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Letters of Support (Redacted)
Correspondence
June 2, 1991 - June 25, 1991
45 pages
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Case Files, McCleskey Background Materials. Letters of Support (Redacted), 1991. d3644e72-acce-ef11-b8e8-7c1e520b5bae. LDF Archives, Thurgood Marshall Institute. https://ldfrecollection.org/archives/archives-search/archives-item/b6ca157f-5f2b-424c-9cda-e422f61ca945/letters-of-support-redacted. Accessed November 07, 2025.
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Sent at the request of Sister Kateri Mielnicki, sof, Vicar for®*
Social Ministry, Catholic Diocese of Savannah.
copy of letter sent to all prison ministry volunteers
copy of letter sent to Board of Pardons and Paroles.
June 21, 1991
I am writing to ask for your support in advocacy for
Warren McCleskey, who is a death-row inmate accused of
killing an Atlanta police officer.
Please read the enclosed material regarding his case,
and also Bishop Lessard's statement regarding the Death
Penalty.
The situation is urgent, and we are supporting a request
for a Clemency Hearing.. We are asking that you read
the material carefully and follow up with a letter on
behalf of Warren McCleskey, to the Georgia Board of
Pardons and Paroles, asking that his life be spared.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Sister Kateri Mielnicki, osf
Vicar for Social Ministry
SKM/gb
© Diocese of Savaunal
OFFICE OF SOCIAL MINISTRY
CATHOLIC PASTORAL CENTER
801 EAST LIBERTY STREET
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31401-5196
PHONE (912) 238-2320
June 21, 11991
State Board of Pardons and Paroles
Floyd Building, Fifth Floor, East
2 Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive, S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Re: Warren McCleskey
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
On behalf of Bishop Raymond W. Lessard, Bishop of
the Catholic Diocese of Savannah, I am writing to ask for
clemency for Warren McCleskey, who is on Georgia's death
row for the 1978 killing of an Atlanta Police Officer.
Having consulted with Bill and Lora Shain, of the
New Hope House in Griffin, Ga, I have reached the
conclusion that McCleskey shows evidence of a genuine
change in attitude and a desire to be an asset to
society.
In asking for clemency, I am taking into account
the position of the United States Catholic Bishops, who
have taken a stand against the death penalty.
Frequently, according to the U.S. Catholic Bishops,
it 1s the social, political or racial climate, rather
than the seriousness of the crime, that determines which
cases will be tried as capital crimes.
From information we have received concerning
McCleskey, he has been exposed to crime and poverty
since childhood, and racial discrimination seems to have
affected his case.
The bishops have also pointed out that the death
penalty is irreversible, and involves the possibility of
error. Conflicting testimony is the McCleskey case
makes jit very possible that an error has been made.
There is very serious doubt that McCleskey was, in fact,
the triggerman.
The finality of the death penalty is another point
emphasized by the Catholic Bishops in their statement.
Execution cuts off the possibility of a new beginning and
moral growth in a human life that has been seriously
deformed. Prison records show that McCleskey has been
a model inmate, who has caused no discipline problems.
His counselors have noted that his attitude has been
exemplary. He has been described as a "peace maker"
and one who has a "positive influence" on others in the
cell block. :
McCleskey, in a recent letter to Bishop Raymond W.
Lessard, admitted his involvement in the robbery which
Jed to the killing of a police officer. He denies,
however, that he was the killer. Testimony against him
appears to have come from unreliable sources.
Taking into consideration all the information we have
received, I believe that commutation of his sentence
would be the appropriate and just approach. I urge you
to grant McCleskey clemency and to change his sentence
from death to life imprisonment.
Sincerely,
Sister Kateri Mielnicki, osf
Vicar for Social Ministry
SKM/GB
Biorese of Savannal;
CATHOLIC PASTORAL CENTER
601 EAST LIBERTY STREET
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31401-5196
Katie Shellman,
Interim Direetor, ACLU
233 Mitchell Street 3.W.
Suite 200
Atlnnta, GA. 30303.
mn TN TN A
Ms. Katie Shellman
ACLU
233 Mitchell Street, S. W.
Suite 200
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Dean Ms. Shellman:
June 20, 1991
Enclosed is my copy of the Letter 1 wrote to the State Board
of Pardons & Paroles in behalf of Warren MceCleskey. 1 sent a
copy Lo each Board member.
hope 50.
PLease keep me informed. 1 would Like to attend the hearing 4
have one. 14 I can be of help in any other way, please Let me
know.
Hopefully £t will help ... 1 certainly
4 they
Sincerely,
Grite Albani
Paula B. Albanese
June 20, 1997
State Board of Pardons & Paroles
Floyd Veterans Memorial Building
5th Floor - East Tower
Z Martin Luther King, Jn. Drive, S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Re: (WARREN MCCLESKEY
Dean
[ am wilting to ask that you spare the Life of Warren McCleskey. 1
believe him fo be innocent of killing Officer Frank Schlatt, however,
guilty of the armed robbery. There is evidence pointing to another
person as the "triggerman) not Waren MeCleskey.
I also feel that his rial was full of neglect, injustices and many
constitutional errors. ALL the facts were not shared with the jury which
dmposed the death penalty sentence on they would have voted differently.
A professional State-paid snitch Lied to save his own skin and Zhere Ais
definately more than reasonable doubt as to Mr. McCLeskey's being guilty
of killing a police officen.
While these facts exist and are reason enough for the State Board of
Pardons & Paroles to exercise mercy and Spare the Life of Warren McClLeskey,
there is one other reason 1 would ask that you consider. In January o4
1983 Warren McCleskey gave his Life to Chriist and became a "new creation"
(17 Corn. 5:17). He 48 no Longer the person who robbed the Dixie Fuwniture
Company. God's Word states in Ezekiel 18:21-22, 25-28, and 32:
"But if a wicked man twws away from all the sins he has
committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is
just and night, he will surely Live; he will not die.
None of the offenses he has committed will be remembered
agains him. Because of the righteous things he has done,
he will Live. Yet you say "the way of the Lond is not
just." Hear, 0 house of Israel: 1s my way unjust? 1
a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin,
he will die for it; because of the sin he has committed he
wcll die. But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness
he has committed and does what is fust and night, he will
save his Life. Because he considers all the offenses he has
committed and turns away from them, he will surely Live; he
will not die. For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone
declares the Sovereign Lord."
