At this time we are restrained in what we can say, for the sake of our appeals efforts.
Make no mistake about it, this is a case of wrongful conviction. Clearly, many people want justice for the victims of this crime, as do we, but that vengeance should be directed at the correct people.
Robert Pape and Cristin Smith are not those people.
This trial has been an eye-opening experience for us. At first, we were content to believe that justice would be served and the truth would be fairly sought out. We always knew that the evidence was paper-thin and the sheriff’s investigation was poorly run. We felt sure that the jury would be presented with the paucity of facts and would rule that this in no way achieved the status of ‘beyond reasonable doubt’.
We were wrong.
Day by day, we gradually came to the realization that the goal was never about true justice.
As we research this further in the aftermath of the trial, we find that this is not an isolated incident. Wrongful convictions occur with alarming regularity. The rise of ‘innocence projects’ all across the country, and their resultant exonerations attest to this.
As it turns out, the resistance to claims of innocence is also alarming. Clear evidence of innocence is apparently met with vicious attacks and legal maneuvering. The stories are mind-bending.
If you would like to find out more about what drives a prosecutor to do this, the book ‘Blind Injustice’ by Mark Godsey is a good place to start. The case study in chapter 2 will open your eyes in a way that you will never get over. Decades of precious life lost to incarceration, and recalcitrant and unrepentant prosecution in the face of obviously exculpatory facts.
The book ‘Prosecution Complex’ by Daniel S. Medwed is another good one. It studies the motives that drive prosecutors to act as they do.
For our part, we are at the beginning of a long fight. Over time, we will discuss the nuances of this case in detail, counsel permitting. If you get to read the real details of this case, we are convinced that you, too, will understand that a second tragedy has been created were there was only one. This new tragedy was created by our so called ‘justice’ system that is operating well outside of its intended design.
The incentives are all wrong. Success is determined by winning, not by finding the truth. Thousands of innocent people all over the country are suffering and dying because of it.
We have a national crisis in our justice system. No one is immune from it. Not even you. We all believe that if we obey the law we will have nothing to fear. This case has demonstrated otherwise.
These boys were playing paintball and video games. They were even attempting to go to church. That’s all. The police systematically eliminated their exculpatory evidence and refused to look at other suspects. They went from video game players to life in prison. It can happen to anyone.
Please check back from time to time. There should be lots of valuable information to learn here. Please open your eyes and hearts to the possibility that all is not as it seems. Those trusted with our protection are operating on a flawed human instinct, and the results are devastating to thousands of people nationwide.
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Martin Niemöller
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