DENNIS FRITZ, THE INNOCENT MAN, SPEAKS TO LOCAL AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Dennis Fritz, one of the two innocent men in John Grisham’s best selling novel, The Innocent Man, spoke to very packed auditorium of students at the Oak Park High School, near his surrounding neighborhood in North Kansas City. Having been invited by Carrie Hankins, Mr. Fritz took time off from his very busy speaking circuit, to share his dynamic story with the assembly of on-looking, eager students.

Mr. Fritz spoke for 45 minutes with all eyes glued upon him. Dennis captivated the 200+ audience with his very witty, storytelling ability. His very emotional, roller-coaster story out-of-hell— of having been falsely convicted of 1st Degree Capital Murder— touched the hearts of even the most unruliest of students. The students were so attentive and quietly focused to each and every word that Mr. Fritz spoke. Throughout Mr. Fritz’s presentation, it was so untypically quiet, that a straight pin could almost be heard hitting the floor.
Dennis spoke of his book, Journey Toward Justice, and what motivated him to write it.

On occasion, Mr. Fritz, would hesitate in silent thought—with the assembled group feeling his outright, overwhelming emotion from within. At the close of his story, which drew laughter intermingled with triumphant cheer, the students gave Dennis a standing ovation of applause.

Thereafter, Mr. Fritz signed books and visited with some students and staff. Dennis said that, "I will bring forth my story to anyone at any level. If my words can stop just one person from being falsely convicted, then, the 12 long, torturous years I suffered in prison—would be more than worth, it’s weight in gold.

WATCH SLIDE SHOW OF THE OCT. 2008 EVENT 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.
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DENNIS FRITZ SHARES HIS ELECTRIFYING STORY AT THE MIDWESTERN INNOCENCE PROJECT KICKOFF AND VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

February 15, 2008, the Midwestern Innocence Project in Kansas City, Missouri, launched the beginning of it’s celebrative kickoff, to establish their directives and goals to exonerate falsely-convicted people out of prison.
Lawyers, media, Paralegals, Investigators, and Volunteers, took their seats—following the “free lunch”—anxiously awaiting, as Executive Director, Jay Swearingen, introduced Dennis Fritz as the keynote speaker for the day’s event.

Dennis, through his positive attitude, and precise speaking abilities, conveyed the torturous account of his very painful and exhausting journey— of the 12 year nightmare that he underwent—of being falsely convicted for 1st Degree Capitol Murder. At times, during his talk, his voice would sometimes quiver as partial tears would form in his eyes.

He described the tremendous amounts of suffering that he endured throughout his horrible experience. All eyes were glued upon him, as he vividly described what prison life was really like. “Every day was filled with tremendous amounts of unbelievable stress and fear for my life.
You could never relax in prison, due to the fact that, at any time, other predatory inmates would often put sacks over their heads—with shanks (homemade knives) in hand—and steal everything you owned! If you reported the assault, then you would be labeled a “snitch” and would surely be murdered for your wrongful communication with the prison officials.”

Dennis captured everyone’s attention, when he most graciously introduced family members and their falsely convicted relatives.

To wit: Dale and Donna Horner, whose nephew Steve Allen has been falsely convicted for 17 years of allegedly murdering his wife—and, Evelyn Case, whose son Byron Case, has been claiming his innocence for the past 6 years.
The audience roared with laughter as Dennis told the story of an account that happened after he had been released from prison:

“When I was released from prison, after having spent several days with my daughter, Elizabeth, my mother and I returned to Kansas City—where I now reside. My Mom owned a 1966 Malibu Chevy, that at very first sight, I was itching to get behind the wheel.
Although I did not have a driver’s license, I got behind the wheel and put the key in the ignition.
There I was, driving down the road as a free man with zeal in my pounding heart, that was sending cold chills rushing down my spine. I realized that I had NOT forgotten how to drive a car after 12 long years.
It was GREAT!! That is, until I noticed that the gas gauge was on empty. I headed straight for the nearby convenience store with $5 in my wallet. I pulled up to the gas pumps, got out, and then realized that I didn’t know how to pump gas. It was a very strange feeling. I didn’t want to go inside the store and ask the attendant how to pump gas? Surely, he would have called the looney wagon to pick me up, and take me away to the funny farm.
I stood there pondering what to do? Then, from out of nowhere, the gas pump started talking to me!!!! I froze. The words, ‘What did I do wrong’ blurted out in my mind!!! I quickly jumped into the car and sped away, with the thought that the police would be right behind me at any time.” Later, I learned that things had definitely changed—and that gas pumps CAN TALK!!!

After Dennis’ presentation, Jay Swearingen, then proceeded to outline the parameters of the 2008 kick-start program. In an eloquent speaking style, Jay brought to light the financial aspects and barriers that would be involved in successfully moving forward to bring about the much-needed support and success for the Midwestern Innocence Project. In a free-style speaking manner, Jay brush painted his many objectives to the all-attentive audience, speaking as he slowly walked up and down the center isle that divided the seated guests.
His brilliant articulation and wholesome, honest personality penetrated throughout the congregated attendees. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind, that Jay was the MAN for the job—to help take the Innocence Project to the utmost heights of success!!!!!

Jay then introduced the new Director, Tiffany Murphy. With a huge smile upon her face, Tiffany wasted no time, as she started educating everyone—in her down-to-earth approach— as to the complicated phases of the judicial processes that an attorney must go through for their clients. Her composure was extra-ordinary!
Although the judicial guidelines seemed at first, very difficult for everyone to apprehend, Tiffany’s layman way of communicating, brought about an in-depth understanding to everyone there. Of course, by that time, everyone had finished their pizza and were whole-heartedly focused on her broad judicial explanations.

The audience asked many questions that had always perplexed them in the past. By the time that Tiffany had finished her power-point presentation, the people in the audience seemed very satisfied, relaxed, and knowledgeable as to their own particular circumstances. Tiffany Murphy!— such a wonderful, skilled, professional person and attorney, that is nothing short of a bulldog fighting for the rights of the wrongfully convicted.

The final event of the day was a book signing by Dennis Fritz. His book entitled, Journey Toward Justice, will live forever. Being the co-companion book of John Grisham’s, The Innocent Man, Dennis masterfully interwove his 1st perspective, in-depth accounts of his nightmare out of hell.
The book signing was also a success. Everyone was so interested in meeting Dennis, and found him to be such a inspirational person, as to his strength and determination, that was pivotal in helping him endure those unmerciful, 12 years of being wrongfully incarcerated.
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DENNIS FRITZ SHARES HIS ELECTRIFYING STORY AT THE MIDWESTERN INNOCENCE PROJECT

You can find Dennis Fritz's book here Journey Toward Justice Author Dennis Fritz click here On Amazon Here or Borders Books.
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

Dennis Fritz Guest Speaker Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty Kansas City Chapter

Dennis Fritz will be guest speaker at the Annual Meeting
for Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty Kansas City Chapter
Date Nov. 15, 2007 - Location - First United Methodist Church on the Independence Square, 400 W. Maple, Independence, MO 64050.
Time 7:00 P.M.
Dennis Fritz, Exonerated after spending 12 years with a life sentence in Ada, Oklahoma. Thanks to help from the Innocence Project of New York, Fritz was granted a new trial, found innocent and freed from prison in 1999.
Mr Fritz is a Board member for the Kansas City Chapter of Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty and author of Journey Toward Justice.
Dennis Fritz appeared on "Dateline," "Hannity and Colmes" and other national TV and radio shows.

A History of Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty
From MADP website:

A loosely structured statewide abolition coalition has been active in Missouri since at least 1987 when Missouri passed legislation to permit lethal injection and prepared its first execution since re-instating the death penalty in 1977. Then, MADP was an umbrella coalition comprised of regional death penalty groups in St. Louis and Kansas City, secular organizations, faith-based groups and individuals.