There 48 a judge we all must face some day. 1 truly hope that he will say
To you "well done" in the decision you make regarding Warren McCleskey's
Lige.
I have personally known Warren MeCLeskey since 1987 and have visited him on
several occasions at Jackson. 1 respectfully ask that you please consider
all these facts in making your decision.
Sincerely,
Prag
od
a RTI ase
Ras
2
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FREED Eee
ET
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Fatie Shellman | Spring Valley Brudevhoo
Interim Director Fte 381 NM.
ACLU Georgia Farmington Fa 15437-9506
233 Mitchell Street 5.W., Suite 200
Atlanta GA 320303 June 22,3933
Dear Eatie Shellman
Thank you very much for your letter of June 4 1991 with the VETY
full account of Warren MoCleskey's case over the past years. It
arly confirms that there are many inconsistencies and quest ional] e
evidence used against him and that there is a high probability
that he is innocent of the killing of the Folice Officer.
I have been in close touch with Jack Bodger who advised waiting
with letters to the Board of Paroles and Pardons until every legal
avenue had been exhausted. That is why I have not written until
My.
It seems that moment has come. I enclose a copy of my letter. 4
have made my plea more on personal grounds and on the basis of
Warren's character because I feel I know him through nearly eight
years of correspondence.
I have encouraged members of our six Bruderhof communities in the
U.S. to write and I believe many will. I have also written to all
the readers of our PLOUGH MAGAZINE who are residents of the State
of Georgia inviting them to write. I enclose a copy.
let us hope the Board will have an CPEn Ear.
Thank you again for writing to me and for all you do to stand up
for the victims of injustice
Sincerely
H2reh Urol
Derek Wardle
encl: co of letter to Board of Paroles and Fardons
te of letter to Georgia readers of the PLOUGH.
Spring Valley Bruderhof
Fte 381 MN.
Farmington FA 15437-9506
Jung 21., 193)
Dear Feader of the FLOUGH
I am writing to you on behalf of WARREN McCLESKEY D-003935
Box 3377 8-100 68,.0,0.0.
Jackson GA 30133
Warren has been on Death Row for 132 1/2 YEAY E. I have been
corresponding with him for 7 1/2 years.
His case came to the Supreme Court three years ago on the basis of racial
discrimination. The case was rejected. He came within 3 days of execution.
His Attorneys found a flaw in his trial and fought it all the way up to the
Supreme Court again this year. An informer had been planted in the jail and
testified against him. Again the Supreme Court rejected the case. It seems
all legal channels are exhausted. Warren will probably be given an execution
date within the first two weeks of July.
Warren admits taking part in an armed robbery, he denies killing the
Folice Officer. He accepts imprisonment as a rightful punishment. There is
enaugh that is questionable in the legal proceedings for it to be possible
that an innocent man will be executed. His co-defendants. got off very
lightly,
In 1981 he became a Christian. He has been a model prisoner, has
conducted Bible Study with other prisoners, has been steadfast in faith and
without bitterness through all the tensions of these years. He looks beyond
himself in concern for his fellow prisoners and in correspondence he always
and respect their parents. His life has a positive influence within and
beyond the prison. Why should such a life be ended, also when there are
reasons to question his guilt?
Letters appealing for clemency and commuting of his sentence to life
could be written tos State Board of Fardons and Appeal s
Chairman, Wayne Snow Jr.
Floyd Veterans Memorial Building
Sth Floor, East Tower
Zy Martin Luther Eing Jr. Dr. B.E.
Atlanta GA 30334
If you would feel to write, both I and Warren would appreciate it
areatly.
I greet you from FLOUGH which is now based in Spring Valley. We need to
ask you for patience as we are needing to put all our energies into building
up this new community and we will not manage another issue of the FPLOUGH
perhaps until next vear. We are still very ready to sell you our books!
With warm greetings
Bewof [ord
Derek Wardle
Georgia State Board of Pardons and Appeals Spring Valley
Chairman Wayne Snow Jr. Rte 381 N.
Floyd Veterans Memorial Building Farmington PA 15437-9506
5th Floor, East Tower
2, Martin Luther King Jr.Dr.S.E.
Atlanta GA 30334 June 22, 1991
Dear Mr Snow and your Colleagues of the Board,
I am writing to you in regard to the case of WARREN McCLESKEY D-003935
who is on Death Row at G.D.C.C. in Jackson and who will probably have an execution date set within the next weeks.
First let me say that I realise the heavy responsibility you carry in considering each case. You have to consider every aspect, and while
I am sure you are open to pleas for clemency you will also not want
to undermine the law of the land or let crime go unpunished. I respect this sense of responsibility with which you will also consider
Warren's situation.
I do not pretend to understand all the legal aspects of this case.
It does seem to me however that there are at least some questionable aspects of the evidence brought against Warren, which make it possible
that here a man would be executed for a crime he did not commit.
Warren has always admitted his part in the armed robbery, and accepted
his imprisonment as just punishment. He has consistently denied the charge of murder. His co-defendants got off lightly.
However, it is on a personal level that I would plead with you to spare Warren's life. I have been in regular correpondence with Warren
for the past 7 1/2 years. I have kept every one of his letters. They
show a steadfastness, an outgoing concern for others, a complete absence of bitterness and complaint at his lot which is a challenge to those of us who live in freedom. He became a Christian in 1981 and the genuineness of his faith shows in the way he has conducted himself
in prison. I believe he is a model prisoner. More than that, he has concerned himself with his fellow prisoners, has regularly held Bible Study with them, and sought to encourage them.
In his letters to me he has shown the same concern for others. He has
prayed for members of our community who were dying from cancer, he has written to our children, encouraging them to learn and respect their
parents.
Warren's life has exerted a positive influence within the prison and
far beyond its walls. Should not such a life be spared, also when there are reasons to question his guilt?
Dear Mr. Snow and Members of the Board, I ask you most respectfully
to exercise you powers of clemency and commute Warren's death sentence
to ‘life.
