A Open Letter to Governor Arnold Please look at what is happening to Blacks Around the Nation We Need your Help !
What about Vanunu, locked away for 18 yrs without any Justice! They knew he was talking too much about the nightmare of Nuclear Weapons in Israel. Vanunu is still not allowed to leave his counry. He is therefore still behind bars.
THIS IS A OPEN LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIAI do understand that this is a very hard decision to make but, I am stating to you a fact, indeed Tookie was convicted in the case of murder a crime which is punishible by death within your state, but...
There is a issue to the why the death penalty is needed. One fact is alledged that execution will give the families closure to they're close. There is never closure nor will the feelings of removing another person with another death a means to release your saddest from the loss.
These Executions will not stop the protentional crimes from happening within our cities and towns or nation.
And these crimes are in many cases caused by social decay within our neighborhoods themselves.
Therefore, if a man has offered up a solution to give hope to stop another children or teen from entering into crime and gang activity.
As I stated herein many placed in the system are people of color who are within areas of proverty from which they feel there is no escape. It does make the mans crimes right indeed he was wrong but if he can help others from behind bars then why not let him continue.
Please consider this and stay the execution.
Sincerely yours
D'Anne Burley
Why Should Governor Arnold 
SAN QUENTIN, California (AP) -- As murderer and Crips co-founder Stanley Tookie Williams tries to stave off execution next month, California prison officials have launched an unusual counterattack against the notion that he has redeemed himself behind bars.
Tookie attempted to turn his life around, because he knew that many other young black men would end up within the trap of imprisonment where the key can be tossed for good.
The Cripps and Blood gang involves every major city around the United States. The issue why do young black men and women find it acceptable to be acting within a gang? What is lacking within the community to cause this?
Could it be the fact of drugs, lack of employment and the feeling of dispare which drives these people into lives they can never get back.
They are set up with orders one of which is to belong you have to do a act to establish your identity, name and the act can include murder.
Those in feel that they have protection, a protection not offered from authorities within the community. The have employment - drugs and other gang related operations but indeed something not being offered up within Urban settings.
The are organizated and many within the Cripps and other gangs attempt to go straight but once in the system they have no way out. Not out of the so-called justise system which makes them if they are Black, Hispanic and white outcast because they are on the streets and are not from the under swing of our societies social structure.
They are watched! just time about being in a community where there are cameras everywhere watching you, watching you no matter if you are doig something or not and the impact on a young mind. They are already mae a criminal because they are in invisible prison cells set up from the start to have them entrapped in the legal system.
The Legal system makes billions off them, from the time of the first arrest to the last.
Then we have Tookie, a product of this, and who ran the street gang but see's the system from a different level, whether behind bars.
A black man, whereby the Governor is being asked to review his case and not to execute him. Will Arnold do this? and win the respect of many blacks who have seen much injustice, or will he bend to the will of those within his party? 
THE FORMER GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS GEORGE RYAN KNEW AND DID SOMETHING ABOUT THE ISSUE OF THE DEATH PENALTY
MANY BEHIND BARS IN ILLINOIS WHERE BLACK MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAD LITTLE ABILITY TO AFFORD THE PROPER LEGAL COUNCIL BECAUSE IT THIS IN ILLINOIS THERE HAVE BEEN CASES THAT HAVE BEEN
Former Governor George Ryan Spoke out
and this maybe the cause of the issue within his invetigation. For one there were many past and current Secretary of States involved in bag money, and corruption and not one of them were arrested nor investigated until Governor George Ryan let many off Death Roll!
Look at the case of Aaron Patterson 
who was wrongly convicted and now faces another criminal charge. Once you are locked up then you are a criminal no matter if they made a misstake. Click here to go to the site
look at the case of Aaron Patterson who was on death roll, his conviction came from statements he made to a now convicted officer who was known to beat those he had locked up until they said they did it.
Patterson was locked away for years on death roll. Then later entrapped and is now awaiting another sentence up to 20 yrs for a fake drug and gun deal. Whereby someone wore a wire to get him back into the system.
