallest ballplayer stepped slightly forward and asked me, "Say man, this cat is really on fire. Is he a good lawyer down there in Dallas"?
I didn't want to perpetuate something that was not true but I didn't want to expose Ronnie as a fake, so I said. "I haven't known Ronnie very long but I know that he considers himself to be a very good attorney."
Ronnie handed out cold beers to everyone and for the next thirty minutes did ninety-nine percent of the talking. The ballplayers were thoroughly impressed with him. Of course, in Ronnie's mind this was nothing more than just having a good time, with no intention of doing any harm or causing any misgivings. On the other hand, there was a strong possibility that at that moment Ronnie himself believed that he was an attorney from Dallas.
That, then was how I remembered Ronnie.......
From pages 21,22 and part 23
Excerpted from Journey Toward Justice by Dennis Fritz Copyright © 2006 by Seven Locks Press. Excerpted by permission of Seven Locks Press All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
"Journey Toward Justice" Author Dennis Fritz click here On Amazon Here
International Orders Order Here "Journey Toward Justice" by Dennis Fritz From Around The World click on here Amazon International Just type in Journey Toward Justice Author Dennis Fritz
Book excerpt from Dennis Fritz's book "Journey Toward Justice" about that time.
"I'm more than ready, Ronnie Keith. Let's get out of here and find out where it's happenin'."
As we drove past the high-rise dorms, Ronnie said, "Pull over there, Dennie Leon, and let's check that basketball game out."
What's the deal? I thought you wanted to check out another club and get some of those pretty babes. Isn't that what you said?" Watching a men's basketball game outdoors was the last thing I wanted to do when there was a possibility of meeting a couple of nice looking gals. But I pulled over and allowed Ronnie his request.
Ronnie got out of the car and retrieved his guitar from the backseat. I stayed in the driver's seat and watched as he approached the basketball court. with his guitar strapped around his neck. I was reluctant to join him. I didn't want to interfere with the game. Secondly, all of the players were black and I didn't know how they would react if two white guys, especially one in a double-breasted suit strumming his guitar and singing, walked up and watched their game.
Ronnie got closer to the court, I got the feeling I should be a little closer to him in case something happened, and I moved my car so that it was thirty yards away from the court. I got out and leaned against the front fender,hoping there would be no confrontations. That was the last thing I needed - to have my ass beaten to a pulp.
By the time Ronnie made it to court's edge, all of the ballplayers had turned their heads and were eyeing him suspiciously, but kept playing, and so did he. They did not seem to be overly distracted by him, even when he started walking up and down the sidelines, playing his guitar and doing a musical play-by play commentary of the game.
Vivid images formed in my mind as to what the players' reactions would be, and I braced for the worst. Instead of becoming annoyed or bent out of shape, however, the players became more aggressive and appeared more confident in their abilities. I would never dreamed of a better outcome. Minutes later, Ronnie walked up to the car to get another beer.
Shortly thereafter, the game broke up and five of the players came over to us, extending their hands to congratulate Ronnie for his fine tuned commentator's skills. Ronnie wasted no time. He introduced himself as a criminal attorney from Dallas. All eyes were fixed on him as he eloquently pontificated about his legal expertise: "I am so proud to be here tonight in the presence of such a fine group of aspiring, athletically inclined young men. I am adorned with recourse to politically facilitate to you the most intricate and highly publicized interactions within the law. Needless to say, you fine young men are representative of an enterprise that travels in a circle around the globe without the due respect or favor from our prospective and highly enlightened judicial capacities. I have traveled here today to give birth to a astute relaxation but nevertheless to promulgate the truth and formidable destruction tendering the inflexibilities within our crowned judicial system. It is my great pleasure and reward to bestow upon your personage the wonderfully wet and abundantly flavorful substance existing in a chilled bottle of beer."
With eyes wide and mouths agape, the players nodded their heads up and down in mesmerized fascination. They didn't realize that Ronnie had just offered them a beer. I had not said a word up to this point - not because I didn't want to but because trying to get a word in edgewise while Ronnie was talking was nearly impossible. When he stopped talking for a moment to take a drink, I introduced myself myself as Ronnie's friend and asked the players if they would like a beer.
"Sure man, that would be great. We really worked up a sweat playin'ball," one of the guys answered.
While Ronnie walked around the car to get the guys more beer, the tallest ballplayer stepped slightly forward and asked me, "Say man, this cat is really on fire. Is he a good lawyer down there in Dallas"?
I didn't want to perpetuate something that was not true but I didn't want to expose Ronnie as a fake, so I said. "I haven't known Ronnie very long but I know that he considers himself to be a very good attorney."
Ronnie handed out cold beers to everyone and for the next thirty minutes did ninety-nine percent of the talking. The ballplayers were thoroughly impressed with him. Of course, in Ronnie's mind this was nothing more than just having a good time, with no intention of doing any harm or causing any misgivings. On the other hand, there was a strong possibility that at that moment Ronnie himself believed that he was an attorney from Dallas.
That, then was how I remembered Ronnie.......
From pages 21,22 and part 23
Excerpted from Journey Toward Justice by Dennis Fritz Copyright © 2006 by Seven Locks Press. Excerpted by permission of Seven Locks Press All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
"Journey Toward Justice" Author Dennis Fritz click here On Amazon Here
International Orders Order Here "Journey Toward Justice" by Dennis Fritz From Around The World click on here Amazon International Just type in Journey Toward Justice Author Dennis Fritz
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Life On The Row Crime and Social Issues Discussion Forum
Here is a great website I thought many of my readers would be interested in. Has loads of information on many current and controversial issues.
Life on the Row is a crime/social issues discussion forum with a primary focus on Capital Punishment.
The Row welcomes all sides of the debate and strives to educate its members thru the fair and open sharing of opinion.Everyone is welcome at the Row.
Here is the link for
Life On The Row
Life on the Row is a crime/social issues discussion forum with a primary focus on Capital Punishment.
The Row welcomes all sides of the debate and strives to educate its members thru the fair and open sharing of opinion.Everyone is welcome at the Row.
Here is the link for
Life On The Row
Stop Wrongful Convictions Take Action Here
Help End Wrongful Convictions
The California State Senate created the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice to review the causes of wrongful conviction and wrongful execution in California. The Commission has issued three interim reports recommending legislative changes to prevent the most common causes of wrongful conviction in California: mistaken eyewitness identification, false confessions and the use of jailhouse informants.
Three bills have been introduced to implement the Commission’s recommended reforms:
Senate Bill 511 (Alquist) will require the electronic recording of police interrogation in cases involving homicides and other serious felonies.
Senate Bill 756 (Ridley-Thomas) will require the appointment of a task force to draft guidelines for the conduct of police line-ups and photo arrays to increase the accuracy of eyewitness identifications.
Senate Bill 609 (Romero) will require the corroboration of testimony by jailhouse informants.
TAKE ACTION: Urge your State Senator to support these bills -UPDATE Action Ended
This information is from The Faces of Wrongful Conviction
The California State Senate created the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice to review the causes of wrongful conviction and wrongful execution in California. The Commission has issued three interim reports recommending legislative changes to prevent the most common causes of wrongful conviction in California: mistaken eyewitness identification, false confessions and the use of jailhouse informants.
Three bills have been introduced to implement the Commission’s recommended reforms:
Senate Bill 511 (Alquist) will require the electronic recording of police interrogation in cases involving homicides and other serious felonies.
Senate Bill 756 (Ridley-Thomas) will require the appointment of a task force to draft guidelines for the conduct of police line-ups and photo arrays to increase the accuracy of eyewitness identifications.
Senate Bill 609 (Romero) will require the corroboration of testimony by jailhouse informants.
TAKE ACTION: Urge your State Senator to support these bills -UPDATE Action Ended
This information is from The Faces of Wrongful Conviction
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
LOCAL HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER TO BE FILMED FOR SEGMENT OF NEW TELEVISION REALITY SHOW WHILE HOSTING A BOOK SIGNING
Harley riders and the public are invited to hang out while TV camera crews film the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club and their entourage at White’s Harley-Davidson/Buell, 1515 East Cumberland Street in Lebanon, on Saturday, July 28th, from 1pm until 4pm.
The Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club will be at White’s to attend a book signing there
by famed authors Dennis Fritz and Edward Winterhalder. While the Vietnam Vets are visiting White’s, part of an episode for the new “Living On The Edge” television reality show will be filmed.
For this pilot episode of the Harley-themed show, the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club of Pennsylvania will be the primary focus of the cameras. Camera crews will be filming the Vietnam Vets in the Reading, Lebanon and Philly areas for close to one week.
Each episode of “Living On The Edge” will feature a corporate personality or celebrity who will be infused into the lives of various motorcycle club members, spending time with the members’ families, at their jobs, and in the communities they live.
For this episode, Vietnam Vets spokesman Bruce “Fuzz” Terreson said that corporate executive Michael Crowe, from Milwaukee, will appear as a guest of the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club.
The Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club, along with Mr. Crowe and their entourage, will be riding into White’s, where Mr. Fritz and Mr. Winterhalder will be autographing copies of their books for the public starting at 1pm.
Fritz’s book “Journey Towards Justice” and Winterhalder’s “Out In Bad Standings: Inside The Bandidos Motorcycle Club” are both currently best sellers in their genre. Copies of their books will be on hand for sale to the public.
Fritz spent 12 years of his life wrongfully imprisoned for a murder he did not commit. Freed from prison through DNA testing in 1999, his remarkable story is also the subject of John Grisham's latest blockbuster “The Innocent Man”. The movie rights for Grisham’s book have been sold to Hollywood star George Clooney and production is scheduled to begin in 2008.
Winterhalder, a high-ranking world leader of the notorious Bandidos Motorcycle Club until his departure from the club in 2003, is one of the world’s leading authorities on motorcycle clubs. In addition to “Out In Bad Standings”, he is a contributing author of “The Mammoth Book of Bikers” (to be released worldwide September 2007), and the Executive Producer of the “Living On The Edge” TV show.
Surrounded by the rolling hills of the Lebanon Valley, White's has been family owned and operated since 1953 when J. Herman White and his wife, Marion, started the business in a Lebanon garage. Currently owned by Joe White, the dealership expects hundreds of people to turn out for this once in a lifetime opportunity to possibly appear on a television show and to meet the authors.
# # #
For additional information please contact:
Megan Zengerle - Events Coordinator
White’s Harley-Davidson/Buell
1515 East Cumberland Street
Lebanon, PA 17042
717-272-4986
promotions at whitesharley.com (replace at with @ ) and no spaces in email
The Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club will be at White’s to attend a book signing there
by famed authors Dennis Fritz and Edward Winterhalder. While the Vietnam Vets are visiting White’s, part of an episode for the new “Living On The Edge” television reality show will be filmed.
For this pilot episode of the Harley-themed show, the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club of Pennsylvania will be the primary focus of the cameras. Camera crews will be filming the Vietnam Vets in the Reading, Lebanon and Philly areas for close to one week.
Each episode of “Living On The Edge” will feature a corporate personality or celebrity who will be infused into the lives of various motorcycle club members, spending time with the members’ families, at their jobs, and in the communities they live.
For this episode, Vietnam Vets spokesman Bruce “Fuzz” Terreson said that corporate executive Michael Crowe, from Milwaukee, will appear as a guest of the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club.
The Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club, along with Mr. Crowe and their entourage, will be riding into White’s, where Mr. Fritz and Mr. Winterhalder will be autographing copies of their books for the public starting at 1pm.