Yours very sincerely
Derek Wardle B.A. /
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The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
— Sixth Episcopal District -
JOSEPH C. COLES, JR., Presiding Bishop
2001 M. L. King, Jr., Drive, S.W.
Suite 423 CONFERENCES
Atlanta, Georgia 30310 Georgia
CHAIRMAN 404/752-7800 Central Georgia
Faith and Order Commission RES.: 2780 Collier Drive, N.W. Southwest Georgia
VICE CHAIRMAN Atlanta, Georgia 30318 : South Georgia
General Connectional Board 404/794-0096 ; Jamaica
June 7, 1991
Mr. Wayne Snow, Jr., Chairman
State Board of Pardons and Paroles
Floyd Veterans Memorial Building
5th Floor, East Tower
2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30334 :
Dear Members:
It is on behalf of Warren McCleskey that I write this letter to request
clemency for his sentence of execution. I make this appeal on the basis that
it has been clearly established that Mr. McCleskey did not fire the shot that
killed Officer Frank Robert Schlatt. Nor was he the master mind behind the
robbery in which this killing was done. His conviction was based on testimony
from a paid informer, which is considered illegal. Other defendents in the
case were given lesser sentences.
Mr. McCleskey has been described as a peace maker between guards and prison-
ers on Death Row. This description shows evidence of the capacity to grow. To
execute Mr. McCleskey will be a denial of the noblest human capacity, which is the
capacity to grow.
With deep appreciation of your consideration of my support for Mr. Warren
McCleskey, I am
Respectfully yours,
.
seph C.f Coles, Jr. /
Jd ed= APE Wie lUIRUECRT Wo ubLLEN Tel HU: dud 21-1929 HI38 Pa2 SO t—
June 19, 1991
Wayne B8now, Jr., Chairman
State Board of Pardons & Paroles
Floyd Veterans Memorial Building
5th Floor, East Tower
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Dear Mr. Snowt
I am writing to you and to the other members of the Georgia
Board of Pardons and Paroles to request that the Board
commute the death sentence imposed upon Warren McClesakey to
one of life imprisonment.
I believa that serious and troubling questions remain
regarding the appropriateness of the death penalty in Warren
McCleakey’s case. As I understand the facts, the jury in
this case relied heavily upon the testimony of a police
informant, but was never told that this witness wag working
for the police, with an understanding of favorable treatment
if he cooperated. Moreover, that informant’s testimony has
since been found to be unreliable by United States District
Court Judge J. Owen Forrester. Two jurors have given sworn
statements indicating that they would not have voted to
impose the death penalty if these facts had been known to
then.
Substantial questions also exist regarding the identity of
the triggerman, and the comparative culpability of the
various co-defendants charged with the crime. Only
circumstantial evidence existed with respect to the identity of the triggerman, and substantial evidence pointed to one of the other co-defendants, who received only a 20-year
sentence.
In light of these very troubling facts, I ask the Board of
Pardons and Paroles to commute the sentence of death to one of life imprisonment.
I appreciate very much your consideration of these points in
your deliberations.
vty
John Lewis
a.
TAY AY ES ET QULL: bdo UU4 PAUL WELLSIUNE oo2
Rnited States Senate
Jume 27, 1991
Mr. Wayne Snow, Jr., Esquire, Chairman
State Board of Pardons and Paroles
Floyd Veterans Memorial Building
5th Floor East Tower
2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, S.E.
Atlanta, GA 30334
Dear Mr. Snow:
I have been contacted by a constituent of mine, Ms. XKafi Cosectte-
Sanday, about Mr. Warren McCleskey’'s application to the Georgia Board
of Pardons and Paroles for commitation of his death sentence.
From the information I received, it appears that many material
elements in the case against Mr. McCleskey are subject to miltiple
interpretations. Same of the information I have seen suggests that he
may not have been the actual "triggerman" of the atrocious murder of
. officer Frank Schlatt. The existence of such substantial doubt argues
very strongly for a complete hearing and an extensive review of this
evidence by the Board of Pardons and Parvles.
I urge you to grant Mr. Warren McCleskey a hearing before the State
Board of Pardons and Paroles and consider commiting his death sentence
to life in prison. While the mmder of officer Frank Schlatt was a
terrible, unforgivable crime, an execution based on unclear evidence
would be a calculated mistake and a failure of the American judicial
system.
PDW/dps :mxg
Mark Fenn,
2 Shoreham Court,
The Close,
) Shoreham—-by-Sea,
West Sussex,
ENGLAND,
BN4ZE SAR.
katie Shellman,
Interim Director,
fi. 0 1. Lia,
PEE Mitchell Street, 5S. W.,
Suite 200,
Atlanta,
GEORGIA, 3Z0QI03,
Li. SB. A.
1Zth June 1991.
Dear Eatie,
Please find enclosed a copy of my appeal on behalf of Warren
McCleskey. This is on it's way to the board of Fardons and
Faroles.
Thank you for vour efforts in attempting to save Warren's lite,
for his sake and for justice, I hope that we are successful.
Yours sincerely,
| ow, ne
MARE FENN
Sousa 2020 ol 26068 Se
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TIMoThY Jones
Dear members 0h The GEorqian Board q Pardons:
Thank Vou fo¢ TANG TYME Foam Your busy Schedule To road Thus le Her,
Let me beqin by frst Suing That 1 m snddened | and angered © hut in & Society nn Which acvtal | senseless murder 1s 5¢ prevalent. Each 0p when \ read amuT such Tragedy
IR Tne DAPES HT Wont TU Sevotm out son Frostumhin olor tapit. 5 tre: Po Something “ less Than a month a0 The sister of 4 very Doar Faend § mine was shoT m DeaTw By her Drunken, estranged bowfnend Who Then killed himself with Ne same hand aun. :
I Consider myself 0 be one of The mat in an ou
Viokence To stop Now |! ied also Gmvined The
Taged public who went The
Has proven Twins.
