Innocent Man, Charles Jones - wrongfully convicted

News but no news

2008-05-24T10:57:00.000-07:00

I got a letter back from the governor's office on my clemency. They still have not received my petition from the Prison Review Board. I am still having people write in and they can until a decision is made (hint hint!).

At my hearing the prosecutor mentioned nothing about the facts of my case, which was odd. With everyone who had a hearing that day they argued against their case. You know what they mentioned on me? A fight I had in here in 1997 - yes 1997. Really that all they had on my prison record. I think they really could not attack my court records and documents. Whatever the reason is, it is odd.
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Dedication and patience

2008-04-19T03:23:00.000-07:00

When I look at some of the older prisoners and how some have come back to prison. Some don't have nothing - I mean not even money to buy soap and deodorant. The state really does not take care of people. Then I was watching this program about senior citizens living in America. One lady said she often goes hungry after paying her bills.
In seeing that I realize that tomorrow starts today and if you want to be ready for tomorrow, you have to start today. This is why I am trying so hard to get these convictions overturned. It's not the time but the record that I want to clear.

To everyone who wrote to the Governor on my behalf: thank you so much and may GOD bless you!
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Please help me get clemency!

2008-03-22T05:52:00.000-07:00

A threat to justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

A wise man once said “A threat to justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. This is the reason why each one of is should get involved in events that may or may not concern us if an injustice is being done.

I have been incarcerated since I was 17 for crimes I did not commit. Despite irrefutable evidence of my innocence my cry for justice has gone unheard. The courts’ reviews of my convictions has been cursory to say the least. The evidence concerning my innocence was barred based on procedural grounds.

This has led me to petition the Governor of our state for clemency. Clemency has become a popular remedy in Illinois due to problems with the Illinois’ Death Penalty. Due to the vast amount of petitions (mostly groundless) a busy Governor may not have the time needed to dedicate to a petition like mine.

The more support for my cause, the better my chances are of getting my claim heard. Anyone can write to the governor in support of my clemency petition. Any and all letters in support to the Governor are welcome.

Address your letter to the Governor at:
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62701
US

Please make sure your letter refers to: Support for clemency for Charles Jones, docket # 27547

Please view the facts of my case on my website. With your help and God’s will, I will finally be given the justice I deserve.
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Max or dorm

2008-02-19T07:14:00.000-08:00

This place is becoming less bearable. We have a new warden and seems like they are trying to run this place like a max joint.
A lot of guys are transferring to a minimum security to escape the madness. I can go but I feel like as long as I am not getting into trouble here and have gotten used to it I can deal with it.
Plus most minimum security are dorm style and I can not live in a dorm. You are trying to sleep and you got five or six guys walking around-can't do it.
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Keeping fingers crossed!

2008-01-29T10:34:00.000-08:00

The petition for clemency has been sent in, to the Prison Review Board, the governor and wherever else they need a copy of it . