DENNIS FRITZ at Buena Vista University

ACES brings wrongfully convicted man to campus(click here for story)
The wrongfully convicted man is Dennis Fritz. Here is more about the college:
Buena Vista University - BVU Ranked Among America’s Best Colleges.
For photos of the event click here
Buena Vista University has been named a top school in the U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges 2009" publication. In the Midwestern Comprehensive Colleges - Bachelor's category, BVU is ranked 12th for academic quality. BVU received the same ranking in the 2008 edition.

"America's Best Colleges 2009" formulates this rating through an accumulation of data on a peer assessment test, freshman retention rate, graduation rate, class size and student/faculty ratio. It also takes into account the percentage of full time faculty, the ratio of students who were in the 25 to 75 percentile on their ACT and SAT scores, and the percentage of freshman in the top 25 percent of their graduating class.

READ MORE: Dennis Fritz On His Journey Toward Justice - Fritz Is One Of The Main Characters in John Grisham's Book "The Innocent Man" ONWARD TO STORM LAKE, IOWA click here

Dennis Fritz On His Journey Toward Justice - Fritz Is One Of The Main Characters in John Grisham's Book "The Innocent Man"

ONWARD TO STORM LAKE, IOWA

On November 17, 2008, Dennis Fritz ( author of Journey Toward Justice ), drove to Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa—upon invitation from Lisa Wagner, (Technical Services and Event’s Director at Buena Vista), to share his powerful story at the long awaited, anticipated event.

Storm Lake, Iowa, is a small-nestled township within the northwest section of the State. The flavor and charm of the town is the Lake itself. In the summer months, Storm Lake is the main attraction to many local and out-of-area tourists. One can sense a somewhat mysterious aura that the lake projects—perhaps, as to some long-ago, un-talked about secrets that only the lake can tell.

On the northern edge of the city, the structures of Buena Vista University give birth within, to a highly regimented educative process. Although there are approximately 5000 students at Buena Vista, the students and staff are very closely united, thus allowing a greater one-on-one communication between themselves.
With a sparkle in his eye and a noticeable sense of confidence within himself, Mr. Fritz shared his shocking story with two, back-to-back criminology classes, under the direction of Dr. Stephanie Hays­—who is the Assistant Professor of Criminology.

In 1999, Mr. Fritz was released from prison, after having spent 12 long, torturous years for a charged 1st Degree Capital Murder that he did not commit or know anything about, whatsoever! Most people would have been emotionally and permanently damaged if they had been exposed to what Dennis went through. Because of his great inner strength and faith in the Lord, Dennis has overcome the towering obstacles of great pain and suffering, and was still able to put his life back together and move forward in such a dramatic and positive way. Dennis is admired by everyone that he comes in contact with.

Dennis is one of the two main characters in John Grisham’s best selling book, The Innocent Man. Dennis’ book, Journey Toward Justice, is truly recognized as THE companion book to Grisham’s 1st non-fiction work of art. John and Dennis travel the country and do fundraisers together to help raise money for Innocence Projects across the U.S.
In addition, Dennis travels extensively on his own, in sharing his story with an array of various groups across the nation. Being a certified board member for the Midwestern Innocence Project in Kansas City, Missouri, allows Dennis many opportunities to bring about a greater awareness as to the devastating impact of false convictions.

Dennis Fritz took the stage to an audience of around 200+ people. His outright manner, and perfected speaking abilities, put everyone in awe—as to the living nightmare out of hell that he and his family had to suffer through. When Dennis speaks, he can make you cry—and then, in the end—make you laugh with nothing but sheer joy in your heart. Following his talk, Dennis, as usual, autographed his books while warmly greeting everyone. In his modest way, Dennis always says, “I am on a mission to simply bring about a much greater awareness as to how false convictions can destroy someone’s life—as well as, tearing at the very fabric of our moral and legal society.


For More photos click here

Dennis Fritz Speaks At The National Association of Legal Secretaries Regional Conference

Dennis Fritz ( Author of Journey Toward Justice ), and Jay Swearingen ( Executive Director of the Midwestern Innocence Project ), were selected among other invited guests, to speak at the 6th annual NALS ( National Association of Legal Secretaries ) regional conference, in Kansas City, Missouri.


The conference started off with a bang, as Jay Swearingen gave his power point presentation to over 60 female professional secretaries. Jay is an excellent speaker, who captured everyones attention, concerning the overall duties and responsibilities of the Midwestern Innocence Project.

The special guest speaker, Dennis Fritz, took the microphone and told his harrowing story of having spent 12 long, nightmarish years in an Oklahoma penitentiary for being falsely convicted of 1st Degree Capital Murder. The viewing audience was overwhelmed by his detailed description of the sheer madness that he and his family suffered through. Mr. Fritz has now become the leading speaker in the nation on wrongful convictions. His easy-going and mild-manner personality, conveyed the horrendous amounts of injustice from being in a nightmare out of hell.

Following a thunderous round of applause, Mr. Fritz autographed copies of his book, Journey Toward Justice while visiting with each and every attendee in the group. Dennis Fritz and John Grisham travel around the country doing fundraisers for several Innocence Projects throughout the U.S. Dennis is one of the two main characters in Johns 1st non-fiction book, The Innocent Man. Dennis always says, "that it is such a great pleasure and honor to share his story, to bring about a much-needed greater awareness as to the impact of false convictions.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS

Dennis Fritz Guest Speaker At Thomson Reuters West Headquarters

West and The Innocence Project
Published October 17, 2008 on West Website:
West supports The Innocence Project of Minnesota, a nonprofit organization affiliated with the national efforts of
The Innocence Project, well-known for its work to exonerate wrongfully convicted people through DNA testing and reforming the criminal justice system.

As part of West’s connection to The Innocence Project, the Thomson Reuters Legal division hosted a presentation on Wed. Oct. 15 to employees at our Eagan, Minn. headquarters by Dennis Fritz, one of two men convicted in 1988 of murdering a woman in Oklahoma. Fritz and the other man, Ron Williamson, served 11 years in prison until DNA evidence proved their innocence.

You may know the case because it also is featured in “The Innocent Man,” a book by bestselling author John Grisham. Fritz also wrote a book about his ordeal, titled “Journey Toward Justice.”

Fritz presented his story to Thomson Reuters employees, answered questions and autographed copies of his book. Afterward, we asked him about his story in this video interview:

After his visit to Thomson Reuters, Fritz joined Grisham at a West-sponsored “Benefit for Innocence” event in Minneapolis, to raise money for The Innocence Project of Minnesota.
To view and download photos from the event, click here.
Source West
Headquartered in Eagan, Minn., West is the foremost provider of integrated information solutions to the U.S. legal market. West is a business within Thomson Reuters (www.thomsonreuters.com). For more information, please visit the West Web site at www.west.thomson.com.

Dennis Fritz, "The Innocent Man" and John Grisham's Real Life, "Appeal"

This story is just unbelievable. A libel lawsuit against Dennis Fritz, author of Journey Toward Justice and author, John Grisham headed to court of appeals. An Oklahoma federal judge's dismissal of a libel lawsuit against:

• John Grisham, author of “The Innocent Man.”
• Robert Mayer, author of “The Dreams of Ada.”
• Dennis Fritz, the author of “Journey Toward Justice.”
• Barry Scheck, one of Fritz’s lawyers who helped exonerate him, and a co-author of “Actual Innocence,” that discusses the case of Williamson and Fritz.
• The Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, publisher of “The Innocent Man” and “Actual Innocence.”
• Random House Inc., which owns Doubleday Dell.
•Broadway Books, publisher of “The Dreams of Ada.
• Seven Locks Press and/or James C. Riordan, publisher of “Journey Toward Justice”, is on its way to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Read More: click here >DA Bill Peterson Suing The Innocent Man Dennis Fritz For Emotional Distress Oct.2007

MORE Case Dismissed Sept.18,2008 click here

Johnnie Lee Savory - Falsely Accused, Unjustly Convicted: A Child's Story

Let me tell you about Johnnie's story.

In 1977, when Johnnie Lee Savory was 14, he was falsely accused and unjustly convicted for killing his best friend and his best friend's sister in their hometown of Peoria, Illinois.
With the help of Northwestern University's Center on Wrongful Convictions, he was paroled and released in late 2006, after spending 30 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

Since Johnnie's release from prison, he has organized a broad coalition of support from some of the most influential and respected lawyers and legal minds in the country. Including John Grisham, - see my post - Sunday, January 27, 2008
"John Grisham Seeks Governor's Aid In DNA-Test Request For Man Convicted Of Double-Murder", click HERE .

Though a free man today, society still considers Savory an ex-felon, which is why he is asking Governor Rod Blagojevich to order DNA testing of the evidence that was used to convict him.

With nothing to personally gain, Johnnie's supporters all agree that his case from start to finish was grossly mishandled, and that the evidence used to convict him demands DNA testing.

Johnnie has started a campaign called Justice for Savory to shine a light on this injustice.

The campaign includes a blog, which you can find here: http://justiceforsavory.windycitizen.com/
Here's the url to Johnnie's youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/justiceforsavory

On the youtube channel, they just posted a youtube video by Rob Warden, the executive director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions. In the video, Mr. Warden explains why Johnnie's case demands DNA testing and addresses why Lyons is afraid of the truth. Here's the link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tlJZXPgOUo

CASE DISMISSED Grisham - Fritz - Mayer - Scheck Lawsuit

--CASE DISMISSED--September 17, 2008
United States District Court Eastern District of Oklahoma -
In September, 2007, William N. Peterson, the District Attorney in Ada, Oklahoma, filed a complaint for civil conspiracy, libel, publicity placing a person in false light and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The complaint was a result of the depiction of Prosecutor Peterson in the following books:

• The Innocent Man by John Grisham -- Doubleday Publishing
• Journey Toward Justice by Dennis Fritz -- Seven Locks Press
• Dreams of Ada by Robert Mayer - Broadway Books

The defendants named were:
John Grisham - Doubleday Publishing
Dennis Fritz - Seven Locks Press
Robert Mayer - Broadway Books
Barry Scheck - Random House
James C. Riordan
On September 17, 2008, Ronald A. White, United States District Judge, Eastern District of Oklahoma GRANTED the defendants motion to dismiss.

Judge White in his opinion stated:
"The conduct complained of here is not extreme and outrageous for two reasons:

(1) the statements are not defamatory because they are constitutionally and statutorily protected and;
(2) the alleged conduct is not atrocious and utterly intolerable in a civilized society.

Therefore it is not plausible that these statements about public officials concerning matters of public concern even comes close to extreme and outrageous conduct."

This is Great News !!

UPDATE - Oct. 2008
This story is just unbelievable. A libel lawsuit against Dennis Fritz, author of Journey Toward Justice and author, John Grisham headed to court of appeals.
Read More HERE

Federal Judge Dismisses Libel Lawsuit Against John Grisham

A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed a libel lawsuit against best-selling author John Grisham over a nonfiction book he wrote about the 1982 killing of an Ada cocktail waitress, calling the petition's claims "not plausible.”

The lawsuit was filed last year by former Pontotoc County District Attorney William Peterson, former Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation investigator Gary Rogers and Melvin Hett, an OSBI criminologist.

The lawsuit named Grisham, his publishing company and the authors and publishing companies of two other books critical of Peterson and his prosecution of murder cases.

Also named as a defendant was Barry Scheck, founder of the New York-based Innocence Project and an attorney for one of the men falsely accused in the killing of Debbie Sue Carter.

U.S. District Judge Ronald White on Wednesday dismissed the lawsuit saying, "What two words best describe a claim for money damages by government officials against authors and publishers of books describing purported prosecutorial misconduct? Answer: Not plausible.”


Pair cleared by DNA
Dennis Fritz and Ron Williamson were prosecuted by Peterson and convicted of killing Carter. They were later cleared by DNA evidence and freed after 12 years in prison. Williamson, who was sentenced to death, was just five days away from his execution when he was granted a stay.
Grisham's book, "The Innocent Man,” and Fritz's "Journey Toward Justice” both documented the killing and subsequent trials. A third book, "The Dreams of Ada” by Robert Mayer, explored the investigation and prosecution of two other men for the 1984 killing of Denice Haraway in Ada.


Judge says analysis, criticism are needed
The plaintiffs alleged in their lawsuit that the defendants conspired to commit libel, generated publicity for themselves by placing the plaintiffs in a false light and intentionally inflicted emotional distress.
White rejected those claims in his ruling Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

"Where the justice system so manifestly failed and innocent people were imprisoned for 11 years (one almost put to death), it is necessary to analyze and criticize our judicial system (and the actors involved) so that past mistakes do not become future ones,” White wrote in his ruling. "The wrongful convictions of Ron Williamson and Dennis Fritz must be discussed openly and with great vigor.”

The original lawsuit had alleged that attorneys for Fritz and Williamson participated in the wrongful treatment. At one point in the ruling, White quoted the movie "Casablanca,” and he included a footnote with a YouTube link in his ruling as a parody of how attorneys met with experts and discussed the facts of the case, using the opinions that are most favorable to their side.

Gary Richardson, the attorney for Peterson, Rogers and Hett, said he was still reading the judge's order to determine whether he would file an appeal.

"Of course, I'm quite disappointed and a bit surprised at the ruling,” Richardson said. "I felt that we had a solid case.”

Scheck, who worked to help free Fritz and Williamson, said he was pleased with the ruling.

"This is a victory for free speech and for holding officials publicly accountable for their role in wrongful convictions,” Scheck said in statement. "The court noted that we can learn from wrongful convictions to improve the system, and we can't do that unless these cases are fully examined, even when the facts are embarrassing for public officials who were involved in these miscarriages of justice.”
Source newsok.com

My first post on story - Tuesday, October 2, 2007

DA Bill Peterson Suing The Innocent Man Dennis Fritz For Emotional Distress
Dennis Fritz, who wrote the book, "Journey Toward Justice", is named as a defendant in a libel lawsuit along with , John Grisham, author of "The Innocent Man", Robert Mayer, author of "The Dreams of Ada", and all their publishers, and New York City attorney Barry Scheck, Fritz's former lawyer who once represented Fritz and is co-director of The Innocence Project.

With the aid of Barry Scheck and irrefutable DNA evidence, Dennis Fritz and Ron Williamson were exonerated in 1999. Pontotoc County District Attorney Bill Peterson and Gary Rogers, a former agent for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation filed the libel lawsuit. The lawsuit, seeks at least $75,000 compensation and demands a jury trial. Peterson and Rogers were instrumental in the conviction of Ron Williamson and Dennis Fritz in the murder of Debbie Sue Carter in Ada, Oklahoma in 1982.

The conviction was later overturned on DNA evidence pursued by the Innocence Project, which Scheck heads, Dennis Fritz was wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit and spent 12 years in prison. Part of the lawsuit claims the defendants conspired to commit libel against the plaintiffs, generate publicity for self interest by placing them in a false light and intentionally inflicting emotional distress upon them.

So... Prosecutor with the help of Gary Rogers sent 2 innocent men, Dennis Fritz and Ron Williamson to prison for 12 years. Both Innocent men freed by DNA evaluation of crime scene evidence. Innocent man, Dennis Fritz writes book about his experiences. Prosecutor and Gary Rogers sue the innocent man they wrongfully sent to prison and Prosecutor and Rogers sue for intentionally inflicting emotional distress upon them. Only in America Folks...
Posted by Barbara's Journey Toward Justice

UPDATE OCT. 2008
Dennis Fritz, "The Innocent Man" and John Grisham's Real Life, "Appeal"
This story is just unbelievable. A libel lawsuit against Dennis Fritz, author of Journey Toward Justice and author, John Grisham headed to court of appeals. Read More HERE

John Grisham's Brother Mark Grisham Writes Novel - Bedlam South

John Grisham's brother publishes a book.
It took three years for David Donaldson and Mark Grisham — the younger brother of John Grisham — to finish their debut novel “Bedlam South,” which will hit bookstores worldwide on Oct. 7, 2008.

“Bedlam South,” a novel that begins and ends in an insane asylum during the Civil War, could be the saving grace for its novice authors as well as a Southaven charity.
Both Grisham and Donaldson have pledged that a significant portion of the proceeds from the sale of their book will go to help Impact Missions, the organization that Donaldson oversees.
Recently, donations to the nonprofit that helps needy and neglected children and families dropped drastically as the effects of a slumping economy trickled down to charitable organizations.

Donaldson, Impact Mission’s president, recently had to ask local governments for extra funding to pay the bills for this month.
“Whatever success we have with this book, we want to help this dedicated charity,” Grisham said. “So, we want to get the word out about our book, because it is a blessing for us and so many others.”
They didn’t ask Mark’s big brother, John, whose best-selling novels have brought him international fame, for help.

“We could’ve taken that short cut and asked him for advice, but we were raised to paddle your own canoe,” said Mark Grisham, 47, who lives in the Nesbit area and whose company sells heavy construction equipment parts. “After we finished the book, I told John and he almost fell off his chair. He then read it and he gave us some helpful tips.
“He also told me he was glad we got it published without help from him because he wants us to get all the credit.”
Source: commercialappeal.com

A little added information:
The book is being published by State Street Press, a publishing arm of Borders Books.
A Los Angeles company is working to turn "Bedlam South" into a screenplay.
The two longtime friends, who have known each other since junior high school, started their literary career in 2005.
Impact Missions Inc. Website - (click here ). .

Features a Donation Link

Impact Missions Address:
Impact Missions
8791 Northwest Drive
Southaven, MS 38671
(662) 343-0155

Sarah Palin On The Death Penalty

If legislature passed death penalty law, I would sign it. (Nov 2006) - Full Quote:
If legislature passed death penalty law, I would sign it I support adequate funding for a strong public safety presence in Alaska. Feeling safe in our communities is something we cannot accept any compromise on. This includes policing in all its forms, the court system, prosecutors and corrections. If the legislature passed a death penalty law, I would sign it. We have a right to know that someone who rapes and murders a child or kills an innocent person in a drive by shooting will never be able to do that again. Source: Campaign website,www.palinforgovernor.com, Issues" Nov 7, 2006 ,
Sarah Palin is against abortion and gay marriage,as well as the right to bear arms.

Inmates Playing Card Games Can Solve Cold Cases

The story - While inmates in jails across New York pass the time by playing card games -- gin rummy, poker and solitaire -- they may also be helping crack cold cases.

The idea is simple: Each of the 52 playing cards contains information about a murder, a missing person or another unsolved crime.
Inmates know information law enforcement agents don't, and as corrections officers can attest, inmates love to talk as long as it's not about their own crimes.
Most of the cases featured on the New York cards deal with missing persons, but some show unsolved murders, some dating to the 1980s.
Inmates can provide information by calling a hot line. They're not required to provide their names. Cindy Bloch, case manager at New York's Criminal Justice Services, said she's encouraged by the response.
"Prior to the playing card program being implemented, we had virtually no calls coming from correctional facilities," she said. "We now have 40 or 50 calls per month coming in."
Sheriff Jack Mahar, who runs the county jail in Rensselaer County, New York, said he replaced all the playing cards in the jail with the cold case cards.
"The people that are here live out on the streets, they grew up out on the streets, they know what's going on," Mahar said.
"Sooner or later, someone will hear, someone talks; it always happens whether it's two days from now or five years from now."
Even inmates think the cards are a good idea.

Doug and Mary Lyall began the card program in New York. Their daughter has been missing for a decade.
Continue Reading
Cards could help uncover cold case clues"

Improving the Practice and Use of Forensic Science

Forensic science can be a powerful tool for seeking truth in criminal investigations and trials, but it is not flawless. A recent study found that faulty forensic evidence or testimony was a contributing factor in nearly sixty percent of wrongful convictions.

Dennis Fritz and Ron Williamson were two of those wrongfully convicted based on inaccurate and misleading forensic evidence. A visual hair comparison - a “science” that has an error rate as high as sixty-seven percent on individual samples - was a major factor in their convictions. They spent over a decade in jail, with Williamson on death row, until DNA testing proved their innocence in 1999. The DNA at the crime scene matched the man who originally led police to Williamson and Fritz.

The problems in Fritz and Williamson’s case are among those highlighted in a new publication from The Justice Project (TJP), which is designed to help states improve the quality of evidence in criminal trials and increase fairness and accuracy within the criminal justice system.

A new publication from The Justice Project (TJP), Improving the Practice and Use of Forensic Science: A Policy Review, provides an overview of the problems with certain forensic science policies and procedures, offers solutions to these problems, profiles cases of injustice, highlights states with good laws and procedures, and includes a model policy for the states.