UT Gapitad puaswment s NOT THe way Kt will Happen. History moceowtle, 1'wa motally 6pfosed 0 Two dogtin eLnal iy ©! VIEW The executor and The tmdemned Two 5,0¢ 7 THE sn
The
murd ere ao repr senhing
d mE Coin. 1 will (mclude Ths cenerwlited statement Covcevnng
ch po ty by mening you To fa
aot Folvhently J \ Y wt The COUvhge TO Seek A Mole effective,
Pepultn end T™ The piood Shed.
ellen bein 4 written specifealy Concerning THE Chae df WARREN McCloskey Qa (rndemned OviSoma (n 660M Who Was uot had ts final agpeed (¢lochod bey The SuPpneime Court R The umited stutes.
Having read a Summary 7} The facts in The Mmclleskeq Cale (mi §uike Certain Tv an also aware 4 These So | went jhemive my ATG men 1s) ! Aelieuwr
TWAT There is See DOYYT Cred ked Concerning The velinailiiy @ a Witnesses Strteimen fs , a0 wid! a0 alleged polit + prosecuting misconduct alse, Gicording 1 The Summarq sent 0 me by The AcLy ¢) éeorg a, TWO Juels Who mune later polled inpicated That They wuld niT have veTed for Tw voarh,
2 na (dy had They Knauer aborT Te abowe mented witness , and allesed
MISCmpuc +. THES Wad alme | in my mind, aw an 1abicechon foi
MEYCo) , Lol Thay © fll me mone Thing, And, Tis Covld be Te botfr
Ling . JF Four people mene involued tw Can The state of Goorsa Just) fq
Killing only pu of Tho?!
Aan, My Sincerest Thanks for reed ng This, and my God Grue sou ™e
WIiSDown 7% Solomon Nn making ygur Pecisrone mcerning whe mellege.
Sincerely
Pap Lemp ee
PON
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Thank yoo fee wailing me (nfrmuahion abou T The Cine (omCeuvnming WHR
MeClesley, | Hawe been Correspmding with waren Av Sme hme , ol thegin
| had noT heard Ths [adegt Sud news.
Please Keeyd me advised 2 ny Qovelopmem £3 and Jo4 me kEnnd
If Thonn 6 thing I Can do To hep”
Caclond na Copy of The lollee ¢ wrote mn Te board 7
f irdins lon yur refusot Obviously 1d like To Know ha
The ard leg mee Te cute 5ebs That fin
Gain, 1d bein, much like To Keg Aware 2 any
Deelgpian to AND Tha nes fog (oth ne re help (
Siuserely,
os pn,
WV
June 11, 1001 ar
State Board of Paroles and Pardons
FloY< Veterans l'emorial Bldg.
5th ™oor East Tower
Martin Iuvther Jr. Drive 8.Z.
tlanta, GA 30334
Honorable Rozrd:
Pe: VIARDTN NelT TSEEY
BE Vi Aird dee i
This is an urgent avpezl that the life of WARREN
I’cCIESKEEY be spared. I base this request on severzl consid-
=IRST. From my personal knowledge gzined through cor-
respondence over the past zpproximately five vears, I know
WARREN FeCLESKIY to be a2 rerson who has accepted his in-
carceration without complaint toward either the Government or
rrison officials and policies. This exemplary behaviour, to
my mind, deserves reward, not the ultimate degree of punish-
ment.
I know him to be a stabilizing influence among fellow
inmates.
SECOND. It is to his credit that WARREN NcCLESKEY has
never mentioned to me any of the details of his crime record,
though our friendship has grown steadily. From facts I have
learned from non-family members, I seriously question that
WARREN LNcCLESKEY was the "trigger man" as alledged. Why
should BEN WRIGET, JR. be given a lesser sentence when his
"leadership in the crime has been substantiated?
e and Pardons
THIRD. Granted that mistakes may be made, even in the
Justice System. That is no reason for perpetuating the
wrongdoing in connection with the McCLESKEY trial, the:
details of which are well known.
FOURTH. TI believe substantial weight should be given
to the word of certain members of the jury in Mr, KellLESYTY'S
trial v¥hO : Cah
truzks wgr stated that had they been informed of all the
facts, they would have voted for a life sentence.
My interest in this prisoner came through contact with
Prison Fellowship, an organization dedicated to working with
prison officials, for the benefit of zl11 concerned. I am an
editor and teacher with deep concern for individuals like
WARREN lMcELESKEY who have suffered because of a background
of poverty and violence.
I do not at 211 condone his wrongdoing. But I azppezl to
vou on his behalf for a lessening of the sentence, appro-
priate to his thirteen years of good behaviour and his
consistent attitude of cooperation with authorities and
helpfulness to his peers.
Thank you for your re-evaluation of this case in the
interest of fairness.
Very truly yours,
Mildred M. Cook
JUNE 9, 1991
STATE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES
FLOYD VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING
5TH FLOOR EAST TOWER
2 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DRIVE S.E,
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30334
DEAR BOARD MEMBERS:
I AM WRITING THIS LETTER ON BEHALF OF WARREN MCCLESKEY.
I HAVE CLOSELY FOLLOWED THE TRIAL OF MCCLESKEY AND CONSIDERING THE EVIDENCE THAT WAS
PRESENTED DURING THE TIME OF THE TRIAL DOES NOT WARRANT THE SENTENCE THAT WAS GIVEN HIM.
THROUGH OUT THE TRIAL THERE WERE NUMEROUS UNCONSTITUTIONAL ERRORS. THE PROSECUTION DID
NOT PRESENT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE THAT THE CRIME WAS COMMITTED BY MCCLESKEY. ALL THE EVI-
DENCE WAS NOT PRESENTED DURING THE TRIAL AT THE PROPER TIME, WHICH RESULTED IN AT LEAST
TWO JURORS VOTING A DIFFERENT WAY THAN THEY WOULD HAVE, HAD ALL THE EVIDENCE BEEN PRE-
SENTED IN A TIMELY MANNER. MCCLESKEY'S SENTENCE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ANY' DIFFERENT THAN THE
OTHERS THAT WERE INVOLVED,
OVER THE LAST THIRTEEN YEARS SINCE HIS INCARCERATION MCCLESKEY'S PRISON RECORD INDICATE
THAT HE HAS HAD NO DISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS AND ARE NOW KNOWN AS A "PEACE MAKER" AMONG
OTHER PRISONERS.