Fritz’s book “Journey Towards Justice” and Winterhalder’s “Out In Bad Standings: Inside The Bandidos Motorcycle Club” are both currently best sellers in their genre. Copies of their books will be on hand for sale to the public.
Fritz spent 12 years of his life wrongfully imprisoned for a murder he did not commit. Freed from prison through DNA testing in 1999, his remarkable story is also the subject of John Grisham's latest blockbuster “The Innocent Man”. The movie rights for Grisham’s book have been sold to Hollywood star George Clooney and production is scheduled to begin in 2008.
Winterhalder, a high-ranking world leader of the notorious Bandidos Motorcycle Club until his departure from the club in 2003, is one of the world’s leading authorities on motorcycle clubs. In addition to “Out In Bad Standings”, he is a contributing author of “The Mammoth Book of Bikers” (to be released worldwide September 2007), and the Executive Producer of the “Living On The Edge” TV show.
Surrounded by the rolling hills of the Lebanon Valley, White's has been family owned and operated since 1953 when J. Herman White and his wife, Marion, started the business in a Lebanon garage. Currently owned by Joe White, the dealership expects hundreds of people to turn out for this once in a lifetime opportunity to possibly appear on a television show and to meet the authors.
# # #
For additional information please contact:
Megan Zengerle - Events Coordinator
White’s Harley-Davidson/Buell
1515 East Cumberland Street
Lebanon, PA 17042
717-272-4986
promotions at whitesharley.com (replace at with @ ) and no spaces in email
Plea Against the Death Penalty
Look, examine, reflect. You hold capital punishment up as an example. Why? Because of what it teaches. And just what is it that you wish to teach by means of this example? That thou shalt not kill. And how do you teach that "thou shalt not kill"? By killing.
I have examined the death penalty under each of its two aspects: as a direct action, and as an indirect one. What does it come down to? Nothing but something horrible and useless, nothing but a way of shedding blood that is called a crime when an individual commits it, but is (sadly) called "justice" when society brings it about. Make no mistake, you lawmakers and judges, in the eyes of God as in those of conscience, what is a crime when individuals do it is no less an offense when society commits the deed.
Victor Hugo, Speech at the Constituent Assembly, September 15, 1848
I have examined the death penalty under each of its two aspects: as a direct action, and as an indirect one. What does it come down to? Nothing but something horrible and useless, nothing but a way of shedding blood that is called a crime when an individual commits it, but is (sadly) called "justice" when society brings it about. Make no mistake, you lawmakers and judges, in the eyes of God as in those of conscience, what is a crime when individuals do it is no less an offense when society commits the deed.
Victor Hugo, Speech at the Constituent Assembly, September 15, 1848
FREE PICNIC FOR IRAQI & AFGHANI WAR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO BE FILMED FOR TELEVISION REALITY SHOW
PRESS RELEASE - Reading, PA – Southeastern Pennsylvania area Iraqi and Afghani war veterans and their immediate families are invited to a picnic, to be held in their honor, at the Blue Falls Grove & Water Park on Bowers Road, off of Rt. 73 between Hwy 61 and Rt. 222, on the north side of Reading, from noon until 5:00pm on Sunday July 29th.
The public is also invited to attend the picnic, which is being organized by the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club of Pennsylvania, to personally thank the war veterans for their sacrifice. Non-Iraqi and non-Afghani war veterans and the public can eat for only $5 per person, which will help cover event expenses; non-alcoholic drinks are not included in the $5 charge, but will be available for purchase. All children under 6 eat for free. There will be no charge to the Iraqi and Afghani war veterans for their food and drinks.
For this event, discounted access passes to the Blue Falls pool will be available at the water park entrance for $5, and discounted access passes to the pool and slide will be available for $10. Iraqi and Afghani war veterans will be admitted to the pool and slide for free. You can learn more about the Blue Falls Grove & Water Park, and get directions to the facility, at: www.bluefallsgrove.com .