The Justice Project recommends that:

· States create an independent, transparent oversight commission to develop and enforce quality standards for forensic science laboratories.
· States require all forensic science laboratories to develop internal structures and policies to prevent bias in testing and analysis.
· States require that all forensic laboratories are independent from law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies.
· States require that all forensic laboratory analysts receive proper training and certification.
· States allocate sufficient funding to adequately implement these recommendations.

To ensure a more fair and accurate criminal justice system, it is critical to improve the reliability, objectivity, and independence of forensic analysis and testimony in criminal trials and investigations. This and other policy reviews are available on TJP’s website at www.thejusticeproject.org.

Books about Judicial Error, False Imprisonment, Forensic Sciences

Book List: DNA data banks, judicial error, false imprisonment, forensic sciences. I will be adding more books to list in the future. To Submit A Book - Have a book to recommend and add to list, just click on the word "comments" on bottom of post and add a book to list. Must be on subjects.

• Journey Toward Justice Author: Dennis Fritz, Seven Locks Press, 2006 - judicial error, false imprisonment, forensic sciences

• DNA Databases edited by Lauri R. Harding - Greenhaven Press, Dna Crime Scene: Inside the World of the Real CSIs by Connie Fletcher - St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2007


• The Forensic Laboratory Handbook: Procedures and Practice edited by Ashraf Mozayani and Carla Noziglia - Humana Press

• Crime Scene: The Ultimate Guide to Forensic Science- Law - DK Publishing 2003 by Richard Platt (Author)

Partial List of Books about Forensics for Youths

• Whodunit? : Science Solves the Crime Author: Otfinoski, Steven.; Scheld, Betsy,Publication: New York : W H Freeman, 1995 Reading Level: Ages 4-8
• Police Lab: Using Science to Solve Crimes Author: Sheely, Robert, 1956-Publication: New York : Silver Moon Press, 1993 Reading Level: Ages 9-12
• Cool Careers for Girls as Crime Solvers Author: Thornburg, Linda, 1949-Publication: Manassas Park, VA : Impact Publications, 2001
• Forensics - Author: Ball, Jacqueline A. Publication: Milwaukee, WI : Gareth Stevens Pub., 2003 Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Dennis Fritz - Tabitha Pollock - A Rally For The Wrongfully Convicted

FIGHT FOR FREEDOM
On June 21, 2008, an outside rally was held in Harrah, Oklahoma for Raye Dawn Smith. She is now serving a 27 year sentence for the charge of Enabling—in that, she ‘should have known’ that her former husband was abusing her child Kelsey, which thereafter resulted in her death.
At a country-side park ( just minutes away from the prison where Raye Dawn is currently incarcerated ) people were arriving in carloads, to give their unyielding support for Raye Dawn’s declared innocence.
The keynote speakers, Dennis Fritz, author of Journey Toward Justice ( the co-companion book to John Grisham’s, The Innocent Man ), and Tabitha Pollock—along with her husband, Abe—were seen in and around the pavilion, greeting and meeting Ray Dawn’s family members and guests. Tabitha, who had also been once convicted for the same charge of Enabling, was outwardly expressive in showing her empathy, as she mingled throughout the now-crowded assembly of people in sharing her support.

The smell of grilled hotdogs permeated throughout the gathering, thus signaling everyone’s attention that this special day, would help to bring forth Raye Dawn’s long sought-after freedom. The building intensity of emotions could easily be felt, like a fast moving thunderstorm sweeping through on a once calm, cloudless day. Every word and mannerism expressed by the guests and family members, were powerfully focused on one thing, and one thing only—to bust open those prison gates that wrongfully restrained Ray Dawn Smith.

As the large populated crowd sat down at the picnic tables to enjoy their lunch, the rally began. Several members of Ray Dawn’s family—including her mother, Gayla, went to the front and poured their hearts out. The inner strength of their words brought tears to everyone’s eyes. Their outright determination bore the resemblance of a lit cherry bomb that was about to ignite. A true spiritual blessing from the holy spirit was being felt by everyone in attendance. It was almost like you could feel the overhead pavilion shaking from it’s very foundation.