As we grew over the following decades, we realized that the structure of MADP was too loose to work effectively to achieve our goals. Over several months, we engaged in a process that shaped the separate organizations and individuals already engaged into a cohesive group. MADP became incorporated and received 501 (c) 3 not-for profit status in late 2005. We have approved three chapter groups and eleven affiliate groups to be members of MADP. We have a working board, a clear process for decision-making, and an active committee structure to participate in the work. We invite you to join us as we work for abolition.

Statement of Dennis Fritz U.S. SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE JUNE 12, 2000

STATEMENT OF DENNIS FRITZ U.S. SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE JUNE 12, 2000

Good morning Chairman Hatch, Senator Leahy, and other Members of the Committee. My name is Dennis Fritz. I live in Kansas City, Missouri and I am here today with my mother, Mrs. Wanda Fritz.
It is a great honor and privilege to be here on behalf of all other wrongfully convicted people around the country who are suffering unjustly for crimes that they did not commit.
In May of 1987, I was arrested for a rape and murder that I neither committed, nor had any knowledge of whatsoever. I was arrested five years after the crime occurred, and from that day forward everything went wrong throughout the entire judicial process.

I spent the next twelve years serving a life sentence until I was finally able to prove my innocence, for which my thanks go to Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld for their endless efforts on my behalf.
My co-defendant, Ron Williamson, was also wrongfully convicted of the same crime and he was sentenced to death. He came within 5 days of being executed.

We were both freed on the same day in April 1999, after it was proven through DNA evidence that neither of us could have committed the crime. The prosecutor agreed to dismiss the charges. Furthermore, DNA evidence also established who the real killer was.
At the time of the murder, I was a science teacher and a football coach at a junior high school in Ada, Oklahoma. My daughter Elizabeth was eleven years old.
I loved my family. I loved my job.

Just the fact that I was a suspect in a murder got me fired from my job. Five years later I was arrested. 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 trial began on April 8, 1988. It was a living nightmare. The prosecutor's case was almost entirely built on the lies of jailhouse snitches who got their sentences reduced for testifying against me.

Even the real killer was used by the prosecution as a witness against both myself and the co-defendant. At the time of the trial no one had even bothered to test his DNA. After I was convicted, I appealed my case throughout the Oklahoma courts. My appeals were denied at every stage of the judicial proceedings.

At the time of my conviction in 1988, DNA testing had just been accepted by the scientific community. For years while in prison, I repeatedly petitioned the courts to allow me to get my DNA tested. I was flat out denied by one court after another. By the time I got in touch with Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld, I had lost seven court decisions, and I had just about lost hope.

For twelve long years, I did not see my daughter Elizabeth or my mother. 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 eleven year-old girl should see, and it tore my heart out by not being able to see her. I was subjected to indignities that no person should have to suffer, let alone a person who was innocent of the crime.

The refusal of the State of Oklahoma to compare my DNA with the crime scene evidence was only one of the reasons why I lost all those years of my life. The other reason was my trial attorney's total ineffectiveness. First, he had no real incentive to defend me since he had only received $500 dollars for representing me in a capital murder case. And besides that, he had never handled a murder case in his life. In fact, he had never handled any type of criminal case whatsoever, due to the fact that he was a civil liabilities lawyer.
I wholeheartedly believe that if I had had adequate representation from a qualified lawyer, I would not have been convicted. I would never have been forced to endure the cruelties which Senator Leahy's bill seeks to prevent.

It is more than past time to put an end to these unmerciful travesties of injustice that occur when the truth is hidden or disregarded. I appeal to you, the Members of this Committee, to enact the necessary laws to fully assure that no human being will ever have to suffer unjustly for something of which they are totally innocent.
Thank you.