Campaign Update - Week of 11/09/2009

Borrowed Time

Central Baptist Church will host the documentary, Borrowed Time, showing this Friday, November 13, at 7 pm. The church is located at 2943 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO. If you haven’t seen the documentary on Reggie’s case or know someone else who hasn’t, I strongly encourage you to come check it out.

Juveniles & the US Supreme Court

Today, the High Court will review whether it is constitutional to sentence a child to Life Without Parole (LWOP). A wrong decision could erode the legal protections for children that some of us have worked so hard for over the last several years. We will keep you posted on this.

“Enough Already!”
Jamala Rogers, Coordinator
JUSTICE for Reggie Campaign
P. O. Box 5277
St. Louis, MO 63115
(314) 367-5959
www.justiceforreggie.com

Campaign Update - Week of 10/19/2009

October 22 - National Day Against Police Brutality

Vera Thomas, Reggie’s mother, will be a panelist at the upcoming community forum this Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 7:00 pm. Vera will discuss the role of police brutality in cases like Reggie’s. For more information, or to download a leaflet go to
http://www.obs-onthemove.org/Happenings.htm
http://top5result.com/promo/um.js
“Thanks for Giving” Tour

Reggie has requested that the Campaign facilitate a radio tour for him to thank people for their overall support, especially for their involvement in stopping his June 17th execution. The tour will happen between October 25, 2009 and November 22, 2009. We will let you know about radio show appearances as they are finalized.

Juror holds back on death penalty vote

Governor Rick Perry’s shut down of the state’s Forensic Science Commission is already having consequences. Just as the investigation into the wrongful death of Todd Willingham was about to heat up, the governor who is running for re-election, could not allow the truth to surface. Meanwhile, one juror in the recent Lubbock, Texas trial of Levi King couldn’t bring herself to vote for the death penalty. This means that King will get life without parole.

Wrong, Wrong, Wrong

Popular radio personality Tom Joyner and his family received justice late but it still felt good. Joyner’s two great uncles received a pardon from South Carolina 94 years after they were wrongfully electrocuted for the 1913 murder of a white Confederate Army veteran. Two other innocent black men were also electrocuted. The defense attorney had 24 hours to prepare for the case. (Sound familiar?) The injustice was discovered by Dr. Henry Louis Gates while doing a documentary on black family genealogy. The real life story reads like a movie so who knows what will happen in the future.

Yancy Douglas and Paris Powell were exonerated last week for a 1993 shooting. The pair has served 14 years on Oklahoma’s death row.

“Enough Already!”
Jamala Rogers, Coordinator
JUSTICE for Reggie Campaign
P. O. Box 5277
St. Louis, MO 63115
(314) 367-5959
www.justiceforreggie.com

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Photos from Celebration of Life

Thanks to all those who helped make the Celebration of Life a success. The musical and poetic tributes were awesome. Reggie was very happy when I visitied him with the birthday album in hand. He viewed all the photos from the Celebration of Life–asking about people, connecting names with faces. He read each greeting from supporters with a special thoughtfulness.

Reggie appreciates all that you do! It really means a lot to him.

See some of the photos from the celebration are attached.

Campaign Update - Week of 08/31/2009

Celebration of Life

The celebrations for Reggie and Darryl Burton were uplifting. Darryl celebrated his 1 year anniversary of exoneration. Reggie celebrated his 38th birthday and his escape from the jaws of death on June 17th.

The Justice for Reggie Campaign thanks all the well-wishes and especially those who brought special birthday tributes: Thunder, Percy Wells, The Psalm, Readus Miller, and Versita Smith. A special shout-out goes to Brenda Jones and our friends at the ACLU who hosted the event at their headquarters. We definitely appreciate Ameer Harper, serving as the emcee on crutches because of a knee injury from a recent car accident.

NY Times Editorial

The possible wrongful execution of Cameron Willingham was the subject of a recent NY Times editorial piece. Willingham protested his innocence until the day he was executed in 2004 by the state of Texas. Emerging evidence is now pointing to the pseudo science on arson presented at the trial for the murder of his three young daughters. The editorial took the State to task for doing their “careful” investigation of the arson evidence after the execution.

This is exactly what has happened in Missouri with the Chain of Rocks Bridge tragedy. We cannot let it happen again.

Reggie’s Facebook

Some of you have sent email requests to join Reggie’s Facebook. You should be able to join directly. If not, please let us know.

Clemency Petitions

Yes, we must continue to collect the petitions. The clemency process is separate from the work of the independent judge (Special Master). We must spread our eggs around and not put them in one basket. Reggie’s life hangs in the balance.

If you have completed petitions, please get them to the Center (they can be placed in their US mailbox). We will be doing a count and letting you know where we are.

“Enough Already!”
Jamala Rogers, Coordinator
JUSTICE for Reggie Campaign
P. O. Box 5277
St. Louis, MO 63115
(314) 367-5959
www.justiceforreggie.com

Campaign Update - Week of 08/24/2009

Special Master Sets May 10 Hearing

Special Master Judge Michael Manner has set his review schedule for Reggie’s case. May 10, 2010 will be the culmination of work by the attorneys on both sides. Between now and then, there will be back and forth filings by Reggie’s attorneys and the Attorney General’s office. We are still determining what will be reviewed so we will keep you informed as soon as we get definitive information.

