Campaign Update for Week of November 12

Reggie and AI Write-a-Thon
Once again, our Amnesty International friends have chosen Reggie’s case as one of the case’s for their annual Write-a-Thon. AI members are encouraged to write Reggie as part of their support for this case.

George Allen Finally Released after 30 Years
Allen was released yesterday for a murder he didn’t commit. We appreciate the efforts of attorneys and organizations committed to overturning wrongful convictions as that road is long, rocky and expensive.

Last week Cole County Judge Daniel Green vacated the murder and rape conviction of Innocence Project client George Allen Jr. based on the State’s failure to disclose numerous pieces of evidence, including blood test results that point to Allen’s innocence. Allen was convicted in 1983 and has served more than 30 years behind bars. St. Louis prosecutor Jennifer Joyce agreed not to re-try Allen but Attorney General Chris Koster appealed the judge’s decision. It seems he had a change in that decision perhaps based upon people challenging such a continuation of injustice including Congressman Lacy Clay.

Below is a brief description of Allen’s case from the Innocence Project’s website. You will see striking similarities in how the police obtain their forced confessions in Reggie’s case and that of George Allen’s. Any vulnerability is used against the suspect for the purpose of closing the case, especially if it is a high-profile case.

Allen was initially arrested for the 1982 rape and murder of Mary Bell, a St. Louis court reporter, when police misidentified him as a suspect in the case. According to the court, after realizing their mistake, detectives decided to interrogate him anyway. Allen, who is a diagnosed schizophrenic, gave a recorded confession, which one of the interrogating officers has since conceded was questionable. On the recording, Allen informs the officers that he is under the influence of alcohol, and throughout the interrogation the detective prompts Allen to give him answers that fit the crime.

Report on September 2012 Hearing for Reggie Clemons

By Jamala Rogers, Coordinator for the Justice for Reggie Campaign


Reggie is eternally grateful for all those who actively assisted in the actualization of his evidentiary hearing that was held September 17-20 in the Carnahan Court Building. He, his family and the Justice for Reggie Campaign acknowledge this has been a painful ordeal for all the families involved. We know that members of the Kerry and Richardson families attended the hearing. It is a complicated case based upon the circumstances and numbers of people involved. It was further muddied by the roguish misconduct of Prosecutor Nels Moss and St. Louis police officers, Chris Pappas and Joseph Brauer.

The evidentiary hearing conducted by Judge Michael Manners is unprecedented in Missouri judicial history. The Missouri Supreme Court appointed Judge Manners as a special master three years ago to independently review the case.
The hearing was not a criminal trial; it was a hearing officiated by a judge who could exercise discretion in his judicial decisions. He appeared to be even-handed in his approach to both sides, even sometimes allowing the legal teams to negotiate one another’s objections.

We are closer to truth and justice than we’ve been in the 20 years of the case. That is what the fight has been for—truth and justice. Our hope is that this is the goal for all those directly and indirectly involved in the case. It is certainly the lofty goal of the judicial system but as we’ve seen many times, the goal can be derailed whether maliciously or unintentionally. The Campaign has always viewed the hearing as a space for all families involved to get information and insight relative to the case, not just a space for Reggie’s side to be aired.

For those not in the courtroom and with no access to Twitter, Facebook, etc, their hunger for information about the hearing came mostly through the mainstream media. The coverage was a bit anemic of objectivity and depth and so many still have hunger pains. I want to address a few issues of the hearing that we received the most responses about.

Police Brutality
The accusation of forced confession came not just from Reggie. Both Marlin Gray and Tom Cummins echoed the same complaint. Their accounts of brutality and coercion were basically the same—beaten about the head and torso, given a script to read, etc. The divergence in similarity occurred when Reggie and Marlin received death sentences based upon their confessions and Cummins received a $150,000 settlement from the St. Louis Police Department.

Witnesses for Reggie, including his mother and sister who saw him within days of the beating, testified that they saw a swollen face. We already know that Judge Michael David sent Reggie to the hospital for medical treatment after he appeared in court for his arraignment. Witnesses for the state all testified that Reggie’s face was perfectly normal and that he never informed staff at the police department that he had been beaten. Sometimes these individuals saw Reggie minutes after others who saw his distorted face. Medical reports confirm the validity of Reggie’s account.