Former Governor Ryan got him out and which he was out of office is Illinois heading back to the same of ways. Much within the Justice system in Illinois has turned into a Jim Crow state of Affairs allowed and not investigated. Nor do Black's and other minorities have a chance in these courts.
Please Read the Patterson Case below: 
DEATH ILLINOIS WAY
ALIVE - Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty e.V.
Aaron Patterson - Former Campaign
Aaron Patterson
DOB 10th of June 1964
arrested 30th of April 1986
sentenced to death in 1989
released January 11, 2003
January 10th, 2003 Governor Ryan pardoned Aaron by the reason of innocense.
Januar 11th, 2003 Aaron is free after more than 12 years on death row.
Aarons first words in freedom to the media:
Patterson's first public words -- after 10 years in prison -- were, "I know most of you guys. How you doing, Dave Savini? Thanks a lot for the reports, thanks a lot. Unbelievable, it's a miracle. You know, miracles do happen. The governor gave an extraordinary speech, but I just want to make this statement very clear, you know."
"I'm sure a lot of you-all have worked with me before and you-all know how hard it was for me to get my case out there," he said. "I wrote several news media and investigators to look at my case, you know. Some of you-all responded and some of you didn't. It's very important that you-all look into other guys' cases on death row and in (the) prison population. There are more innocent people locked up. There ARE more innocent people locked up."
The Crime
Rafaela and Vincente Sanchez, an elder couple of Chicago, were found brutally murdered in their house 1986. The couple was known for selling stolen things.
The Confession
Aaron was arrested April 30, 1986 and brought to an interrogation room of Chicago Police Department. He was handcuffed and chained to the wall. Lt. Jon Burge was the leading officer of the interrogation that lasted for hours. Patterson was tortured till he was willing to say all they want him to say.
Lt. Burge entered the room together with prosecutor Kip Owens. Patterson asked to speak Owens alone. Burge left the room and Owens told Patterson that he heard he want to confess. Patterson told him that he is innocent and that he was tortured to get a confession. Owens discussed that with Burge and Burge got even more angry. He threatened Patterson's life, told him he could "accidentally die" at the police station. Hours later another prosecution showed up. (Later Patterson found out that Owens was not willing to charge him with murder).
Prosecution Attorney Troy had a prepared confession and tried to make Patterson sign it. Troy promised a phone-call if Patterson would agree to sign it. Patterson agreed and tried to get his family on the phone. Unfortunately nobody was at home. He called the one attorney he knew, but this attorney refused to come to the police, but he warned Patterson to sign anything.
Later Troy came with a confession that he had written himself by hand and demanded the promised sign. The confession started with Patterson "saying" that he was treated well...
Despite pressure Aaron Patterson did not sign the confession.
Lt. Jon Burge
Aaron Patterson is one of 11 men who were tortured by Lt. Jon Burge and his men into a confession that brought them a death sentence. In 1989 Burge was fired from the Chicago police, because he was responsible for torturing more than 60 black people.
Marva Hall
In the 1989 trial the testimony of Marva Hall played a major role. She was the only witness of the prosecution, but she was not a witness of the crime. Marva was cousin of DeElwood White, who was a suspect in this crime. Then 16 years of age Marva wanted to protect her cousin and was misused by the prosecution to bolster a case against Patterson.
confessed the crime to her. In her testimony she said for example that Patterson had said that he stabbed the victim seven times. This doesn't fit the autopsy results.
Marva Hall recanted here testimony against Aaron on several occasions. There is an affidavit where she admits that she lied in trial. Reason for lying was that that time prosecutor, Jack Hynes, treated her with jail if she would not testify against Aaron Patterson.
What else is speaking for Aaron?
* No murder weapon was found.* Bloody fingerprints and footprints matched not Aaron's.
