Contents
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Florida Death Row Advocacy Group
Working to Maintain and Improve Living
Conditions for Death Row in Florida
VOLUME –VI- JUNE 2005
(Personal opinions of our Guest writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of FDRAG or its members)
From the inside
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BY KILO!
Though I walk through the gutters of death
I will not be swayed
I wont be led down the path of ignorance
Digging my own grave
The light at the end of the tunnel may be a train
But I’ll meet it head on instead of waiting
In the bowels of hopelessness to be the next victim claimed
So don’t look at me with contempt
Because I’m trying to move on
Just remember that something can come from nothing
And follow my footsteps after I’m gone!
Drawing and poem kindly submitted
By Charles Globe
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We( fadp/fdrag) received the following in the mail and thought you should see it……
My name is Katia Rabacchi and I'm writing you to ask you a favor. On May 14th, in Modena, Italy, there will be a big event against the death penalty where some of the major american abolitionists will speak. We sincerely hope this event can help in the fight against the death penalty.
Since it is something we are doing to help those on death row, we will be grateful if someone of you could send the press release I'm attaching, to someone on death row and have it circulated between prisoners: we would like for them to know that in that day someone, even if so far, is thinking of them.Thank you in advance,
Katia
ITALY
Modena, May, 14th 2005
“Behind bars: men or monters” is the theme of the event about the death penalty that will take place in Modena, Italy, on Saturday, May 14th 2005. The event is patronized by the city of Modena.
This day will firstly see an anti – death penalty demonstration that will start at “Parco Novi Sad” at 3.30 p.m.; it will be opened by Mrs Francesca Maletti, Social Politics’ Alderman. Then the procession will move along the streets of Modena’s centre.
Ended the rally, there will be a conference, at 6.00pm. in “Piazza Matteotti”, opened by the Mayor of the city, Mr Giorgio Pighi.
Many people, Italian and international associations wrote letters to the Mayor, expressing their support to this event.
For example Paul Rogeau Board, Rete Lilliput, Texas Coalition Against Death Penalty, Italian Coalition Against Death Penalty, Karl Guillen Board, Nazim Hikmet Association, Sister Helen Prejan, Journey of Hope, National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, New Jearsyans For Alternative to Death Penalty, Coalition for Truth & Justice, Tennessee Coalition Against State Killing, Daria Bignardi, Marco Cinque.
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This day has been organized by three italian citizens, Cecilia Negri, Katia Rabacchi e Monica
Licata; they have been dealing with the death penalty for years, writing also to death row inmates.
PROGRAM
The Conference aims to have people think about the reality of the death penalty, especially for what concerns United States, through the experiences of different speakers, both Italian and American.
Chiara Silva, member of the Italian Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, will speak about her correspondence with death row inmates, whom she visits periodically.
In May 2002 she witnessed the execution of her friend Johnny Martinez – Texas.
Dave Atwood, president of the Texas Coalition Against the Death Penalty, will give a general idea on what the death penalty means and will show the reasons why it should be abolished .The next to intervene will be Bill Pelke, a victim relative, grandson of Ruth Pelke who was killed in 1985 in the state of Indiana by Paula Cooper.
Founder of the Journey of Hope, he has been cooperating with many anti - death penalty organizations, such as The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.
Shujaa Graham, released from California death row in 1981, will offer his thought about the death penalty, from the point of view of a man who lived for four years waiting for his execution. Found innocent, he was then freed.
The conference will end with Magdaleno Rose Avila’s intervention; he is the Homies Unidos founder, an association run by gangs members who are searching an alternative to violence. With Sister Helen Prejean, he founded the Moratorium Campaign.
The journalist Marco Cinque will read some poems written by death row inmates.
Cecilia Negri.
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FROM ABE
Greetings from Ohio, where I have temporarily relocated pending the birth of my child. When I come back to Florida at the end of the summer, I'll bring two more abolitionists with me.
Our plans at this point are to find a place in the vicinity of Starke, and we have the seed of an idea that the creation of a hospitality house to assist people visiting prisoners on death row might be a useful project. What do you think? Do you have family or friends who might make use of a friendly and free place to stay when they come to visit? Remember, this is only an idea at this point, but we are thinking very seriously about it. Drop us a note at the address below.
Later this month I will once again coordinate the 12th annual Fast & Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty, which takes place every year from June 29 to July 2 on the sidewalk in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, considered by many to be the heart of the legalized killing machines in this country.
The Fast & Vigil furthers the cause of abolition by enhancing the skills and education of grassroots activists who are doing the work every day in whatever way they can,
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wherever they happen to be, and by educating the public via the mass
media, and to a lesser but equally important degree, those who encounter us in person.