Prosecutorial Misconduct

One of the most damaging pieces of evidence related to Nels Moss’ manipulation of evidence was the original police report on Cummins’ confession, which contained margin notes by Moss to “omit” or to make changes to the report. The final, sanitized version was void of any of damaging or inconsistent comments by Cummins. Reggie’s defense team showed the original report and the edited report side by side on the court’s big screen for all to see. Moss testified that there were no differences in the two reports.

Moss was caught in a number of half-truths and outright lies as he squirmed on the witness stand. At one point, Reggie’s attorneys asked a series of questions regarding contradictory statements made by Cummins and the officers accused of brutality. He had to ask Moss several times whether that meant someone was not telling the truth before Moss mumbled yes it did mean such.


Pleading the 5th
Again, because this was not a trial on the entire Chain of Rocks Bridge case, part of Team Clemons’ legal strategy was to focus on particular elements of the case. Prior to the hearing, all parties knew that Reggie would be taking the 5th on issues that his legal defense deemed irrelevant to their case. On the stand, Reggie answered those questions directly related to whether he was involved in the murders of the Kerry sisters and he maintained his innocence as he has for the past 21 years. This is precisely the crux of the case: Should Reggie be executed if there is no evidence that links him to murder?

Assistant Attorney General Susan Boresi did what any prosecutor worth their salt would do—she used the opportunity to paint her account of the Bridge incident by asking a number of questions knowing that Reggie would plead the 5th. Hence, the media’s provocative headlines of “Pleads the 5th 30 times.” Because there was no jury, Boresi’s tactic was not as impactful.

Of note here and illuminating the bias of media, at one point Judge Manners asked the Internal Affairs officer who investigated Reggie’s brutality complaint about whether Pappas and Brauer had pled the 5th during their statements for his report. Both officers had pled the 5th during the investigation but this didn’t get the same media attention as Reggie’s plea.

DNA Evidence

You may remember that a rape kit for Julie Kerry was mysteriously uncovered in police custody just weeks before Reggie’s first scheduled hearing in 2010. Judge Manners immediately ordered testing. Retested were a swatch from Marlin’s pants and boxer shorts.


Representatives from the State Highway Patrol and a private company testified as to the results. Regarding the DNA evidence on the clothing items, the DNA experts used the vague phrase “could not be excluded” when referring to profile matches for Reggie. Under cross examination by Reggie’s attorneys, the DNA technician admitted that there was no exact DNA match for Reggie in any of the evidence tested. Further, she admitted that contamination of the evidence was possible and that there was no scientific way to prove how old the DNA deposits were.


The DNA evidence was not the smoking gun the state had hoped for but the onus of proof is not on them–it is on Reggie.


While the hearing answered some questions about this complex case, it also raised other questions by supporters such as:

• If the police brutality accounts of Reggie, Marlin and Cummins were virtually the same, why were Reggie and Marlin’s allegations recommended for no discipline while Cummins received a $150,000 settlement?
  
• What will happen to people who appeared to have perjured themselves in the original case or during the evidentiary hearing?
  

Judge Manners is in a unique position look at new evidence and testimonies as well as to review old evidence and testimonies that had been procedurally barred in the appeals court. No one has ever had the authority, will and access to the expanse of this case. Judge Manners has set the beginning of November as the deadline for both the state and Reggie’s legal team to submit any other evidence including depositions of witnesses who could not attend the hearing. Both sides must present their written arguments in the beginning of December.


It is anticipated that after the first of the new year, Judge Manners will began the arduous tasks of combing through piles of evidence—audio and video tapes, exhibits, court transcripts, etc. We don’t know how long this will take. Ultimately, the judge will send his recommendation to the Missouri Supreme Court who must make its decision. Again, we don’t know how long this decision-making process will take.


What we do know is that getting to such an evidentiary hearing has been an extraordinary journey. We are appreciative to the Missouri Supreme Court for its due diligence. Those able to attend the hearing cited it as a memorable experience and a great lesson in better understanding our judicial system.


As we wait for the decision-making process to come to an end, the Campaign will continue its efforts to keep you updated, to raise the troubling issues in Reggie’s case (and many other death penalty cases) and to make sure justice prevails.