Hamburgers, hot dogs, cole slaw, potato salad, macaroni salad and cookies will be served from noon until 2:00pm or until the food is gone; drinks will be available until 5:00pm. Everyone attending is encouraged to bring their own chairs and small tables.
Merchants are also encouraged to participate as sponsors by calling Vietnam Vets MC spokesman Fuzz Terreson at 610-693-6863. All Iraqi and Afghani war veterans attending are asked to call any of the following numbers to confirm their attendance: 610-378-5601 ext. 8152 or ext. 8153 or ext 8154.
Part of an episode for the "Living On The Edge" television reality show will be filmed during the picnic. For this new Harley-themed show the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club will be the primary focus of the cameras. Crews will be filming in the Reading area for close to one week.
Each episode of "Living On The Edge" will feature a corporate personality or celebrity who will be infused into the lives of various motorcycle club members, spending time with the members’ families, at their jobs, and in the communities they live.
For the Vietnam Vets episode, Mr. Terreson said that corporate executive Michael Crowe will appear as a guest of the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club. At the picnic, Crowe will be presenting the first 200 Iraqi and Afghani war veterans with a complimentary copy of a best selling book; either a copy of "Journey Towards Justice" by Dennis Fritz or "Out In Bad Standings" by Edward Winterhalder.
Authors Fritz and Winterhalder have accepted invitations to appear at the picnic and will autograph their respective books for the war veterans. Copies of their books will also be on hand for sale to the public.Fritz spent 12 years of his life wrongfully imprisoned for a murder he did not commit. Freed from prison through DNA testing in 1999, his remarkable story is also the subject of John Grisham's latest blockbuster "The Innocent Man". The movie rights for Grisham’s book have been sold to Hollywood star George Clooney. Production is scheduled to begin in 2008.
Winterhalder, a high ranking world leader of the notorious Bandidos Motorcycle Club until his departure from the club in 2003, is one of the world’s leading authorities on motorcycle clubs. In addition to "Out In Bad Standings" he is a contributing author to "The Mammoth Book of Bikers" and the Executive Producer of the "Living On The Edge" TV show.
# # #
For additional information please contact:
Caroline Haynor - Public Relations Blockhead City Entertainment
PO Box 1654
Owasso, OK 74055
918-274-8260
The public is also invited to attend the picnic, which is being organized by the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club of Pennsylvania, to personally thank the war veterans for their sacrifice. Non-Iraqi and non-Afghani war veterans and the public can eat for only $5 per person, which will help cover event expenses; non-alcoholic drinks are not included in the $5 charge, but will be available for purchase. All children under 6 eat for free. There will be no charge to the Iraqi and Afghani war veterans for their food and drinks.
For this event, discounted access passes to the Blue Falls pool will be available at the water park entrance for $5, and discounted access passes to the pool and slide will be available for $10. Iraqi and Afghani war veterans will be admitted to the pool and slide for free. You can learn more about the Blue Falls Grove & Water Park, and get directions to the facility, at: www.bluefallsgrove.com .
Hamburgers, hot dogs, cole slaw, potato salad, macaroni salad and cookies will be served from noon until 2:00pm or until the food is gone; drinks will be available until 5:00pm. Everyone attending is encouraged to bring their own chairs and small tables.
Merchants are also encouraged to participate as sponsors by calling Vietnam Vets MC spokesman Fuzz Terreson at 610-693-6863. All Iraqi and Afghani war veterans attending are asked to call any of the following numbers to confirm their attendance: 610-378-5601 ext. 8152 or ext. 8153 or ext 8154.
Part of an episode for the "Living On The Edge" television reality show will be filmed during the picnic. For this new Harley-themed show the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club will be the primary focus of the cameras. Crews will be filming in the Reading area for close to one week.
Each episode of "Living On The Edge" will feature a corporate personality or celebrity who will be infused into the lives of various motorcycle club members, spending time with the members’ families, at their jobs, and in the communities they live.