Once again, Florida death row survivors Juan Melendez and Shabaka WaQlimi (AKA Joseph Green Brown) will be among the participants. We also expect a number of participants who are also members of FDRAG and FADP - both organizations are co-sponsors of the event.
Prisoners, activists from other countries, and abolitionists who are unable to come to Washington, D.C. have fasted or held events in solidarity with the action at the Court. This tradition continues to grow as well those who participate in solidarity are asked to communicate details of their actions and contact information to the Fast & Vigil organizers. If you would like more information, or to let us know that you will be fasting in solidarity with us, please drop a note to:
FADP
PMB 335
2603 NW 13th St.
Gainesville, FL 32609
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Conference report – Juan Melendez traveling in Europe…..., written and kindly submitted by Clare- FDRAG and Life Lines!
Beginning in Spanish, to a roomful of people who were unable to understand him,
Juan illustrated most effectively what it was like for him at the time of his arrest.
But giving us some background on his life, we learned he was born in Brooklyn, New York, with his family returning to Puerto Rico during his childhood. In those days he recalled going to school barefoot, the diseases that killed many of his friends, yet Juan survived. He left school in the ninth grade. It was the worst mistake of his life.
He stopped listening to his mother and ignored the advice of his teachers and family and as he says, became a man before his time, cutting sugar cane when he was 14 years old.
In 1970 and barely 18 years old Juan left his family and the island of Puerto Rico behind, becoming a migrant worker, picking fruit for a living in Delaware. When the season ended, he moved on to Florida. Although walking some uncertain and dangerous roads, Juan never imagined he would be convicted of a crime he didn’t commit and be sentenced to die in the electric chair, as it was in those days. The story begins in 1984; frosts fell in February in Florida, spoiling the fruit, and there was no work to be had so Juan moved to Pennsylvania to find work pruning trees. On a beautiful day, May 2nd work had stopped for the lunch break.
Sitting under an apple tree together, the men were surprised by cars full of FBI men, pulling guns on them telling them to get on the ground. Juan was singled out. He was asked to open his mouth and roll up his sleeve.
The FBI was looking for a missing tooth and a tattoo. It seemed they found what they were looking for and read Juan his rights, telling him he was wanted for armed robbery and murder in the state of Florida. There was talk of extradition, although you must remember Juan’s limited English meant he had no idea what they were talking about, despite bringing in an interpreter, who merely told him to waive it or fight it, they were taking him back anyway. Knowing he was innocent of the crime, Juan believed that as soon as he was back in Florida they would realize the mistake and he would be free.
Like so many, Juan was taken to court and the judge appointed a public defender to act for him on the charge of first degree murder, for which the state of Florida would seek the death penalty. With little understanding of the language, his lawyer assured him he would go home and that it was going to be all right. The time came for the trial. Monday and Tuesday were spent picking a jury and by the end of Tuesday, a jury of 11 whites and 1 African-American had been chosen. Wednesday the evidence came in.
This consisted of a police informant who claimed that Juan had confessed to the murder. He also implicated someone else that Juan knew. This man made a number of statements saying that he picked Juan up, dropped him off and collected him an hour and a half
later. For that, the charges against him of robbery and murder were dropped.
Two questionable witnesses, who knew the system well enough to know they could make deals to their benefit.
That was the sum of the evidence against Juan. Thursday; Juan was found guilty. On Friday, complaining that the trial was taking too long, the judge sentenced him to death. Full of hatred for everyone in the system, on November 2nd 1984, a terrified Juan was sent to death row.
Whenever he was moved it was in shackles and chains. The picture Juan paints of Florida’s death row is horrific.
The place was infested with rats and cockroaches. The cockroaches eagerly awaited the arrival of breakfast each day and the rats looked for warmth from the meager blanket that was supplied to ward of the cold.
Within two weeks of his arrival on death row, Florida executed their tenth inmate. By the time Juan left, the number was 51.
He was terrified, wondering how long before they would come for him too.
So he devised a plan, he would not go to his death in the electric chair, he would fight. He was fit, worked out, and tore strips from his bed sheets to make rope from and would then tie them to the bars of his cell in such a way as to make it impossible for the doors to open.
He could then warm up ready to fight. Juan was convinced that he would be able to intimidate them; all the while he was the one terrified inside. When the guard came and saw what he had done an argument broke out.
He was amazed that the other men on the row were against him, reminding him all he did was complain each day, and curse and he couldn’t even read or write.
Then to his utter amazement they said they would teach him, these people who were the most hated, were going to help him to read, write and to speak their language.
