INNOCENCE PROJECTS
We have been trying to get assistance through Innocence projects, but have not received any help!
My name is Phillip Alvin Jones #881507. I write this letter trying to figure out after 17 years, what to say that hasn't been said, in hopes that, this one letter, out of thousands you read will touch and care!
Where do I begin? I am innocent of the crime to which I have been convicted! I understand that I have been convicted! I understand that I meet all the criteria necessary to have my case be accepted, but this far, no Pro Bono lawyer, or innocence project has
come to my aid.
Once again I will impart my story in the hopes that a single individual will take an interest in my case. I wont write much, I will speak the facts.
Back in august of 1990, a man was shot on the corner of Mount and Fayette Streets. On the West side of Baltimore city. The man survived the shooting and upon his recovery was interviewed by the Baltimore City police. He couldn't Identify his assailant. A witness, who it was later discovered to be the cousin of the victim, was interviewed at the crime scene. Apparently, saw the shooting and could not identify me as a shooter. The State's Attorney, suppressed this information by not disclosing it in discovery. It was not brought to light until volunteer defense attorney John Morris, with the assistance of a Private Investigator, went back into the community and found an eye witness by the name of Jerome Beacon, who gave a statement and made a signed Affidavit.
I wasn't arrested until a month after the incident, and the reason for my arrest was because a hearsay witness told police upon his arrest for a burglary, that he knew of a person that cold tell them who committed a shooting on Fayette and Mount Street. In exchange for his release he gave them the name of a female who's name is Ginger Forrester, who supposedly saw the shooting but never contacted police.
This witness, who was the sole eye witness at my trial, perjured herself before the grand jury and was coerced by police to lie under oath. It was later discovered that she had an impeachable criminal record, was uncooperative with police with police until they threatened her with a probation violation. The States Attorney and defense counsel said she had no record, but then mysteriously years after my conviction the public defender Mr. John Hanaway, turned over lengthy criminal record for this women who it turns out was a police informant an drug addict.
I was convicted in March Of 1991 for the charges of Attempted first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, Attempted second degree murder and handgun violations. I was sentenced to Life in Prison.
There was no established motive, no gun found, no fingerprints, and nothing to connect me to the crime. I was arrested solely on the testimony of a single eyewitness.
The Jury sent a note out during deliberation, asking the judge to explain transferred intent which was an illegal instruction that should not have been used And, if they could find me not guilty of the victim who was shot, but guilty of a innocent by stander who was grazed by a stray bullet.
The Judge told them they had to find me guilty of the actual victim in order to find me guilty of the graze victim, because they go together.
Upon the discovery of the eyewitness who contradicted the testimony of the States witness, volunteer counsel filed a petition for Post-Conviction Relief, upon the issues of Newly Discovered evidence, and ineffective Assistance of Trial Counsel.
I went to court on February 28th 2006, to present to Judge Lynn Stewart why I should receive another Post Conviction Hearing. I presented a sworn affidavit and several exhibits showing how we obtained the evidence which had been suppressed by the States attorney in the case.
The Judge said that she would consider the testimony and all submitted evidence and return with a ruling in the case real soon. That was over a year and six months ago...at present the case is pending and in Limbo.
I am asking that my case be re-opened and all relevant evidence be presented to the courts. I am in need of legal representation to get my case back in court. The court is trying to sweep my case under the rug and ignore the facts presented.
I thank you for your assistance and consideration in this matter.
Sincerely, Phillip Alvin Jones
This is the list of places we have contacted through the innocence projects:
Innocence Project Northwest
PO box 85110
Seattle, Wa 98145
Office of the Public Defender
1 Lavert Plaza, Suite 1610
Baltimore, Md 21201
Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project
4801 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, Dc 20016
Center of Wrongful Convictions
Northwestern University School of Law
357 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Ill 60611
Innocence Project of Frank J. Remington Center
University of Wisconsin Law of School
975 Boscom Mall
Madison, Wi. 53706
Centurion Ministries
221 Witherspoon St.
Princeton, Nj 08542
received letter, response at bottom.
Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project
4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016-8184
Misty Thomas, Project Director
e-mail: innocenceproject@wcl.american.edu
Dated, Sep. 20, 2007
We received a letter from Centurion Ministries stating the following:
Dear Mr. Jones:
Thank you for writing to us. I am saddened ti inform you that we can not help you. We are such a small organization we have had to set strict guidelines for ourselves to function as effectively as possible.
We only consider murder and rape cases, carrying life or death sentences. We consider a life sentence to be 15 years before parole eligibility. We do not consider attempted murder or attempted rape cases. We have had to set these boundaries due to a great demand for our work and the realization that we simply cannot help everyone. Your case of attempted murder simply does not fall into this category.
I am sorry we cannot help you in your quest for relief from form of hardship of your incarceration.