I PRAY THAT YOU CONSIDER ALL OF THE EVIDENCE IN MCCLESKEY'S CASE. THIS MAN'S LIFE IS IN
YOUR HANDS. TO SENTENCE HIM TO DIE WOULD BE A TERRIBLE INJUSTICE.
THANK YOU FOR ACCEPTING THIS ON HIS BEHALF,
RESPECTFULLY ITTED,
re ati. ot
MARTHA BLOUNT
June 6, 1991
Mr Wayne Snow, Chairman
State Board of Pardons and Paroles Floyd Veterans Memorial Building Jth Floor East Tower
2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, S.E. Atlanta, GA 30334
Dear Mr Snow:
I am writing you and the Pardons and Paroles Board on behalf of Mr. Warren McCleskey's planned execution.
I am a business man here in the Marietta area, a community where Mr. McCleskey grew up. I appeal to you to commute the death sentence of Mr. McCleskey and I feel thatjcan speak for the hundreds of friends and patrons I serve through my business associations.
My appeal to the Board of Pardons and Paroles to commute Mr. McCleskey's death sentence is staunchly Supported by hundreds in our community.
Mr. McCleskey's conviction and death sentence is not the sole issue, jit is is, however, only a small sample of the wrong, evils and injustices committed by "man against man" jn our society today. As a Christian man, my position, along with that of my church and our entire congregation is that capital punishment is wrong, and it serves no purpose other than to further demonstrate the inhumanities to men that jit js Proposed to curtail or eliminate. :
It is not for me to determine the guilt or innocence of anyone committing a crime, (I trust that the justice System will do this and do it fairly), nor to justify crimes against persons by
(Next Page)
Mr. Wayne Snow, Jr., Chairman
State Pardons and Paroles Board
State of Georgia
June 6, 1991
Page #2
Additionally, after having followed Mr. McCleskey's case over the
past thirteen (13) years, the following points seem to leave some
degree of doubt about his guilt:
Oo There is serious doubt whether Mr. McCleskey was the
"triggerman". Much of the evidence points to Ben Wright,
Jr., who got a lessor sentence.
Oo I ask that your board consider the overwhelming police and
Prosecution misconduct that was apparent in this case, as
I see it as no more than a "mockery". No one should be put
to death from a trial with this many constitutional errors.
Oo What about the two members of Mr. McCleskey's jury who after
hearing all the evidence have now said they would have given
McCleskey life had they heard the evidence at the trial that
the Police and Prosecution covered up. With the vote of
just one of these jurors, life would have been imposed.
Finally, an exhaustive examination of Mr. McCleskey's prison
records over the last thirteen (13) years shows that he has been
a model inmate who has caused no disciplinary problems, possesses
and maintains a "good attitude". Mr. McCleskey has been a
"peacemaker" between prison guards and other death row inmates.
I feel that any person committing a crime against another person
should be punished. It's the capital punishment that I am so
much against. As a Christian I have been praying as much for
the family of Officer Schlatt as 1 have been for Mr. McCleskey.
In summary, should we execute another person who committed a
crime who had no idea or intentions of taking a life, better yet,
when this person appears to be the wrong person directly
responsible for the death of the person in question?
Pease consider my appeal to you to spare this mans life.
Thanks in advance for your consideration.
Respectfully Yours,
7
Wout Jdllodt Tol. #
Winston Strickland uz) %32 2
C: Pardons and Paroles Board Members
Rr
5 iran Fiore Baptist Conch
3 165 LEMON STREET
MARIETTA, GEORGIA 30060
PHONE 427-8749
REV. R.L. JOHNSON
PASTOR 755-1452 (KH)
ASSOCIATE MINISTERS: June 6, 1931
REV. HARRIS TRAVIS
REV. JAMES HOLLOWAY
REV. J.F. HAM
REV. CHARLES LYONS
REV. ALPHONSO JOHNSON Mr Wayne Snow, Chairman
Re¥ LARRY Fitnvia State Board of Pardons and Paroles
une Floyd Veterans Memorial Building
REV. CLARENCE ELEBEE 5th Floor East Tower
BOME OF TRUSTEES: : 2 Martin Luther Ring, Je. Drive, S.E.
DEA. ALBERT MAYES, SR. Atlanta y GA 30334
CHAIRMAN
DEA. JAMES EVERGIN
VICE-CHAIRMAN Dear Mr Snow:
DEA. PRATHER HUNTER
DEA. DANNY PALMER
DEA. THOMAS NELSON I am writing you and the Pardons and Paroles Board on
DEA. GEORGE WILLIAMS
: behalf of Mr. Warren McCleskey's planned execution.
BOARD OF DEACONS:
DEA. GEORGE WILLIAMS 1 am the Pastor of Zion Baptist Church, in Marietta CHAIRMAN
REA PRATHER HUNTER Georgia, a community where Mr. McCleskey grew up. My
DEA. WILLIE HILL church has over 850 members in our congregation, and we
Fneasunen touch thousands more through our ministries, to include DEA. DON JOMNSON o . SECRETARY the sister of Mr. McCleskey, who is an devoted member
DA. Jor NeeLy.ah, of of our congregation.
ASST. SECRETARY ;
DEA. ERNEST BEDFORD ;
DEA. JAMES EVERGIN My appeal to the Board of Pardons and Paroles to DEA. ALBERT MAYES, SR. I) ’ DEA. JOHN T. NELSON commute Mr. McCleskey's death sentence is staunchly
DEA. DASNY PALME supported by each of my members and the hundreds of our DEA. WILLIE SADDLER
DEA. WILLIE B. WILSON members, friends and supporters.
DEA. MARION J. WOODS
Mr. McCleskey's conviction and death sentence is not
the sole issue, it is is, however, only a small sample
of the wrong, evils and injustices committed by "man
against man" in our society today. As a minister, my
position, along with that of the church I pastor and
the entire Georgia Missionary Baptist Convention which
represents over 300,000 members, is that capital
punishment is wrong, and it serves no purpose other
than to further demonstrate the inhumanities to men
that it is proposed to curtail or eliminate.
While we are not in the business of determining the
guilt or innocence of anyone, nor justifying the crimes
against persons, we are very concerned about the number
of black men on death row and what appears to be an
unfair balance of them that are given death sentences
and thusly executed.