This is Reggie Weekend--Wear Green!!

A Faith Based Worship Service & Justice Rally
4:00 -6:30 p.m. Sunday, September 16, 2012 at Lane Tabernacle C.M.E. Church - 910 N. Newstead, St. Louis MO.63108. The Documentary “BORROWED TIME” will be viewed @ 3:00 p.m. This event is hosted by Dr. James T. Morris & Rev. Vickie C. Caldwell.

Stay strong, Reggie!
Amnesty International wants your help to create a journal for Reggie – one that he can draw strength and inspiration from. Reggie’s father, Rev. Reynolds Thomas, is standing by, ready to give your messages of support directly to Reggie. Add your message to Reggie’s Journal now by following this link.

Campaign update for week of September 10

Reggie’s case on WGNU 920 AM Radio
Join the conversations:
Tuesday (this evening) at 5 pm, “On the Case” with Hope Whitehead and Jerryl Christmas.
Thursday, September 13 at 7 am on the “Bernie Hayes Show”

Rally for Justice
Fill Kiener Plazer this Saturday. Spread the word! Bring a signed petition to the rally.

Campaign update for week of August 20

Birthday Celebration
Tef Poe will be the featured artist to perform at the Reggie Clemons’ Birthday Concert on Thursday, August 30, 2012. Supporters will celebrate Reggie’s 41st birthday at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd from 7:00-9:00 pm.

Joining Tef Poe will be a host of performers including Scripts N Skrewz, Cheeraz Gorman, Benny DeShields, Versita Marie, Vandalyzm, Nato Caliph along with Ben Chandler and the Spirit of Praise. C. Jay Conrod will emcee the event. This is a free and public event. Spread the word!

New & Improved Website
The Justice for Reggie Clemons website is up and running. We believe all the kinks with the petition have been worked out. It’s a little bit different to sign the online petition but all you have to do is put your name in the space and hit “Ask” and your name will be recorded. Click here to sign the petition.

Campaign update for the week of August 13

Reggie’s Birthday Concert
Members of the St. Louis hip hop community are the driving force behind Reggie’s 41st birthday celebration. The celebration will also include praise dancers and spoken word performers. Join us on Thursday, August 30 from 7-9 pm at the Regional Arts Commission. An email announcement will be sent in another email. Help us spread the word!

Additions to Reggie’s List of Influentials
Tef Poe, C. Jay Conrod and Justin “MacGyver” Tolen are progressive artists and promoters in the St. Louis Hip Hop Nation. They have joined Reggie’s List of Influentials and by doing so agree to commit to using their resources and influence to ensure justice for Reggie. They have joined the growing number of influential supporters in our labor, faith, civic, business, political, academic and entertainment communities.

Missouri Supreme Courts say NO to Koster
Yesterday, the MO Supreme Court declined to set execution dates for six death row inmates in response to a May 2012 request by Attorney General Chris Koster. The Court says it is “premature” to set dates until the courts decide if Missouri ’s new execution method that uses propofol is constitutional. This is not a radical move by the Court; it is consistent with the process of not setting dates when there is pending litigation.

Campaign update for week of July 30

Black and Green Forum
Don’t forget to join the discussion on Vigilante Groups & the Criminal Justice System on Wednesday, August 1 at 7 pm. Vera Thomas (mother of Reggie Clemons) and Meredith Reese (Amnesty) will be part of the panel. The event will be at Legacy Books, 5249 Delmar.

UK in the Lou
For a short time, Lord Ken MacDonald and Kim Manning-Cooper were in St. Louis checking on our progress to end the death penalty. Ken is a leading attorney and serves in Great Britain’s House of Lords, heading up the committee on the death penalty. Kim is from Amnesty International in Great Britain.We were honored to have their presence, their insights, and the power of their work here in Missouri. Before coming to the Lou, both had spent time in California supporting the efforts of citizens to end the death penalty with Prop 34. Look for Jamala ’s interview with MacDonald in the St. Louis American this week.

Save the dates!
August 30 is Reggie’s 41st birthday
September 15 is Reggie’s pre-hearing rally. Kiener Plaza
Details to follow.