Search for Pro-Bono
We have searched for Pro Bono Lawyers, but have got no Help!
My name is Phillip Alvin Jones #881507. I am A Maryland State Prisoner #214-715. Case # 190302031-33. At the present time I am being held in a Washington State Facility as an exchange prisoner. I am writing because I desperately need representation in a criminal case. I should not even be in prison. I have wrote all kinds of innocence projects trying to get someone to take interest in my case. I have been tried an convicted in circuit court for Baltimore City, back in 1991. I was sentence to Life. I have served 17yrs. I have been filling various court proceedings since that time. All to no avail. Until just recently in 2003, I was able to obtain a private investigator who went into the community and discovered some very strong evidence, which if it would have been known by the defense at trial, the outcome of the case would have been different. The prosecutor knowingly withheld exculpatory evidence. The prosecutor also allowed me to be convicted of a transferred intent doctrine that can not be used in my case according to the law. Upon the discovery of this newly discovered evidence we filled, we filled for a post-conviction re-opening and the judge initially wanted to deny the request. Finally I was given a hearing to see if I should even receive another post-conviction hearing. On February 28, 2006 I went to court an argued why I should receive another post-conviction. I clearly showed that I had something new in terms of evidence to present (an eye witness to refute the States single witness). The Judge heard my argument an said she would make a ruling in the case. That was a year an six months ago. I need an advocate, someone to help me from being taken advantage of. To instruct me on how to deal with the court.
Sincerely,
Phillip Alvin Jones #881507
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is a list of who we have contacted so far... This list will continue to change an more added as I continue to try....
Michael Millemann,
Jacob A. France Professor of Public Interest Law
Appellate and Post-conviction Advocacy Clinic
(410) 706-8340 (office)
(410) 706-5856 (fax)
Email: mmillemann@law.umaryland.edu
http://www.law.umaryland.edu/faculty_profile.asp?facultynum=082
Director, Pro Bono & Public Service Initiatives
University of Maryland School of Law
500 W. Baltimore Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
tschmiedeler@law.umaryland.edu
410-706-2080
http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/probono/lawschools/60.html
Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Address SAB
General Phone: 410-837-9379
Fax: 410-385-2616
Web Site: http://www.probonomd.org
Organization Email: pbrc@probonomd.org
received Email, response at bottom.
Alternative Directions
2505 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
410-889-5072
NEXT PAGE (Issues to be raised on Appeal)
We have been trying to get assistance through Innocence projects, but have not received any help!
My name is Phillip Alvin Jones #881507. I write this letter trying to figure out after 17 years, what to say that hasn't been said, in hopes that, this one letter, out of thousands you read will touch and care!
Where do I begin? I am innocent of the crime to which I have been convicted! I understand that I have been convicted! I understand that I meet all the criteria necessary to have my case be accepted, but this far, no Pro Bono lawyer, or innocence project has
come to my aid.
Once again I will impart my story in the hopes that a single individual will take an interest in my case. I wont write much, I will speak the facts.
Back in august of 1990, a man was shot on the corner of Mount and Fayette Streets. On the West side of Baltimore city. The man survived the shooting and upon his recovery was interviewed by the Baltimore City police. He couldn't Identify his assailant. A witness, who it was later discovered to be the cousin of the victim, was interviewed at the crime scene. Apparently, saw the shooting and could not identify me as a shooter. The State's Attorney, suppressed this information by not disclosing it in discovery. It was not brought to light until volunteer defense attorney John Morris, with the assistance of a Private Investigator, went back into the community and found an eye witness by the name of Jerome Beacon, who gave a statement and made a signed Affidavit.
I wasn't arrested until a month after the incident, and the reason for my arrest was because a hearsay witness told police upon his arrest for a burglary, that he knew of a person that cold tell them who committed a shooting on Fayette and Mount Street. In exchange for his release he gave them the name of a female who's name is Ginger Forrester, who supposedly saw the shooting but never contacted police.
This witness, who was the sole eye witness at my trial, perjured herself before the grand jury and was coerced by police to lie under oath. It was later discovered that she had an impeachable criminal record, was uncooperative with police with police until they threatened her with a probation violation. The States Attorney and defense counsel said she had no record, but then mysteriously years after my conviction the public defender Mr. John Hanaway, turned over lengthy criminal record for this women who it turns out was a police informant an drug addict.
I was convicted in March Of 1991 for the charges of Attempted first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, Attempted second degree murder and handgun violations. I was sentenced to Life in Prison.
There was no established motive, no gun found, no fingerprints, and nothing to connect me to the crime. I was arrested solely on the testimony of a single eyewitness.
The Jury sent a note out during deliberation, asking the judge to explain transferred intent which was an illegal instruction that should not have been used And, if they could find me not guilty of the victim who was shot, but guilty of a innocent by stander who was grazed by a stray bullet.