For the Vietnam Vets episode, Mr. Terreson said that corporate executive Michael Crowe will appear as a guest of the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club. At the picnic, Crowe will be presenting the first 200 Iraqi and Afghani war veterans with a complimentary copy of a best selling book; either a copy of "Journey Towards Justice" by Dennis Fritz or "Out In Bad Standings" by Edward Winterhalder.
Authors Fritz and Winterhalder have accepted invitations to appear at the picnic and will autograph their respective books for the war veterans. Copies of their books will also be on hand for sale to the public.Fritz spent 12 years of his life wrongfully imprisoned for a murder he did not commit. Freed from prison through DNA testing in 1999, his remarkable story is also the subject of John Grisham's latest blockbuster "The Innocent Man". The movie rights for Grisham’s book have been sold to Hollywood star George Clooney. Production is scheduled to begin in 2008.
Winterhalder, a high ranking world leader of the notorious Bandidos Motorcycle Club until his departure from the club in 2003, is one of the world’s leading authorities on motorcycle clubs. In addition to "Out In Bad Standings" he is a contributing author to "The Mammoth Book of Bikers" and the Executive Producer of the "Living On The Edge" TV show.
# # #
For additional information please contact:
Caroline Haynor - Public Relations Blockhead City Entertainment
PO Box 1654
Owasso, OK 74055
918-274-8260
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Author Dennis Fritz at YES Cinema
Author Dennis Fritz will be at YES Cinema Tuesday, August 14.
What an amazing story! One of the men who inspired John Grisham's novel, "The Innocent Man". Dennis Fritz will be at YES Cinema LIVE!
Special reception ($20 per person) begins at 6:30, followed by the public presentation, book discussion and Q&A session ($10 per person) at 7:30.
Dennis' story is that he was falsely incarcerated for years on death row for a crime he did not commit. The story continues after he was exonerated and now his story is being made into a movie by George Clooney's production company.
Meet the man himself, Dennis Fritz, and learn more about his fascinating story! Seats are limited!!! (Copies of these books are available at Viewpoint Books - get them in advance to be signed!) This is from The Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center website. That is what they wrote on their website, but The Innocent Man" will be made into a movie. Dennis Fritz is the other Innocent Man in story and book. Dennis tells his own story in his book "Journey Toward Justice". Dennis Fritz was close to Ron Williamson, they both lived the story together and were friends till Ron Williamson's death in 2004. Dennis Fritz has many stories of their life and times together.
More About YES Cinema
YES Cinema is joined together with The Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center. Located in historic downtown Columbus, Indiana and is a full-service resource center . The LCNFC serves neighborhood residents in a variety of ways including direct services , activities and referrals.
The LCNFC was born out of concern that many Columbus residents' needs were not being met. Issues typically thought of as "big city" problems - i.e. poverty, domestic violence, drug addiction, homelessness, etc. - routinely plague far too many of Columbus' downtown residents. Spearheaded primarily through the efforts of the Focus 2000 Children, Youth and Families Initiative, the LCNFC was created, in large part, to find solutions for these concerns.
You can also find Dennis Fritz's book at Borders Books or here on Amazon
Journey Toward Justice Author Dennis Fritz click here On Amazon Here
International Orders Order Here Journey Toward Justice by Dennis Fritz From Around The World click on here Amazon International Just type in Journey Toward Justice Author Dennis Fritz
What an amazing story! One of the men who inspired John Grisham's novel, "The Innocent Man". Dennis Fritz will be at YES Cinema LIVE!
Special reception ($20 per person) begins at 6:30, followed by the public presentation, book discussion and Q&A session ($10 per person) at 7:30.
Dennis' story is that he was falsely incarcerated for years on death row for a crime he did not commit. The story continues after he was exonerated and now his story is being made into a movie by George Clooney's production company.