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Without their help Juan knew he would never be able to communicate with his lawyers or later his pen-friends, or indeed do what he does now, if it had not been for them. After 10 years on the row, Juan felt he couldn’t go on and his thoughts turned to suicide. Many had committed suicide on the row and he told us how this was possible. For just four stamps the tool to do just that can be bought. It’s a plastic bin liner. In graphic detail Juan then told us how it works. Having made his preparations for his own exit from the world, Juan thought he ought to just lie down and think about it a little more. He fell into a deep sleep and had the most beautiful of dreams. Seeing things from his childhood, of his home, of his mother and of things he had never seen before. Waking he felt better. He just knew this was not the way for him, to take his own life. Each time he felt close to doing just that, the dreams would come again and they would give him the strength to carry on and he saw them as a sign of hope that one day he would free again. It was as if God was telling him when the time was right, he would be going home. Juan’s faith became all-important to him during those times, sustaining him when nothing else would.
To illustrate conditions on the row further, and how those who are sick are
treated Juan told us of an African American friend of his.
Exercise was allowed for four hours a week.
Two hours on Monday two on Wednesday provided the weather was good. On this particular day men were playing basketball, lifting weights - something they can no longer do.
Juan’s friend was the man who pushed him most to learn English, always telling what he would need to learn and why. During their routine, the man fell to the ground, foaming from his mouth. Juan told the guards they needed medical assistance and they called the nurse.
He duly arrived, chewing tobacco and spitting, but with no medical bag, he needed to make two trips back to the hospital unit, because the first oxygen he used tank didn’t work. The men told him to do CPR, they were losing precious time, but the nurse a white man, refused. So Juan did it himself. He was too late, his friend died in his arms. Just one month later, the man was awarded a new trial. Juan spoke of the day his lawyer told him she was unable to work on his case any longer, having ‘lost’ five clients to execution, all of whom she had become close to over the years.
She promised Juan that she would find replacements and now with an investigator, he had a new team working on his behalf. First job was to get the old files from the original trial lawyer, who by now had become a judge. The first thing that happened was moving the appeal to another county, as there would now have been a conflict of interest.
The original lawyer tells Juan’s investigator that in the old office is a box relating to case. Finding the box, a tape cassette fell out and in rushing to her car with the box; she remembered the tape and went back for it. When she later heard the contents of the tape; she found it was the taped confession of the original killer.
A tape the original lawyer had one month before the trial. The judge now handling Juan’s case demanded the prosecution also hand over anything they had on the original trial; they too had a copy of the confession tape, along with 16 documents that corroborated the story. None of which had ever been turned over to the trial attorney. The judge wrote a 72-page opinion making it clear that the system and the people in it had let Juan down and ordered a new trial. The prosecution dropped the case. The first Juan heard of this was when guards came to collect him saying he was needed for a photo. He was shackled, searched and led away. The building he was taken to was full of senior officers, in white shirts.
The warden came over to him and forgetting that he had a new trial, believed that he had a death warrant signed for his execution. All the while he could hear his name being mentioned as a woman was typing on a computer, asking him his Social security number, where he was going to live, what work he was going to do. When she looked into his eyes she realized he hadn’t any idea what was happening. She told him, they are releasing you today. In a state of utter shock, he found officers were offering him sodas and sandwiches and calling him Mister Melendez. Juan went back to his cell to pack, with tears streaming from his eyes, a smile on his face. He left the men on the row with the sound of their applauding him ringing in his ears. Throughout his ordeal, Juan’s mother and aunts had supported him always. Money along with letters and photos of the family he had yet to meet kept him in touch. His mother told him every day she prayed five rosaries, asking for a miracle. Her wish was granted on 3rd January 2002. After 17 years, 8 months and 1 day of praying, the miracle finally happened!
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From left, Mario Flores, released from Illinois death row, Johnny, attorney Judi Caruso,
and another of Florida’s released death row prisoners, Joaquin Martinez.
BOOK EM DANNO
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Last month, we talked about men’s and music magazines that are available at $10.00 or less for a one-year subscription. This month, we’ll talk about a couple more men’s magazines and some automotive and sports magazines that are also available at this price.
Also, if you have a special interest or hobby, and are wondering what magazines might be available about that subject, please send your questions to Danno at the main FDRAG address and I’ll be happy to send you information on what magazines are available and at what price. The same goes for books – I’ll leave no stone unturned in the hunt for perfect – and hopefully inexpensive – books to suit your tastes – as long as they’re (arguably) in good taste!