The Judge told them they had to find me guilty of the actual victim in order to find me guilty of the graze victim, because they go together.
Upon the discovery of the eyewitness who contradicted the testimony of the States witness, volunteer counsel filed a petition for Post-Conviction Relief, upon the issues of Newly Discovered evidence, and ineffective Assistance of Trial Counsel.
I went to court on February 28th 2006, to present to Judge Lynn Stewart why I should receive another Post Conviction Hearing. I presented a sworn affidavit and several exhibits showing how we obtained the evidence which had been suppressed by the States attorney in the case.
The Judge said that she would consider the testimony and all submitted evidence and return with a ruling in the case real soon. That was over a year and six months ago...at present the case is pending and in Limbo.
I am asking that my case be re-opened and all relevant evidence be presented to the courts. I am in need of legal representation to get my case back in court. The court is trying to sweep my case under the rug and ignore the facts presented.
I thank you for your assistance and consideration in this matter.
Sincerely, Phillip Alvin Jones
This is the list of places we have contacted through the innocence projects:
Innocence Project Northwest
PO box 85110
Seattle, Wa 98145
Office of the Public Defender
1 Lavert Plaza, Suite 1610
Baltimore, Md 21201
Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project
4801 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, Dc 20016
Center of Wrongful Convictions
Northwestern University School of Law
357 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Ill 60611
Innocence Project of Frank J. Remington Center
University of Wisconsin Law of School
975 Boscom Mall
Madison, Wi. 53706
Centurion Ministries
221 Witherspoon St.
Princeton, Nj 08542
received letter, response at bottom.
Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project
4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016-8184
Misty Thomas, Project Director
e-mail: innocenceproject@wcl.american.edu
Dated, Sep. 20, 2007
We received a letter from Centurion Ministries stating the following:
Dear Mr. Jones:
Thank you for writing to us. I am saddened ti inform you that we can not help you. We are such a small organization we have had to set strict guidelines for ourselves to function as effectively as possible.
We only consider murder and rape cases, carrying life or death sentences. We consider a life sentence to be 15 years before parole eligibility. We do not consider attempted murder or attempted rape cases. We have had to set these boundaries due to a great demand for our work and the realization that we simply cannot help everyone. Your case of attempted murder simply does not fall into this category.
I am sorry we cannot help you in your quest for relief from form of hardship of your incarceration.
Search for Pro-Bono
We have searched for Pro Bono Lawyers, but have got no Help!
My name is Phillip Alvin Jones #881507. I am A Maryland State Prisoner #214-715. Case # 190302031-33. At the present time I am being held in a Washington State Facility as an exchange prisoner. I am writing because I desperately need representation in a criminal case. I should not even be in prison. I have wrote all kinds of innocence projects trying to get someone to take interest in my case. I have been tried an convicted in circuit court for Baltimore City, back in 1991. I was sentence to Life. I have served 17yrs. I have been filling various court proceedings since that time. All to no avail. Until just recently in 2003, I was able to obtain a private investigator who went into the community and discovered some very strong evidence, which if it would have been known by the defense at trial, the outcome of the case would have been different. The prosecutor knowingly withheld exculpatory evidence. The prosecutor also allowed me to be convicted of a transferred intent doctrine that can not be used in my case according to the law. Upon the discovery of this newly discovered evidence we filled, we filled for a post-conviction re-opening and the judge initially wanted to deny the request. Finally I was given a hearing to see if I should even receive another post-conviction hearing. On February 28, 2006 I went to court an argued why I should receive another post-conviction. I clearly showed that I had something new in terms of evidence to present (an eye witness to refute the States single witness). The Judge heard my argument an said she would make a ruling in the case. That was a year an six months ago. I need an advocate, someone to help me from being taken advantage of. To instruct me on how to deal with the court.
Sincerely,
Phillip Alvin Jones #881507
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is a list of who we have contacted so far... This list will continue to change an more added as I continue to try....
Michael Millemann,
Jacob A. France Professor of Public Interest Law
Appellate and Post-conviction Advocacy Clinic
(410) 706-8340 (office)
(410) 706-5856 (fax)
Email: mmillemann@law.umaryland.edu
http://www.law.umaryland.edu/faculty_profile.asp?facultynum=082
Law School Pro Bono Programs
M. Teresa SchmiedelerDirector, Pro Bono & Public Service Initiatives
University of Maryland School of Law
500 W. Baltimore Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
tschmiedeler@law.umaryland.edu
410-706-2080
http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/probono/lawschools/60.html
Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Address SAB
General Phone: 410-837-9379
Fax: 410-385-2616
Web Site: http://www.probonomd.org
Organization Email: pbrc@probonomd.org
received Email, response at bottom.
Civil Justice Inc.