(Next Page)
A of ontion of out 125 nniveriary %
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RFE SE Sg, TP a A eR ER ET Re le od Ben dite 2a do dosniin a. men B0rthace ah ch PRR RTS OY mes iss ath aout
Jy
Mr. Wayne Snow, Jr., Chairman
State Pardons and Paroles Board
State of Georgia
June 6, 1991
Page #2
Additionally, after. having followed Mr. McCleskey's case over the past thirteen (13) years, the following points seem to leave some degree of doubt about his guilt:
-O There is serious doubt whether Mr. McCleskey was the "triggerman". Much of the evidence points to Ben Wright, Jr., who got a lessor sentence.
(0) We ask that your board consider the overwhelming police and Prosecution misconduct that was apparent in this case, as we see it as no more than a "mockery". No one should be put to death. from a trial with this many constitutional errors.
(0) What about the two members of Mr. McCleskey's jury who after hearing all the evidence have now said they would have given McCleskey life had they heard the evidence at the trial that the Police and Prosecution covered up. With the vote of just one of these jurors, life would have been imposed.
Finally, an exhaustive examination of Mr. McCleskey's prison records over the last thirteen (13) years shows that he has been a model inmate who has caused no disciplinary problems, possesses and maintains a "good attitude". Mr. McCleskey has been a "peacemaker" between prison guards and other death row inmates.
In summary, should we execute another person who committed a crime who had no idea or intentions of taking a life, better yet, when this person appears to be the wrong person directly responsible for the death of the person in question.
We feel that any person committing a crime against another person should be punished. It's the capital punishment that we are so much against. We as a church have been praying as much for the family of Officer Schlatt as we have been for Mr. McCleskey.
We now hope and pray that your board corrects the apparent injustice against Mr. McCleskey and not be led by the "Old Testament" where an "Eye for an Eye" was the way, but better yet, consider that God sent his son Jesus Christ to die for all of our sins and "New Testament" was written to show us that we all will have to answer to God for our sins (any sin) and it's his law that will ultimately vindicate us all.
(Next page)
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Mr. Wayne Show, Jr., Chairman
State Pardons and Paroles Board
State of Georgia
June 6, 1991
Page 3
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Robert L. ohnson
Pastor
oF Pardons and Paroles Board Members
i; .
4 ame od adn Sb cbalbonsbon .. . a
June 4, 1991
Effie Holt
Dear Mr. Snow and Committee,
I have been following the trial of Mr. Warren McCleskey. In a few days you and
the Parole Board will be making a very important decision about another man's
life and as the so call evidence have been stated, it was in my opinion not proven
beyond a shadow of doubt as the Law states in the Constitution of the United
States of America.
I am pleading to you and the Board before you make your final decision to spare
Mr. McCleskey's life. I do regret that the officer's 1ife was taken and I have
sympathy for Mr. Schlatt's family, but, from the circumstantial evidence that was
presented throughout the trial and the State with held vital information about
facts concerning this case of Mr. McCleskey. This I do believe the State wanted
someone to pay whether guilty or not.
This has been accomplished by sentences that were handed down to the other three
(3) accomplices. Therefore, since it has not fully been established who the actual
triggerman was, it is only fair that all parties involved receive comparable
sentences.
Thank you for your considerations.
Erie Holt
June 6, 1991
Roy E. Myers, IV
Dear Mr. Snow,
I'm writing on behalf of Mr. Warren McCleskey. I am concern about how a man can
be killed on this evidence that was presented and some vital information with held
from the Jurors, if you and the Board do not intervene on his behalf. I am
pleading with you to spare Warren's life.
I would like to bring too your attention that two (2) juror said, they would have
voted differently if they had been aware of some pertinent information and only
one vote as you know would have imposed life sentence. Also, more evidence points
to Ben Wright, Jr. who got a lesser sentence and all the others involved.
Is this justice to take another person life just so someone will pay for a crime?
I believe Warren Constitutional Rights were abused so badly that he will pay for it
with his life if you don't stop it.
I've heard that Warren has not given guards any trouble and he is more a "Peacemaker".
The Bible states, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children
of God."
Thank you for your time and consideration.
lhe
Rog E. Myers, IV
June 4, 1991
Mable Myers
To Whom It May Concern:
You and your committee now have the awesome task of making a decision about the
life of Mr. Warren McCleskey.
I am pleading with you and the Committee to spare the life of Mr. McCleskey. As
I would like to bring to your attention that his three (3) co-defendants were
given lesser sentences. In my opinion Mr. McCleskey, was not given a fair and
unbias trial by the State, withholding information and the Jurors not hearing all
important evidence. Which two (2) of the jurors have stated they would have
given Warren life and with one juror vote life sentence would have been imposed.
As records have shown Warren has been a "Peacemaker" between prison guards and
other death row inmates over the thirteen (13) years, he has been a model inmate.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
ade 2 yno
Mable Myers
6/6/91
Dear Wayne,
I want to thank you for your efforts to help WARREN MCCLESKEY,
I've been going day and night writing letters lately. I feel like a
combat vet, with all the D/P stuff, I haven't much time to write, but
I wanted you and the Board to know your appreciated,
I saw my brother after a PILGRIMAGE FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE
DEATH PENALTY, from Starke, Florida to Atlanta, Ga. for the first
time and I wondered if it would be the last. This asshole LAW the
death penalty, is the most inhumane cruelty you can ever imaginel I
write to 21 on the row. And about fifty longtimers. I also walked
from Huntsville, Tx. to Austin totaling 340 miles, to protest the
death penalty. And I testified at the hearing to reinstate the D/P
in Maine. Thank God, it wasn't voted in! I've wanted to join ACLU
but I am unemployed. I had to charge two flights and am 15008080
fight the death penalty. I don't even have electricity, I live a mile
in the woods so communication 1s a real problem. Please keep me informe
ed about Warren. Also larry Lonchar, he's my friend.
I have another one who I think is innocent. Keep your eyes on
James Armando Card, Sr. He's at Starke.