Next to speak was Tabitha Pollock. The emotion in her voice could not hide the tremendous amount of pain and suffering that she had been through. As she told her story of the traumatic years she spent behind bars— in having to deal with the agony of her daughter’s death—her broken words pierced everyone’s heart like a horror story straight out-of-hell. Although tears were streaming down from her eyes, an enormous inner strength brought forth a renewed Raye-of-Hope, that one day, Raye Dawn Smith’s innocence would be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. Her slowly spoken words reverberated the pent-up scars that extended to the depths of her soul. Her courage shined through like a brilliant light as she shifted from side to side. It was the first time that Tabitha had told her complete story in front of a group of people.
When she had finished, it was noticeably visible that a great burden had been lifted from her shaking, small-framed body. Everyone clapped and cheered with joy and happiness as she passed the microphone. God bless you, Tabitha!

The next speaker, Dennis Fritz, described his horrible account of having been wrongfully convicted for 12 years of 1st Degree Capital Murder. Mr. Fritz eloquently compared his nightmarish circumstances to that of Raye Dawn Smith’s plight for justice. In his straight forward and easy going manner, Dennis spoke of hope and divine intervention for Raye Dawn and her family. His inspiring words also brought forth a tremendous comfort and renewed hope, that Raye Dawn would be exonerated in the near future.
With all eyes glued upon him, Mr. Fritz further conveyed the many instances how the Lord had been there to help him throughout his wrongful conviction. Following a brief silence of inward thought, Dennis raised his head and said, “Raye Dawn will receive her freedom through her strong faith and belief in the Lord. At first, my prayers were all about asking the Lord to get me out of this situation. After entering prison, my prayers changed by giving thanks to the Lord for being in the actual process of opening those prison doors.
It was my full faith in the Lord that brought about my miracle of freedom.” One could easily see that strong feelings of faith, love, and determination were running through everyone’s minds. Thereafter, Mr. Fritz went to a designated area outside the pavilion and signed many books for the people standing in line.
Now, the time was at hand for the spectacular event—the releasing of the balloons! Hundreds of multi-colored balloons were SET FREE into the sky, as a commemoration to Raye Dawn’s upcoming day of FREEDOM. The expressions of glamour and celebration were on everyone’s faces, as the drifting balloons found their way to a freedom that would never end.
The rally ended with group photograph pictures. All of the family members and guests wore their purple Fight For Freedom Tee-shirts, that were being sold for donations. Right before each picture was taken, Mr. Fritz would count to 3 and everyone would yell as loud as they could—“FREEDOM.” Needless to say, countless pictures were taken. What a day to remember. It is that very memory that is still-framed in everyone’s mind—on that very special day— that will help to bring about that glorious DAY OF FREEDOM that WILL come to Raye Dawn Smith. Hallelulla!!!!!!
FOR PHOTOS CLICK HERE

Dennis Fritz and DNA Testing

Dennis Fritz spent years in prison fighting for the DNA test that proved his innocence. Seven times he petitioned the courts for DNA testing and seven times he was turned down. The state of Oklahoma fought Dennis ever step of the way and refused to compare his DNA with evidence collected from the crime scene. When his lawyers finally obtained permission to test the DNA, the results not only exonerated Dennis but identified and helped convict the real killer.

So far, more than 200 people have been exonerated by DNA evidence, yet according to a New Report on Post-Conviction DNA Testing , (Link here) many states – including Oklahoma -- still have barriers that prevent DNA testing from being used effectively. Improving Access to Post-Conviction DNA Testing: A Policy Review provides an overview of problems with current post-conviction DNA testing laws, offers solutions to these problems, profiles cases of injustice, highlights states with good laws and policies for DNA testing, and includes a model policy.
This is the link to The Justice Project here .

According to the policy review, Oklahoma is one of seven states without a statute for post-conviction DNA testing access. (The others are Alabama, Alaska, Massachusetts, Mississippi, South Carolina, and South Dakota.) Oklahoma passed a statute in 2000, but it expired in 2005. Other states with access statutes

TJP’s policy review includes six common sense recommendations for improving state post-conviction DNA testing to create a more accurate criminal justice system and restore public confidence in the system’s ability to correct its own errors.

Without DNA testing, Dennis Fritz would still be in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. But it’s clear from this report states still have a long way to go to make sure that every wrongfully convicted person has a fair chance to prove their innocence through DNA testing.
All of TJP’s policy reviews are available on its website at The Justice Project