520 W. Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-706-0174
Fax (410) 706-3196
cjn@civiljusticenetwork.org
Alternative Directions
2505 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
410-889-5072
Aurie Hall, L.L.M. (Read Bio)
Director
Criminal Justice
410-234-1091 ext. 208
ahall@sorosny.org
received Email, response at bottom. .
http://www.nathanslaw.com/Bio/LarryNathans.asp
received Email, response at bottom.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
received Email from Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Wed, 22 Aug 2007
Thank you for your email inquiry. The Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland (PBRC) does not provide legal advice or direct legal representation. PBRC recruits attorneys and matches their skills and interests with pro bono legal services programs. These programs utilize volunteer attorneys to provide legal services on a wide range of areas such as: family law, housing, bankruptcy, education, consumer fraud, taxation, domestic violence, elder law, disability, employment, health care, discrimination, denial of public benefits and economic development. Please note that these legal service programs do not accept criminal cases or cases that generate a fee, such as personal injury or medical malpractice cases.
Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland, Inc.
received Email from Aurie Hall, L.L.M.'s assistant.
received Email from Larry A. Nathens
Dear Mr. Jones
Unfortunately my law firm is not in the position now to take on any new pro bono or reduced fee matters. Best of luck.
Director
Criminal Justice
410-234-1091 ext. 208
ahall@sorosny.org
received Email, response at bottom. .
Larry Allen Nathans
Suite 1800
120 East Baltimore Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Phone: (410) 783-0272
Fax: (410) 783-0518
http://www.nathanslaw.com/Bio/LarryNathans.asp
received Email, response at bottom.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
received Email from Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Wed, 22 Aug 2007
Thank you for your email inquiry. The Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland (PBRC) does not provide legal advice or direct legal representation. PBRC recruits attorneys and matches their skills and interests with pro bono legal services programs. These programs utilize volunteer attorneys to provide legal services on a wide range of areas such as: family law, housing, bankruptcy, education, consumer fraud, taxation, domestic violence, elder law, disability, employment, health care, discrimination, denial of public benefits and economic development. Please note that these legal service programs do not accept criminal cases or cases that generate a fee, such as personal injury or medical malpractice cases.
Below is a list of programs that may be able to assist with your request or provide additional referral resources on your behalf. Please note that The Family Law Hotline operated by the Women’s Law Center answers general legal questions on family law issues and the Legal Forms Helpline also operated by the Women’s Law Center assists callers who are filing a family law case without a lawyer to complete form pleadings.
Legal Services Pro Bono Programs
Civil Justice Inc. (reduced fee not pro bono) (410) 706-0174
Employment Law Hotline (877) 422-9500
Family Law Hotline (800) 845-8550
Harford County Bar Foundation (410) 836-0123
Homeless Persons Representation Project (410) 659-6589
House of Ruth Domestic Violence Center (410) 889-7884
Lawyer Referral (Baltimore City) (410) 539-3112
Lawyer Referral (Baltimore County) (410) 337-9100
Legal Aid Bureau (410) 951-7750
Legal Aid Bureau (Pro Bono Clinic) (800) 999-8904 ext. 7750
Legal Forms Hotline (800) 818-9888
Maryland legal Assistance Network (MLAN) (866) 635-2948
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) (410) 547-6537
(MVLS) Toll Free (800) 510-0050
Montgomery County Maryland Bar Foundation (301) 424-7651
Prince George’s County Law Foundation (301) 864-8353
Public Defender’s Office (Baltimore City) (410) 333-4900
Public Defender’s Office (Baltimore County) (410) 324-8900
University of Baltimore Family Law Clinic (410) 837-5706
University of Maryland School of Law (410) 706-3295
We hope that this information is helpful and wish you the best in resolving this matter.
Sincerely,
Danyell Cox
Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland, Inc.
received Email from Aurie Hall, L.L.M.'s assistant.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Jones:
Aurie Hall asked me to respond to your inquiry as she will away from
the
office till September. She wanted me to let you know that we
(OSI-Baltimore) do not provide representation (we are a grant giving
foundation and do not do direct service), however she recommended you
contact the Michelle Nethercut at the Office of the Public Defernder
who
runs their Innocence Project. Please find the contact information
below.
Maryland Office of the Public Defender
Administration
6 Saint Paul Street, Suite 1400
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-767-8460
Toll Free: 877- 430-5187
Fax: 410-333-8496
Web: http://www.opd.state.md.us
We hope that this information is helpful to you.
Best wishes,
Daniela Schukart on behalf of Aurie Hall
received Email from Larry A. Nathens
Dear Mr. Jones
Unfortunately my law firm is not in the position now to take on any new pro bono or reduced fee matters. Best of luck.
Larry Allen Nathans, Esq.
NEXT PAGE (Issues to be raised on Appeal)
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