Affidavit of Mack Ray
NEWS
Metro - July 23, 2002 - About the "Burge-Cases"
Chicago Crusader - Aug. 24, 2002 Governor Ryan is asked to meet death row inmate Aaron Patterson
Now it's Time to Make the Big Push for Aaron Patterson's FreedomFlyer that gives a short overview about who Aaron is and asks to write to the Governor to ask him to grand a FULL PARDON BASED ON INNOCENCE
Open letter of Constance A. "Connie" Howard, First Vice Chair of State Democratic Party of Illinois, House Chair of Illinois Legislative Black Caucus to Governor Ryan
Media about Aaron
A Hell of a Deal - 12th October 2001
Aaron in the Media after his release
May 10, 03
Ex-Death Row inmate pardoned by Ryan bails out friend-Man pardoned by Ryan borrows to post pal's bond A former El Rukn street gang leader who has been in Cook County Jail for 5 years waiting for a new trial was bonded out Friday evening by Aaron Patterson, a friend from their days together on death row.Nathson Fields, whose conviction for double murder was overturned in 1998, got his 1st taste of freedom in nearly 2 decades after Patterson produced bail.Patterson, who was pardoned by former Gov. George Ryan in January, walked inside the jail with a cashier's check for $100,000, the necessary 10 % of Fields' $1 million.
Patterson obtained a short-term loan using as collateral the compensation he is expected to receive from the state for his wrongful conviction."We follow the Harriet Tubman code," Patterson said, referring to the Underground Railroad "conductor" who led slaves to freedom. "Leave no man behind. ... We talked about it on death row. Anybody who gets out should reach back."Fields, 49, and a co-defendant, El Rukn "general" Earl Hawkins, were convicted of the 1984 South Side murders of rival gang members Jerome "Fuddy" Smith and Talman Hickman.The Illinois Supreme Court overturned their 1986 convictions 5 years ago after the judge in the case, Thomas Maloney, was himself convicted of bribery.Fields was sent back to Cook County Jail that year and has been waiting for his retrial ever since. Hawkins is in federal prison on other murder convictions.Patterson met with Fields on Wednesday at the jail and told him of his plans.Still, as Fields stood just outside the jail Friday evening, he could hardly believe he was out. (source: Chicago Tribune)
May 12, 03
Death Row comrades now share freedom - Ex-inmate helps just-released pal
Together on death row, they forged a tight friendship, talking about their legal appeals, about which inmates were dying of AIDS and about whose execution date loomed soonest.On Saturday, Nathson Fields' 1st full day of freedom, Aaron Patterson took Fields for steak and eggs and bought him a new blue-green suit."Look at this," Patterson told Fields, pointing at a row of renovated apartment buildings. "It's beautiful.""Everything is so beautiful," Fields replied. "I could smell every tree, like a wolf." Until Friday evening, Fields sat in Cook County Jail waiting for a new trial after his conviction for a double murder was overturned.Fields, a former El Rukn street gang leader, and a co-defendant were convicted in 1986 of killing 2 rival gang members. But the convictions were overturned 5 years ago because the judge was convicted of bribery.Patterson, who was pardoned in January, posted the $100,000 bond to free Fields, 49, on Friday.
Patterson obtained a short-term loan using as collateral the compensation he is expected to get from the state for his wrongful conviction. He does not know when he will receive that compensation or how much he will get.Fields "would do the same for me," Patterson said. "I did what I wanted to do with my money. I'll be all right. I had to take care of the brother."And Patterson immediately took it upon himself to get his friend reacclimated to life as a free man.Fields operated Saturday on about 90 minutes of sleep.