Campaign update for week of July 23

Save the dates! Details to follow.
August 30 is Reggie’s 41st birthday
September 15 is Reggie’s pre-hearing rally

Black and Green Forum
Join the discussion on Vigilante Groups & the Criminal Justice System on Wednesday, August 1 at 7 pm. Vera Thomas (mother of Reggie Clemons) and Meredith Reese (Amnesty) will be part of the panel. The event will be at Legacy Books, 5249 Delmar.

Changes in Lethal Injection Drugs
The debate about what drugs will be used in executions and who administers then is heating up. The supplies of sodium thiopental have dried up so states like Georgia and Texas have moved forward on using a single drug: pentobarbital. Last week Texas executed Yokamon Hearn with the one drug. Yesterday Warren Hill’s execution in GA was stayed because of the abrupt change in the state’s execution protocol. Hill is also mentally retarded which raises another issue of constitutionality. Missouri has decided to use the controversial drug propofol in its executions. That decision now faces a court challenge. With all of the drug use, the moral and ethical issue of doctors being involved is also coming to the fore.

Campaign Update - Week of 7/2/2012

Independence Day
It’s the day that many wrongfully convicted men and women in the U.S. claim when they are released after serving 10, 20, or 30 years of prison. Sadly, there are many who await their Independence Day as the wheels of justice creak ever so slowly. Let’s remember them and their struggles for the truth that leads to their ultimate freedom.

Court Challenge to Lidocaine
Last week, Reggie and 20 other Missouri Death Row inmates were named as plaintiffs in a petition to the Cole County Court regarding the latest change in the state’s lethal injection protocol. Because of a shortage in the lethal injection drug sodium thiopental, the state seems to have arbitrarily made a decision to use propofol as its replacement. We reported in our last campaign update that propofol needed to be administered and monitored by a licensed doctor. However, Attorney John Simon informed us that the move to make propofol a prescription drug after pop star Michael Jackson’s death was unsuccessful. However, Lidocaine is a federally regulated substance which will be used in conjunction with the injection of propofol. As a prescription drug, the petition states that Lidocaine does have to be prescribed by a medical practitioner who is “licensed by law to administer such drugs. We’ll see how the courts rule on this.

Missouri Executions
Michael Tisius had been scheduled for execution on August 3 but his execution has been stayed. There are no execution dates set right now but we will continue to keep our eyes on Attorney General Koster’s office and the Missouri Supreme Court.

“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 6/25/2012

September 17 Hearing
We have roughly two months until Reggie’s hearing. Supporters have been asking what they can do. It is important to talk about the elements in Reggie’s case that plague most wrongful convictions–poor legal representation, forced confessions, prosecutorial misconduct, biased jury, etc. There is still a great need to educate the general public on the flaws of the death penalty system. That education can happen in one-on-one conversations with friends and co-workers or through blogs, letters to the editors or as an expression on a talk show. The point is to raise the death penalty in the public discourse for debate and agitation.

Other ways to support Reggie is to collect signatures for his clemency petition. A petition can be downloaded at the website. Click here: http://tinyurl.com/7ysqt4v. With summer upon us, there are a number of venues where signatures can be collected.

There are also short videos that you can circulate via email, Facebook, etc. or post to your group’s website. Here are a few you can use:

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC5TWB1K5ug (Amnesty International)
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCA3vgE4gts&feature=related (Borrowed Time documentary promo)
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVSPKeDrAV4&feature=plcp (Vera Thomas on MSNBC Show)

Reggie’s Website
The website is still under new construction. The online petition is not operative and there are a number of other issues. We hope to have a new and improved site in the coming weeks so that we can keep the world abreast of Reggie’s case. We appreciate your patience.

Propofol for Lethal Injection
The decision a few weeks ago by the Missouri Department of Corrections to use an untested drug for this use is getting push-back. Also, remember that propofol must be administered and monitored by an accredited, licensed doctor. Court challenges are in the works and we will keep you posted on developments.

“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 6/4/2012

Welcome New Influentials
The Justice for Reggie Campaign welcomes Calling All Crows and several of its key staffers to Reggie’s List of Influentials. The unique organization uses live music as a vehicle to engage people in social justice issues and in making a difference in the world. The group held a concert in Boston to drum up support for Reggie’s case, collecting over 300 letters. Joining the list are the group’s co-founders Chad Stokes Urmston and Sybil Gallagher along with Matt Wilheim, Chief Program Officer. We appreciate their energetic efforts and continued support.