Gotta go. Please let me know what 1s going on. I have four of them
that would really UPSET me, if I lost them! Not that they all are pain-
fully less, but they'd kill innocent men rather than admit they are
wrong, re: courts,
Sincerely,
Pajame Lagy
STATE BOARD OF PARDONS & PAROLES:
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN;
I never had a brother and I "adopted" Warren McCleskey to be my
brother, since he agreed. So we've had a brother/sister relationship
for several years, and I feel he 1s no less than he fell from my mother's
womb. I love him,
I was prepared to accept him as such, thinking he had killed a
police officer and knowing that all brothers are not winners. But
Warren has maintained that he was not the "triggerman" who shot Officer
Frank Schlatt. He admitted that he was at the Dixie Furniture Store
and that he grieves but he maintains that Ben Wright, Jr. is the man
who murdered Officer Frank Schlatts
Offle Evans, had much to gain by his testimony against Warren,
for the prosecution and police He had charges pending against him,
After he testified against Warren, his charges were subsequently drop=-
ped.
Ben Wright testified against Warren, because he had "even more"
to gain—his LIFE! In exchange for his lies, he got twenty years. My
brother got a death sentence.
I believe attorneys made some bad mistakes and decisions concerns
ing this case’, But there her also been negligence on the part of the
court, concealing information from the jury, I believe this to be une
constltlonal on the part of the court. Two Jurors, J11l1 Darmer and
}
Robert Burnette would not have agreeded to a death sentence, if they
knew Offie was a pald snitch and had all the facts. But also. the
fact that Warren's case introduced statistics proving that the death
penalty 1s racially applied, yet the death penalty is still being used
and abused by the random and racist application of it, definately appears
to be unconstitutional to me,
Warren has been abused the greater part of his life. But through
thls horrible experience, he has blossomed into a wonderful person,
a very moral person. He has a great sense of remorse for his part
in a robbery for which he grieves, and has that burden for the rest
of hls life, He is a Christian and humanitarian. He would be an asset
in the community. To torture to death a man who has known abuse most
of hls llfe but who managed on death row, to rehabilitate himself with
hls appllcation of a Christian attitude, would be a violation of his
rights to life,
Let me ask you a question. If the police are allowed to use a
snitch, to convict a man; however illegal, why won't they use a snitch
to prove a man is telling the truth?
And where is Mary Jenkins? Why wasn't she ever tried on any
charges? Another deal?
The clock is ticking away and my brother's time is running out.
One innocent man already died, Officer Frank Schlatt., Please don't
repeat the crime by killing another innocent man, Warren McCleskey.
That would be premeditated murder. And you would make me a victim,
I've already beed a victim twice, thank yous,
Prayerfully Submitted,
June 5, 1991
To Whom It May Concern:
I was a fellow classmate of Mr. Warren McCleskey. I'm writing to ask you and the
Board to consider lesser punishment that what he has been given. I have notice
that his accomplices all recieved lighter sentences and Mr. McCleskey in my opin-
ion do not deserves to die in the electric chair from evidence that was given.
It was not beyond the shadow of doubt he was the triggerman. I feel Warren was
the scapegoat.
I must say, my heart goes out to the Schlatt family, but what will it gain to take
another man's life if he is not guilty. This would 'be two terrible mistakes made
one by criminals and the other by the Law.
It was ruled that some important evidence was gotten from a "State-paid Snitch"
(Evans), but the court denied Mr. McCleskey an appeal because it wasn't done
‘earlier. Now, I wonder how can it ever be too late for the truth, especially when
a man's life is on the line for a horrible death date.
As I understand Mr. McCleskey has been a model inmate and a change has taken place
in his heart.
I thank you for your consideration on this matter.
A Concern Friend
June 8, 1991
Mr, Wayne Snow, Jr,
State Board of Pardons and Paroles
Floyd Veterans Memorial Building
5th Floor East Tower
2 Martin Luther Xing, Jr. Drive, S.E,
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Dear Sirs
I am writing this letter on behalf of Warren McCleskey, currently
under sentence of death in the state of Georgia,
As you know, there remain some highly controversial issues in
Warren McCleskey's case, First, it has never been proven beyond
doubt that Warren fired the gun which killed Officer George
Schlatt, In spite of this, of the four defendants involved in
the robbery of the Dixie Furniture Store and the subsequent murder
of Officer Schlatt, only Warren McCleskey received a death sentence,
Second, testimony used to convict Warren was grossly unreliable, in
the instance of Ben Wright, and fabricated, in the instance of Offie
Evans, Third, suppression by the prosecution of the fact that Offie
Evans was a "planted" police informant was reprehensible, PFurther-
more, two trial jurors have now stated that they never would have
imposed the death penalty had they been informed of the "testimony
for freedom" arrangement between Offie Evans and the police.
It has been my privilege to know Warren McCleskey for two years,
He consistently conducts himself in a gentlemanly, courteous manner
and in a manner which reflects strong Christian character,
Therefore, based on the numerous blatant inconsistencies and injustices
centered in Warren's case and because of his sincere efforts to remodel
his life while incarcerated, I implore you to commute Warren McCleskey's
death sentence to life imprisonment,
Thank you very much,
Sincerely yours,
ESS AIS
Xaren Luderer
Betty's Creek Road
P.O. Box 129
Dillard, Ga. 30537
404-746-2134
June 5, 1991
State Board of Pardons and Paroles
Floyd Veterans Memorial Building
5th Floor East Tower
2 Martin Luther king, Jr. Drive, SE
Atlanta, GA 30334
Attn: Wayne Snow, Jr.
Dear Mr. Snow:
The buck has been passed. A case that has attracted
National attention is before the Georgia Pardons and Paroles
Board. It is now in your hands whether Warren McCleskey will
receive Justice that has been denied to him through the
Courts in our land. I am indeed grateful that our system has
so many checks and balances because if one errs, surely
another will look closely at the facts in hand before an
innocent man is wrongfully executed for a murder he did not
commit.
I have been corresponding with Warren as a Prison Pen-
Pal for about four years. In that time, I have come to care
deeply for this gentle brother who shares his concerns in an
humble and God-directed way. When I first started writing to
him, he told me whv he was in prison, and, while he did not
deny his involvement in the robbery, he was most adamant that
he did not kill the policeman. In that same letter, he spoke
of the remorse he felt for hurting his family by landing in
prison, of the sorrow for the policeman's family, and of his
own predicament in serving a sentence for a murder he did not
commit.