He could not sleep more, he said, because "I was worried all this was a big dream and I would wake up in the cell."After meeting Rev. Jesse Jackson at Rainbow/PUSH headquarters in the morning, Fields and Patterson stopped at a Hyde Park diner popular with police officers.Wolfing down steak, scrambled eggs, toast and peach cobbler, Fields recognized a Cook County sheriff's officer in plainclothes. The officer came over to shake hands with Fields and expressed surprise at seeing him."You heard about it, didn't you?" Fields asked the officer. "Let all my enemies know that I'm enjoying it." As the officer walked way, Fields said, "He was all good, one of the only ones that was all good.""Some of them are OK," Patterson added, not looking up from his breakfast.Fields was among the inmates who allegedly were punched and kicked while shackled by guards at Cook County jail in 2000. Jail officials said Fields sought to provoke a fight with guards in hopes of filing a brutality lawsuit.Next stop was a clothing store on 87th Street. Fields picked out a new suit, shoes, 2 shirts and a red leather belt. Patterson haggled over the tab."Act like he's been on death row," Patterson told the salesman. "Don't let me hear no crazy price."A visit to the gravesite of Fields' mother, who died of a heart attack in 1996, would have to wait until Sunday."Nothing hit me like that," Fields said. "Me being on death row played a big part in what happened to her."He also hoped to find his 17-year-old daughter. Fields said the girl's mother was 4 months' pregnant when he was arrested, and the girl now is a ward of the state.A family reunion awaited Fields at his sister's home in south suburban Richton Park, where he is staying for now. Sitting in the home's living room, Fields talked with nieces and nephews he either had never met or had not seen since they were toddlers."Amira, I'm your uncle," he told the 7-year-old daughter of a nephew. Fields and Patterson also watched a videotape of 5 prison guards tackling, handcuffing and shoving Fields against a wall at Menard Correctional Center in 1997.The television was planted before a painting of a dark-skinned Jesus Christ in dreadlocks and handcuffs.(source: Chicago Tribune)
May, 03
Existence of capital punishment disgusts ex-death row inmate
Aaron Patterson came off death row more angry than relieved. He was grateful for his pardon, but still burned with rage for the police officers whom he claims tortured him and the prosecutors whom he blamed for his wrongful conviction in connection with a 1986 double murder. And he said he's disgusted with the public for allowing capital punishment to still exist despite the errors that led former Gov. George Ryan to clear all inmates from death row, mostly by commuting their sentences to life in prison."I'm not taking nothing easy. They tried to kill me. ... I'm angry at you all for putting up with this nonsense," Patterson said Thursday while speaking at Illinois State University's Bone Student Center. In about an hourlong speech, Patterson described the injustices that landed him on the death row and his struggles in the court system. His ordeal came to an abrupt end in January when Ryan pardoned him and three others, saying police had tortured the men into confessing to murders that they hadn't committed.Patterson, who lives on the south side of Chicago, also outlined a series of arguments against capital punishment and suggested changes in the system. He said the number of people who have been exonerated or released from death row show that wrongful convictions are inevitable."It's not isolated," he said. "It happened then, it's happening now, and it's going to happen in the future."Patterson contended that many wrongful convictions have resulted from misconduct by police and prosecutors. He called for prison terms for torturing suspects and withholding evidence."The law should apply to everyone, especially those who are supposed to enforce the law," he said.He advocated eliminating technicalities in the court system such as time limits for raising certain issues on appeal. The search for the truth is often hindered by procedural requirements, Patterson said.Meanwhile, he's working with legislators on a proposal to create a commission outside the court system to review wrongful conviction claims."If the system is broken, we need an avenue for those who are innocent in prison to go for relief," he said. Patterson, who was sentenced to death in 1989, said he never lost faith that he'd be cleared.After the state Supreme Court unanimously rejected his appeal in 1992, he launched his own campaign to save his life. He won supporters in the government, the media and the public. They lobbied for his freedom until Ryan couldn't resist, Patterson said. He pledged to continue to fight for other inmates whom he believes were wrongly convicted. He said he's considering a run for the General Assembly, and is planning a speaking tour to drum up support for the anti-death penalty movement."The best therapy for me is to come out and speak about these issues. ... I know what it's like to be locked up for 17 years for a crime you didn't commit. It's the worst nightmare in the world," he said.Source: Pantagraph
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Letztes Update: 20.01.04 (c) ALIVE e.V.
posted by The D'Anne Burley Show at 2:04 PM
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