Reggie’s List of Influentials is compromised of over 200 local and national people in the civic, education, faith, electoral and entertainment arenas. It also includes exonerated men and women who escaped the clutches of the death machine. They all have pledge to use their name, position and resources to support Reggie’s fight for justice.

Update on Drugs for Lethal Injections
Missouri: The state has revised their cocktail to include the controversial drug propofol to replace the now scarce sodium thiopental. We are hearing that court challenges are underway but we don’t what impact they will have on Missouri’s next scheduled execution in August.

National: A US district judge upheld a case earlier this year brought by death row inmates who challenged the role of the FDA in allowing imported drugs for executions without the proper testing and oversight. Knuckling over pressure from states that use the lethal injection method, the FDA is appealing that ruling.

Vera Thomas on MSNBC’s Melissa Harris-Perry Show
For those of you who may have missed it, Vera was a guest on this popular show which featured a segment on the death penalty. Here’s a link for viewing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUB8-feq8lI

We are still….
…collecting signatures for Reggie’s clemency petitions.
…spreading the word about Reggie’s case of injustice.
…urging Missouri legislators to seriously consider our death penalty system.

“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 5/14/2012

Reggie’s Status
Reggie is preparing for his September 17 hearing. There is nothing significant to report on the legal front and as the old saying goes, “No news is good news.”

The Justice for Reggie Campaign is continuing our efforts to reach out and talk about his case. Signatures are still being collected for his clemency petition. The Faith Leaders letter is also still open for signatures (http://tinyurl.com/faithleaders4reggie). Our goal is to make Reggie’s a household case in Missouri.

Lethal Injection Drug Shortage
Last week, the federal appeals court here in St. Louis refused to rule on a challenge to Missouri’s lethal injection protocol. This is because one of the key drugs, sodium thiopental, is no longer manufactured and most states have depleted their supplies, including Missouri. The Department of Corrections will have to decide if it will revise its lethal injection protocol with a substitute drug. This invariably will force a stay of execution for Michael Tisius who has an August 3 execution date.

Hearing for George Allen Next Week
Allen has been in prison for 30 years for a crime that he didn’t commit. Oral arguments will be heard Friday May 18 at 9:00 a.m. in the Cole County Circuit Court, 301 E. High Street in Jefferson City. The Honorable Daniel R. Green will be presiding. If you can attend, this is an excellent opportunity to hear such legal proceedings as well as to support George and his family.

An Innocent Man Executed?
Another fatal error has been exposed in the Texas death penalty system. The case of Carlos DeLuna, a young man executed in 1989, raised many doubts from the very onset. Now James Liebman, a professor at Columbia School of Law spent, has presented his compelling case in the exhaustive report “Los Tocayos Carlos: Anatomy of a Wrongful Execution.” Liebman and a small group of his law students spent almost five years poring over details of the case and uncovered “numerous missteps, missed clues and missed opportunities” by authorities. It is doubtful whether Texas will recognize and admit its mistake; it hasn’t done so in other cases of wrongful executions.

Death Penalty Legislation
The Missouri General Assembly comes to a close this week. A number of anti-death penalty measures were introduced this session but didn’t fare too well. We should make any last minute pushes that we can with our legislators regarding pending bills.

“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 5/1/2012

Good News! We are very close to the Justice for Reggie Campaign’s self-imposed goal of 500 signatures by April 30 and to increase the number of faith leaders from Missouri. The letter initiated by Amnesty International asks religious leaders to add their moral authority to the call for Reggie’s clemency. Leaders from across the U.S. and four countries have responded to date representing universities, religious orders and a host of other positions and institutions.

The Campaign felt getting Missouri activated was important as this is Reggie’s home state and we need to show the world that we have built a broad support base for Reggie’s fight for justice. And what a response! In the first 50 signatures, there were only three from Missouri. Once the Campaign urged the Missouri faith community to respond, we reversed the trend, with the majority of the last 50 names coming from our home state. Let’s keep it going.