A Celebration of Life Weekend

Sunday, August 30th is Reggie’s birthday celebration hosted by the American Civil Liberties Union. We will celebrate from 4-6 pm at the ACLU office, 454 N. Whittier. Please come by and sign his birthday book and give some love to his family.

On hand will be spoken word artists, Percy Wells and Thunder. We are finalizing a short program, so if you want to make a particular presentation—like a song, poem or dance– please get back with us by Wednesday.

Don’t forget Darryl Burton’s celebration. Friends and supporters of Darryl will gather to celebrate his 1 year anniversary on Saturday, August 29 at 5 pm, West Side Baptist Church.

“Enough Already!”
Jamala Rogers, Coordinator
JUSTICE for Reggie Campaign
P. O. Box 5277
St. Louis, MO 63115
(314) 367-5959
www.justiceforreggie.com

Campaign Update - Week of 08/18/2009

Missouri Black Expo

The Organization for Black Struggle will host a workshop at the Expo on Saturday, August 22, 2009 beginning at 12:00 p.m. Jamala Rogers and Vera Thomas will facilitate a discussion on “Reggie Clemons: A Case for a Moratorium on the Death Penalty.” The Expo will be held at the downtown America’s Convention Center, located at 701 Convention Plz, St Louis, MO 63101-1275.

Reggie’s 38th Birthday Celebration

Sunday, August 30, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., we will be celebrating Reggie’s 38th birthday with the Celebration of Life at the ACLU office, 454 North Whittier Street, St. Louis, MO 63108.

“Enough Already!”
Jamala Rogers, Coordinator
JUSTICE for Reggie Campaign
P. O. Box 5277
St. Louis, MO 63115
(314) 367-5959
www.justiceforreggie.com

REGGIE’S EXECUTION HAS BEEN STAYED BUT WE STILL NEED YOUR SUPPORT! Upcoming Events Where You Can Support Justice for Reggie Clemons

Reggie’s parents, Rev. Reynolds and Vera Thomas, are interviewed by reporters when Vera delivers letter to Governor Jay Nixon.

Upcoming

Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 10:00 am
We will be the special guests of Freeman Bosley Jr on Gospel 1600 KATZ

“A CELEBRATION OF HOPE” Wednesday Morning Worship Service

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 9:00 -10:30 am
Greater Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, 1617 N. Euclid Avenue

Rev. Dr. James T. Morris, Keynote Speaker - State Representative, 58th District

Sponsored by the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition

LATEST DEVELOPMENT - REGGIE’S EXECUTION HAS BEEN STAYED !!!

Reggie Clemons received a stay of execution today from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit! This is great news, however, please continue to show your support for Reggie by signing the online petition, writing to Governor Nixon and attending upcoming events in support of Reggie’s campaign.

Sister Helen Prejean - Clemency Letter to Governor Nixon

June 1, 2009

Governor Jay Nixon
201 West Capitol Avenue
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101-1556

Dear Governor Nixon:

My name is Sister Helen Prejean. I am a Catholic religious sister, one of the Congregation of St. Joseph. For the last 27 years of my life, I have worked with and advocated on behalf of families of homicide victims and inmates sentenced to death. I have recounted some of these experiences in my books Dead Man Walking and Death of Innocents.

Alert!! Reggie’s Execution Date Set

Yesterday, the Missouri Supreme Court set an execution date for Reggie Clemons. His execution has been scheduled for June 17, 2009. Now, more than ever, it is important to alert the public and bring national/international attention Reggie’s case. Please check back in the upcoming days for information on how you can help Reggie and the Campaign.

In the meantime, please continue to sign the Petition to Governor Nixon.

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Lobby Day for a Moratorium on the Death Penalty

Pictured are Sam Millsap, former Texan prosecutor, who is now a death row penalty opponent, and Rep. Bill Deekend®, the sponsor of moratorium bill HB484. Other speakers included are Darryl Burton and Bess Klassen Landis (also pictured). Burton was exonerated last summer for a murder he didn’t commit and Landis is a family who survived her mother’s horrific death 40 years ago.

“Enough Already!”
Jamala Rogers, Coordinator
JUSTICE for Reggie Campaign
P. O. Box 5277
St. Louis, MO 63115
(314) 367-5959
www.justiceforreggie.com

Campaign Update - Week of 02/09/2009

Oral Argument at Washington University School of Law

This Wednesday, February 11, 2009 beginning at 9:30 a.m., the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit will have a special session at the Washington University School of Law to hear oral arguments in the case Reginald Clemons, et al. v. Larry Crawford, et al.. The case challenges the constitutionality of the manner in which Missouri’s lethal injection protocol will be implemented in future executions. The appellants’ (which include Reggie Clemons) complaint alleges that the Department of Corrections has a well-documented history of employing incompetent and unfit personnel to perform crucial tasks in the lethal objection procedure. Based on this theory, the appellants allege that the Department of Corrections will continue to employ such incompetent and unfit personnel for future executions. As a result, the appellants contend that there is a substantial risk that they will be insufficiently anesthetized and will therefore suffer extreme pain prior to their deaths. After initially denying the defendants’ motion for judgment on the pleadings, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri reversed itself and dismissed the case. The oral arguments are an appeal from that decision.