At that time, he was hopeful that the courts would let
him have a new trial. I have followed the news and watched
in dismay as one court after another has refused to look at
the careful evidence that Warren and his lawyer have put
together. Now, I have had a chance to look at the facts even
further, and I am simply ashamed of the Court System of the
United States.
I sincerely hope that the Georgia Pardons and Parole
Board will look with fresh, clear eyes at this case. It does
not take a jury to see that there is serious doubt whether
Warren killed Officer Schlatt. The circumstantial evidence
levied against him by the probable perpetrator, Ben Wright,
Jr., the questionable tactics of using a police informant,
swaying the jury based on the less-than-truthful account of a
man who testified for personal gain, letting another who was
just as involved in the robbery go scot free, all this points
to a trial whose aim was to "fry" a black man, any black man,
for killing a white cop.
The sad part is that Warren kept putting the pieces of
his own defense together AFTER the trial, but that no one
bothered to look at the facts. The Supreme Court used a
technical point to dismiss Warren's case without even
bothering, it would seem, to look at the merits of the case
at all. When he presented his case the first time, he did
not know that Offie Evans was a "State-paid snitch", which
makes the very testimony that helped convict him illegal.
Now we all know that Evans was used by the prosecution, and
that the State purposely hid this information from the
McCleskey defense until it was too late.
The jurors were not privy to this information either,
and at least two who have now heard the full story have said
that they would have given a life sentence, rather than
impose the death penalty if the full facts had been
presented. It would have only taken one juror to speak out,
and Warren would not now find his life in the hands of a
five-member Board.
One other thing that should be considered is Warren's
prison record. When I first started writing to him, I
wondered just how sincere a born-again prison conversion was.
Over the four years, I have had plenty of time to get to know
Warren through his letters. When you share multi-page
letters with someone you've never actually met in person,
that sharing can be more intimate than mere superficial
acquaintance. His peace-making reputation is no accident.
It comes from the deep serenity of one who knows that his
fate is in God's hand.
If you decide to pull the switch, Warren will peacefully
submit as did another 2,000 years ago crucified by the powers
in charge. History has proven that justice was not served
then, and it won't be served now. The buck stops at your
doorstep. I just hope that you have the courage not to wash
your hands of the whole affair and bow to political
expediency instead of personal integrity.
Most sincerely yours,
Rebecca B. Cope
cc Fe
Fe rtons
Georgia State Board of Pardons and Appeals
Chairman Wayne Snow Jr.
Floyd Veterans Memorial Building
5th Floor, East Tower
2, Martin Luther King Jr.Dr.S.E.
Atlanta GA 30334 June 22, 1991
Dear Mr Snow and your Colleagues of the Board,
I am writing to you in regard to the case of WARREN McCLESKEY D-003935
who is on Death Row at G.D.C.C. in Jackson and who will probably have
an execution date set within the next weeks.
First let me say that I realise the heavy responsibility you carry in
considering each case. You have to consider every aspect, and while
I am sure you are open to pleas for clemency you will also not want
to undermine the law of the land or let crime go unpunished. I
respect this sense of responsibility with which you will also consider
Warren's situation.
I do not pretend to understand all the legal aspects of this case.
It does seem to me however that there are at least some questionable
aspects of the evidence brought against Warren, which make it possible
that here a man would be executed for a crime he did not commit.
Warren has always admitted his part in the armed robbery, and accepted
his imprisonment as just punishment. He has consistently denied the
charge of murder. His co-defendants got off lightly.
However, it is on a personal level that I would plead with you to
spare Warren's life. I have been in regular correpondence with Warren
for the past 7 1/2 years. I have kept every one of his letters. They
show a steadfastness, an outgoing concern for others, a complete
absence of bitterness and complaint at his lot which is a challenge
to those of us who live in freedom. He became a Christian in 1981 and
the genuineness of his faith shows in the way he has conducted himself
in prison. I believe he is a model prisoner. More than that, he has
concerned himself with his fellow prisoners, has regularly held Bible
Study with them, and sought to encourage them.
In his letters to me he has shown the same concern for others. He has
prayed for members of our community who were dying from cancer, he has
written to our children, encouraging them to learn and respect their
parents.
Warren's life has exerted a positive influence within the prison and
far beyond its walls. Should not such a life be spared, also when
there are reasons to question his guilt?
Dear Mr. Snow and Members of the Board, I ask you most respectfully
to exercise you powers of clemency and commute Warren's death sentence
to life.
Yours very sincerely
Derek Wardle B.A.
4
PUERSE FRX To Jerrets S.V, ce Jue hk FPrdyer
Hutterian Brethren in New York, Inc. FAX(214)339-6685
PLEASANT VIEW BRUDERHOF 300 ROSENTHAL LANE ULSTER PARK NY 12487 TEL(914)339-6680
June 25, 1991
Ba roles
State Board of Pardons an
Chairman, Wayne Snow Jr.
5th floor , Bast Tower
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive S.E.
ATLANTA GA 3033¢
Dear Mr, Snow,
I am writing on behalf of WARREN McCLESKEY D-003935,
I am from a Christian Church-Community in New York State. Warren has known and been
in correspondence with some of our members for over 7 years, We feel that there have been enough
questions concerning the lengthy legal proceedings, that we fear the possibility of an innocent man
being executed.
I understand that to date Warren admits taking part in a robbery but denies the killing of a
police officer. As in all of our lives God knows the truth and will be the final judge. Recognizing
our (and the State's) position of limited knowledge we urge that Warren be spared from the death
penalty.
Our feeling is strengthened by our experience with many examples of Warren's good charac-
ter. In 1981 he became a Christian, He has been a model prisoner, has conducted Bible study with
other prisoners, has been steadfast in faith and without bitterness through all the tensions of these
years. He looks beyond himself in his concern for his fellow prisoners and in his correspondence
with us he always carries the needs of our Church- Communities, the sick, the children, He writes to
the 1st graders in our school here, letters encouraging them to learn and to respect their parents, His
life has a positive influence within and beyond the prison.
I plead with you that such a life not be ended,