A special thanks to the Missourians below, mainly from the St. Louis metro area, who have signed the letter calling on Governor Jay Nixon to save Reggie’s life. All endorsements are as individuals; affiliations are for identification purposes only.

Missouri Faith Leaders
Andrew Daus, Archdiocese of St. Louis
Alfred Gainey, Lily of the Valley
Andre Aubuchon, School Sisters of Notre Dame
Barbara Geers, School Sisters of Notre Dame
Barbara Neist
Belden Lane, St. Louis University
Betty Brown, Ascension Episcopal Church
Brenda Jones, A.M.E. Church
C. Jessel Strong, St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition
Carol Ann Simon, School Sisters of Notre Dame Associate
Carol Boschert, Sisters of the Most Precious Blood
Carol Kleba
Cassandra Gould, Quinn Chapel
Charles Bahn, First Christian Church
Cynthia Brinkman, School Sisters of Notre Dame
Daniel Appleyard, Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Darryl Burton, MIP
David Delich, Order of Preachers
Dolores Shea
Donna Fischer
Doug Myler, St. John LaLande Catholic Church
Elaine Aubuchon, School Sisters of Notre Dame
Elisa Ryan, Ursuline Sisters
Elston K. McCowan, NAACP
Emily Bowen, Brenwood Christian Church
Frances Eveler School, Sisters of Notre Dame
Frances Wessel, MADP
Francine Costello
Francine Koehler, School Sisters of Notre Dame
Genevieve Cassani
Gerald Higginbotham, LLIFE
Hedy Epstein
Helen Ludbrook, Christ Church Cathedral
Isaac C McCullough, CCFC
James G’Sell
James Gunn, St. Vincent de Paul Society
James Stewart, JAS Ministries
Janet Schisser, Episcopal Diocese of MO
Janice Parker, Rock Chapel A.M.E. Church
Jeffrey Bishop, Saint Louis University
Jeffrey Villmer, Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Jennifer Adkins, Saint Louis University
Jill Raitt, Saint Louis University
Joan DiProspere
Joan Moorhem
John Renard, Saint Louis University
Josephine Niemann
Julie Rubio
Keith Cornelius
Kent Graves
Kevin Carnahan, Smith Chapel UMC
Latrina Young, Simpson Chapel
Madeline Coburn, Prison Chaplain
Marc Smith, Ascension Episcopal Church
Marie Unterreiner, School Sisters of Notre Dame
Marilyn Hummel, People of Faith Against the Death Penalty
Mark McKenzie, Criminal Justice Ministry, Archdioc-St Louis
Martin Rafanan, Gateway180: Homelessness Reversed
Mary Ann McGivern, Sisters of Loretto
Mary Frances Flynn, School Sisters of Notre Dame
Mary Williams, School Sisters of Notre Dame
Michael Grawe, Order of Friars Minor
Michael Kinman, Christ Church Cathedral
Michael Vosler, United Church of Christ
Pat Dooley, School Sisters of Notre Dame
Paulette Zimmerman
Peter E. Van Horne, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Reynolds Thomas, New Life Worship Complex
Richard Chapman, Missouri Conference
Ronald Bobo, West Side Baptist Church
Rose Huelsmann
Rosemary Hufker, School Sisters of Notre Dame
Ruth Ann Cioci
Teresa Danieley, St. John’s Episcopal Church
Thomas W. Wyrsch, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Parish
Tobias Winright, St. Louis University
Valerie Yancey, Bethel Lutheran church
Victoria Parker, Ward Chapel AME Church
Virginia Klesner, School Sisters of Notre Dame

“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 4/21/2012

Letter for Faith Leaders
We made tremendous headway in getting St. Louis signatures on Amnesty International’s faith letter. We’re almost to our goal of 500 signatures. Click on the link to see how St. Louis responded last week http://tinyurl.com/faithleaders4reggie. Let’s keep going!

George Allen Update
The Innocence Project will make its final arguments on behalf of Allen on May 18 at the Cole County Court House in Jefferson City. It is past time for Allen to have his 1982 murder conviction overturned. Attorney General Chris Koster has not shown leadership in this case so we can only hope the judge will see the injustice that’s been done to George and his family.