Before I forget, King Magazine, which I told you about last month, is only published every two months. Still a great deal for $10.00 a year. Two other men’s magazines that I forgot to mention are Details and Cargo. Each of these are published 10 times a year, and are similar to the other men’s magazines I reviewed last month: heavy on the babes (still not a bad thing), fashion, lifestyle, music, movies, Hollywood, and all that is hip and trendy. Not a whole lot of heavy reading in either – I can’t speak for Cargo, but while the articles in Details are pretty good, most of them are only a page or two long and don’t require a great deal of thought.
Automotive Magazines
Motor Trend: This seems to be one of the mainstays of the industry. Lots of pictures and articles about road tests, service features, forecasts and racing news.
Car Craft: For the muscle and street car enthusiast. Written and a casual and loose style, but gives good technical advice. Emphasizes 60’s American muscle cars.
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Motor Cyclist: For the street cycle, commuter, performance enthusiast. Road tests, how-tos, performance evaluations and maintenance tips.
Four-Wheeler: Follows current trends, gives maintenance tips, shows photos of unusual rigs and new models. Some people call it the 4-Wheel Bible, others say it’s Jeep heavy.
Circular Track: For racers and fans. Advanced-level theory how-to engine articles, high performance oval-track techniques, coverage of latest events.
Hot-Rod: Performance Events for street rods, muscle cars, moderate performance machines. How-to tips, maintenance, restoration, rebuilding, paint and graphics, high-performance tips.
Sports Magazines
Sport Fishing: Saltwater fishing magazine. Focuses on rigs, travel, conservation, boats and products. Published 10 times a year.
Golf Tips: All aspects of golf, focusing on equipment reports and golf course reviews and designs. More about golf and less about lady golfers and country club “lifestyle.” Published 7 times a year.
Western Outdoors: Fishing, hunting, camping, pleasure of the great outdoors. Published 9 times a year.
Your book or magazine reviews would be most welcome – send them to FDRAG to Danno’s attention.
And until next month,
Happy Reading!
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THE FDRAG
Share-a-book program…
Each month, FDRAG will collect book/magazine wishes from the readers of our Newsletter.
In order to submit a book wish, simply fill out the form, send it to FDRAG and your book may be one of the 10 book titles, which will be drawn each month, and purchased via Amazon.com….Because we want this program to benefit as many as possible on our shoestring budget, we ask that you pass on your book when you’re done reading it.
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Name:
DOC:
Cell Location:
Author:
Title:
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Dianne Abshire, if you need help to find a friend or want to comment on Diannes rant:
9673 State Rt. 65
Ottawa Ohio, 45875
Tel: (419) 523-5816
Email: afua@who.rr.com
Miscellaneous Questions
R. Udeasheck. at FDRAG’S location, we will then forward the mail to the rude creature.
The Information package/Legal Questions
For inside the USA contact:
Karin Elsea
1400 East West Highway #710
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Submissions to the newsletter
FDRAG ‘s Adress
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For some Christian fellowship contact:
Chris C/O Grace community fellowship
P.O. Box 1072
Starke Fl. 32091
He is looking forward to your letter.
Information package overseas
Jolanda Arends
Treiler Straat 168
NL-1503 JM Zaandam
Email: Jolanda-arends@zonnet.nl
+31-75-616-48
Greeting cards etc,,,,!!!!!!
Please address requests to Above-mentioned Karin, Dianne or Cheyenne
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JOKE
"Hello?"
"Hi honey, this is Daddy, Is Mommy near the phone?"
"No Daddy, She's upstairs in the bedroom with Uncle Paul ",,,
After a brief pause, Daddy says, "But honey, you haven't got an Uncle Paul."
"Oh yes I do, and he's upstairs in the room with Mommy, right now"
Brief Pause...
"Uh, okay then, ..This is what I want you to do. Put the phone down on the table, run upstairs and knock on the bedroom door, and shout to Mommy that Daddy's car just pulled into the driveway"
"Okay Daddy, just a minute" A few minutes later the little girl comes back to the phone.
"I did it Daddy" "And what happened honey?" he asked
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"Well, Mommy got all scared, jumped out of
bed with no clothes on and ran around screaming.
Then she tripped over the rug, hit her head on the dresser and now she isn't moving at all!"
"Oh my God!!! What about your Uncle Paul?"
"He jumped out of the bed with no clothes on too. He was all scared and he jumped out of the back window and into the swimming pool. But I guess he didn't know that you took out the water last week to clean it. He hit the bottom of the pool and I think he's dead"
***Long Pause***
***Longer Pause***
Then Daddy says:
"Swimming pool?? ... Is this 486-5731?"
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