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

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Dennis Fritz Favors Bill That Would Halt the Death Penalty in Missouri

Dennis Fritz, Author of "Journey Toward Justice". Dennis Fritz, the "co-conspirator" in Grisham's 2006 book, "The Innocent Man", Favors Bill That Would Halt the Death Penalty in Missouri...
A man wrongfully imprisoned for 12 years for murder who was profiled in John Grisham's nonfiction best seller "The Innocent Man" urged lawmakers Thursday to support a three-year death penalty moratorium in Missouri.
Dennis Fritz, the "co-conspirator" in Grisham's 2006 book, told the House's Crime Prevention and Public Safety committee Tuesday that capital punishment should be suspended until the state can review the cases of inmates sitting on death row to ensure the convictions were proper and accurate.
"There are many, many other people out there -- it's my opinion -- on death row that are innocent," said Fritz, , who was in an Oklahoma prison from 1987 to 1999 serving time for the rape and murder of a cocktail waitress he did not commit.
The committee heard testimony about House Bill 1870. If passed into law, it would impose a moratorium on all executions in Missouri until Jan. 1, 2012 and establish a commission to study the court system's use of the death penalty.

The wife of a Columbia man murdered in Christian County in 2005 also testified, saying she "sits on the fence" as to whether the man accused of torturing her husband and injecting him with a lethal dose of cocaine should get his own lethal injection.
"Most of the time I don't think the state should be in the business of killing its citizens," said Ginger Masters, 50, the widow of David Masters, a former Macon County prosecutor.
"But then comes along some particularly heinous murder, and I think, 'You know, that person may really deserve to die for that crime.'"

The trial of Thomas R. Naumann, 49, in Masters' slaying has been postponed until October. His alleged accomplice, Crystal D. Broyles, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and is serving 13 years for the March 2005 murder, Ginger Masters said.
Since her husband's murder, Masters said she's researched the inconsistencies in jury pools of death penalty cases and remains undecided. However, the Christian County prosecutor, Ron Cleek, has contended Naumann should get the death penalty.
There are currently 44 people on death row, a process that can often take a decade or longer to complete, according to the bill's sponsor, Rep. Bill Deeken, R-Jefferson City.
Under Deeken's bill, the death penalty commission would include two members of the Senate; two members of the House; a murder victim's family member; a family member of a person on death row; the attorney general; the state public defender; a defense attorney; and a prosecutor appointed by The Missouri Bar. Once formed, the commission would hire an executive director, Deeken said.

The commission would study the current slate of prisoners facing execution, plus all other cases in which it was sought dating back to 1977.
Deeken said it would be charged with determining whether defendants sentenced to death are in fact guilty of first-degree murder; whether defendants were provided adequate counsel; and whether prosecutors who seek the death penalty do it consistently across the state.

The more controversial component would include studying whether race plays a role in determining which defendants are sentenced to death.
"People don't want to always admit it, but mistakes do happen," he said.
Deeken said he supports capital punishment. "I want to make sure that the person, regardless of race, is the right person (being executed)."

Fritz and his co-defendant, Ron Williamson, the principal character of Grisham's book, were eventually exonerated in 1999 and the actual perpetrator was convicted shortly thereafter.

Playing what he described as "devil's advocate," Rep. Jeff Roorda, D-Barnhart, asked Fritz whether he thought the man who committed the crime that sent him to prison for 12 years should be executed.
"No," Fritz responded, adding that life in prison is an ample sentence.
Kevin Green, 49, a Jefferson City resident, agreed. He served 16 years in a California prison for the death of his unborn daughter until DNA and a confession from the killer exonerated him in 1996.

The man who attacked his near-term pregnant wife and killed their unborn daughter is awaiting death row in California, but Green doesn't want him executed.
"I want the man who killed my daughter ... to suffer until it's God's decision when he goes," Green said. "I know what that's like and I want him to experience it forever."
While no vote was taken, Rep. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, said the bill deserves a debate on the House floor because blacks are statistically executed more often than other races.

State Reps. Charlie Norr and Sara Lampe, both Springfield Democrats, are co-sponsors of the legislation, which has 55 other co-sponsors. Representatives from the Missouri Catholic Conference and the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers also voiced their organization's support of a moratorium.
"Under the current system, we definitely need to make sure we have our facts straight before we keep killing people," Norr said.
Rep. Scott Lipke, R-Jackson, said current law already makes it difficult for a jury to sentence a murderer to death.
"My sense is this is a vehicle to totally do away with the death penalty," Lipke said.
Source; Chad Livengood • News-Leader • April 2, 2008

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