“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 4/2/2012

April 4 Fast*
April 4, 1991 is the date of the Chain of Rocks Bridge tragedy. The Justice for Reggie Campaign asks you to reflect on that fateful day by joining us in a 24-hour fast on April 4, 2012. You can consume only water or you can do water and juices. (Please consider your health conditions before fasting.)

The life of Reggie and his family forever changed as did the rest of the families associated with the case. We ask that you reflect on the sacrifices of the families of Reggie, Antonio Richardson, Marlon Gray and Julie and Robin Kerry. In the wake of the Trayvon Martin case and other senseless murders that have consumed the media recently, the fast can be a time to think about the anger and hurt in the country, to think about healing through justice and compassion.
Reflect on what your individual commitment to the Campaign’s goal of bringing Reggie home, i.e. what can you do to join the many other hands, feet and voices to move us closer to getting Reggie his day in court.

Moving HB 1067
Our friends at CURE have asked us to help move HB 1067 out of committee by contacting House Speaker Steve Tilley. Tilley’s contact info is steven.Tilley@house.mo.gov. and his office phone number is 573-751-1488. This bill, sponsored by Rep Mike McGhee, would give parole hearings to prisoners with long sentences including Life Without Parole.

*April 4 is also the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination; Dr. King staunchly opposed the death penalty.

“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 3/19/2012

April 4 Fast
April 4, 1991 is the date of the Chain of Rocks Bridge tragedy. The life of Reggie and his family forever changed as did the rest of the families associated with the case. The Campaign ask you to reflect on that fateful day by joining us in a 24-hour fast on April 4, 2012.

You can consume only water or you can do water and juices. (Please consider your health conditions before fasting.) We ask that you wear Reggie’s tee-shirt or button and talk about his case. We also ask that you reflect on the sacrifices of the families of Reggie, Antonio Richardson, Marlon Gray and Julie and Robin Kerry. Reflect on your individual commitment to the Campaign’s goal of bringing Reggie home, i.e. what can you do to join the many other hands, feet and voices to move us closer to getting Reggie his day in court.

ABA Report on Missouri’s Death Penalty System
The full report is rather long but effectively details many of the problems death penalty opponents have known about for years but now have the expertise to back them up. While the report did not concentrate on death penalty cases in Missouri, Reggie’s case was mentioned in the report. We believe this is based upon the hard work we’ve all done to lift Reggie’s case of injustice to a national and international level. The recommendations cover a variety of issues and therefore are not geared toward any one entity. Here’s a link to the executive summary (a short version of highlights, recommendations) to review. Minimally, we should be sharing these with our friends and organizational members and constituents. The link: http://tinyurl.com/7pts2ey

Death Penalty Legislation
One of several proposed bills associated with the death penalty has passed its first hurdle. The Senate Governmental Accountability Committee voted to pass SCS SB 786; the bill that would examine the costs related to the death penalty. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Joe Keaveny (D-St. Louis) so if he’s your senator, please send him a nice thank you.

“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 2/27/2012

This is tomorrow!
Our partner, Amnesty International, will host a community forum “Reggie Clemons: A search for the truth” tomorrow (March 1) from 7-8:30 pm at the Emerson Library Conference Room, Webster U. Laura Moye from AIUSA’s national death penalty coordinator will join panelists Vera Thomas (Reggie’s mom) and death penalty exoneree Randy Steidl.

Welcome, Influentials
Last week, we added four new members to Reggie’s List of Influentials. They are death penalty exonerees Josh Kezer (MO) and Juan Melendez (FL); State Rep Rochelle Walton Gray (D-81) and David Love, Executive Director of Witness to Innocence. Love recently wrote an article for BlackCommentator on connecting the cases of Reggie and Troy Davis.

Petitioning
We are continuing our collecting of signatures for Reggie’s clemency petitions. If you’re attending an event, worship service, etc., take a petition with you.

Campaign Update - Week of 2/20/2012

Hearing Date Rescheduled
In case you missed last week’s announcement, Reggie’s March 5 hearing has been reset for September 17. We cannot rest on our laurels and so our efforts continue.