Meet the man himself, Dennis Fritz, and learn more about his fascinating story! Seats are limited!!! (Copies of these books are available at Viewpoint Books - get them in advance to be signed!) This is from The Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center website. That is what they wrote on their website, but The Innocent Man" will be made into a movie. Dennis Fritz is the other Innocent Man in story and book. Dennis tells his own story in his book "Journey Toward Justice". Dennis Fritz was close to Ron Williamson, they both lived the story together and were friends till Ron Williamson's death in 2004. Dennis Fritz has many stories of their life and times together.
More About YES Cinema
YES Cinema is joined together with The Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center. Located in historic downtown Columbus, Indiana and is a full-service resource center . The LCNFC serves neighborhood residents in a variety of ways including direct services , activities and referrals.
The LCNFC was born out of concern that many Columbus residents' needs were not being met. Issues typically thought of as "big city" problems - i.e. poverty, domestic violence, drug addiction, homelessness, etc. - routinely plague far too many of Columbus' downtown residents. Spearheaded primarily through the efforts of the Focus 2000 Children, Youth and Families Initiative, the LCNFC was created, in large part, to find solutions for these concerns.
You can also find Dennis Fritz's book at Borders Books or here on Amazon
Journey Toward Justice Author Dennis Fritz click here On Amazon Here
International Orders Order Here Journey Toward Justice by Dennis Fritz From Around The World click on here Amazon International Just type in Journey Toward Justice Author Dennis Fritz
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
DENNIS FRITZ
Dennis Fritz started his "Journey Toward Justice" July 2005.
July is when he started writing his book "Journey Toward Justice" in which he details his arrest and subsequent imprisonment until his release April 15, 1999.
Dennis Fritz was Ron Williamson's friend and co-defendant in the Debra Sue Carter murder case. John Grisham wrote about the case in his book,The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town. Grisham writes about Ron Williamson and his role in the case. He does an excellent job and is a Great Book.
Dennis Fritz was close to Ron Williamson, and I am sure Dennis has his own stories about their life and times together.
John Grisham announced in 2005 he was going to write a book I decided then that if he could do it so could I", said Dennis Fritz. I am now on a Mission, and that is to bring about public awareness of false convictions." Dennis said, "It was a 12-year nightmare I suffered with my family for not doing anything and being completely innocent. That's a large part of the book, the obstacles and hurdles we had to go through.The harm that it did to me was that it took 12 years out of my life and away from my family members.I think the strongest part of my book is the total anguish and misery that I go through from being totally excluded from family, including my daughter," Fritz said. "I would not let her come and visit me because of the activities that were going on in the visiting rooms. I could not bear for Elizabeth to see what went on in that prison, so I restricted her from visiting me. It was not the kind of thing that any 11-year-old girl should see, and it tore my heart out by not being able to see her."
Fritz said. "I was subjected to indignities that no person should have to suffer, let alone a person who was innocent of the crime.""Just the fact that I was a suspect in a murder got me fired from my job," Fritz told the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.
Five years after the murder Fritz was arrested, there was a delay by state exhumation of Debra Sue Carter after an incorrect analysis of finger prints at the scene was noted. Also, an inmate that Fritz was paired with eventually came forward and stated that Fritz had confessed to the murder.
This jailhouse snitch gave a two hour taped interview revealing what Fritz had allegedly confessed to him. This confession came one day before the prosecution would have been forced to drop the charges against Fritz. According to Fritz, when they went to trial, an overzealous District Attorney, Bill Peterson, had a case built on flawed hair evidence and jailhouse snitches who received reduced sentences for their testimony.
The detectives then told me they knew I had not committed the crime, but they believed I knew who did it. From the very beginning, I always told them I was innocent, but it made no difference."
"My family, my mother my aunt and daughter stuck behind me the whole way," Fritz said. "Through our faith and their belief in my innocence, that is what busted those prison gates wide open. If it was left up to man himself, I would still be in their today."
"Our love prevailed over the mighty forces of the evil prosecutions that went on then," Fritz said. "Love itself is the most powerful thing. No matter what circumstances love always prevails. It just took 12 years for it to happen. We would not let go that the good Lord would set me free one day."