Week in Review
On Monday and Tuesday, Jamala and Vera hit Jefferson and Columbia. MADP chapters had activities set up there; we also visited legislators in the Capitol regarding repeal legislation. Listening to Vera put a human face of the issue of wrongful convictions for those under a death sentence. We talked with students, faculty and community people at Lincoln U and Mizzou. Tomorrow, we head for Springfield, MO.

Juan Melendez
Juan is finishing up his tour in St. Louis. He is an exoneree from Florida’s Death Row with an amazing story of determination to be free and a commitment to end the death penalty. Juan has joined Reggie’s List of Influentials, stating he will do all he can do help Reggie in his fight for justice.

Death Penalty Legislation
HB 1520 and 1496 call for a repeal of the death penalty; SB 786 calls for an audit of the death penalty and HB 1420 calls for a moratorium. All total, there are about 8 bills associated with the death penalty. We’ll keep you updated on the progress of these bills as they move through the House and Senate.

It’s final!
Last week, the appeals court in Texas issued a ruling that Richard Miles is “factually innocent.” Miles had been wrongfully convicted and falsely imprisoned for 15 years. With the help of Centurion Ministries, he was freed in 2009 but the recent ruling makes the earlier release even sweeter.

“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 1/23/2012

March 5 Countdown to Justice
On February 5, 2012, the Campaign starts the countdown to Reggie’s hearing in St. Louis. We will be traveling across the state, taking the case to the streets, to workplaces, to campuses, to places of worship, through the airwaves and cyberspace. Missouri will feel the rolling thunder of justice and you have a role to play.

How?
-Signing Reggie’s petition or getting signatures. Our goal is 10,000 new signatures by March.
-Adding 50 additional members to Reggie’s List of Influentials
-Attending events by the Justice for Reggie coordinated campaign
-Circulating information on the case to your circle on contacts, friends and supporters.
-Getting your place of worship involved in Social Justice Day

Just so you Know
Things have been moving so fast, we’re playing catch up. We want to keep you in the loop about what’s going on and who’s doing what.

Jamala and Jeff Stack were on a Mark Hyme’s radio show KOPN, Columbia MO
Rev. Elston McCowan, NAACP, was on Bernie Hayes show, WGNU AM.
Springfield MADP collected signatures on MLK Day at the annual Multicultural Festival.

Churches who participated in previous “Social Justice Sundays” centering on Reggie’s case: Star Grace Missionary Baptist Church, St. Mark’s Family Church, New Canaan Missionary Baptist Church. This Sunday, Epiphany United Church of Christ, will do “Social Justice Sunday.”

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

2011 List of Influentials

A list of people who are willing to use their name, position, and the power and resources available to them to support Reggie Clemons’ struggle for justice.

2011 List of Influentials

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Photos of Reggie Clemons

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Campaign Update - Week of 1/16/2012

MLK Day was awesome!
Members of the coordinated campaign and supporters were out in full force at the annual Dr. King march. In addition to the ACLU, Amnesty International, MADP and the NAACP, many of our other supporters joined the Justice for Reggie contingent. We will get photos up on Reggie’s website as soon as possible. We thank all of our enthusiastic petitioners getting signatures especially Steve and Laura.

Welcome New Influentials!
The Campaign welcomes 3 new members to Reggie’s List of Influentials. They are MO State Rep Penny Hubbard (D-58); Pastor LaJuana McFadden (Keeping the Faith Ministries); and Jasper Johnson (Jasper Johnson & Sons).

Social Justice Sundays
Is your place of worship raising up Reggie’s case in the pulpit and collecting signatures? If so, let us know the date.

Petitions
Keep gathering those signatures. In the very near future, the Campaign will start collecting completed petitions weekly. We’ll let you know where.

“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 1/12/2012

Dr. Martin Luther King Events

Please join us on Monday, January 16 for the annual Dr. King March. We will assemble at 10 am at the Old Courthouse, 4th and Market. We are asking community groups and church/temple folks to join the Justice for Reggie contingent in the King parade. Look for Reggie’s banner. Dress appropriately to stay warwm and be comfortable.

We need volunteers to collect signatures at the march and other King events during the weekend. Please let me know if you will be gathering signatures at any of the many events around town. Remember, Dr. King was staunchly opposed to the death penalty.

P.S. If you can make copies of the petition for the Campaign, please let me know.

On to the March 5 hearing!

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