Dennis Fritz now works with the Innocence Project in Kansas City, Missouri. He makes appearances related to "the innocence movement" nationwide. He is using a book he recently published, "Journey Toward Justice", as a vehicle to bring awareness of the overall, devastating effects of how false convictions can destroy people's lives and how mistakes can be made in cases. He travels the United States speaking to law schools and also hopes to reach prosecutors and judges. You can find his book here
Journey Toward Justice Author Dennis Fritz click here On Amazon Here
International Orders Order Here Journey Toward Justice by Dennis Fritz From Around The World click on here Amazon International Just type in Journey Toward Justice Author Dennis Fritz
July is when he started writing his book "Journey Toward Justice" in which he details his arrest and subsequent imprisonment until his release April 15, 1999.
Dennis Fritz was Ron Williamson's friend and co-defendant in the Debra Sue Carter murder case. John Grisham wrote about the case in his book,The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town. Grisham writes about Ron Williamson and his role in the case. He does an excellent job and is a Great Book.
Dennis Fritz was close to Ron Williamson, and I am sure Dennis has his own stories about their life and times together.
John Grisham announced in 2005 he was going to write a book I decided then that if he could do it so could I", said Dennis Fritz. I am now on a Mission, and that is to bring about public awareness of false convictions." Dennis said, "It was a 12-year nightmare I suffered with my family for not doing anything and being completely innocent. That's a large part of the book, the obstacles and hurdles we had to go through.The harm that it did to me was that it took 12 years out of my life and away from my family members.I think the strongest part of my book is the total anguish and misery that I go through from being totally excluded from family, including my daughter," Fritz said. "I would not let her come and visit me because of the activities that were going on in the visiting rooms. I could not bear for Elizabeth to see what went on in that prison, so I restricted her from visiting me. It was not the kind of thing that any 11-year-old girl should see, and it tore my heart out by not being able to see her."
Fritz said. "I was subjected to indignities that no person should have to suffer, let alone a person who was innocent of the crime.""Just the fact that I was a suspect in a murder got me fired from my job," Fritz told the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.
Five years after the murder Fritz was arrested, there was a delay by state exhumation of Debra Sue Carter after an incorrect analysis of finger prints at the scene was noted. Also, an inmate that Fritz was paired with eventually came forward and stated that Fritz had confessed to the murder.
This jailhouse snitch gave a two hour taped interview revealing what Fritz had allegedly confessed to him. This confession came one day before the prosecution would have been forced to drop the charges against Fritz. According to Fritz, when they went to trial, an overzealous District Attorney, Bill Peterson, had a case built on flawed hair evidence and jailhouse snitches who received reduced sentences for their testimony.
The detectives then told me they knew I had not committed the crime, but they believed I knew who did it. From the very beginning, I always told them I was innocent, but it made no difference."
"My family, my mother my aunt and daughter stuck behind me the whole way," Fritz said. "Through our faith and their belief in my innocence, that is what busted those prison gates wide open. If it was left up to man himself, I would still be in their today."
"Our love prevailed over the mighty forces of the evil prosecutions that went on then," Fritz said. "Love itself is the most powerful thing. No matter what circumstances love always prevails. It just took 12 years for it to happen. We would not let go that the good Lord would set me free one day."
Dennis Fritz now works with the Innocence Project in Kansas City, Missouri. He makes appearances related to "the innocence movement" nationwide. He is using a book he recently published, "Journey Toward Justice", as a vehicle to bring awareness of the overall, devastating effects of how false convictions can destroy people's lives and how mistakes can be made in cases. He travels the United States speaking to law schools and also hopes to reach prosecutors and judges. You can find his book here
Journey Toward Justice Author Dennis Fritz click here On Amazon Here
International Orders Order Here Journey Toward Justice by Dennis Fritz From Around The World click on here Amazon International Just type in Journey Toward Justice Author Dennis Fritz
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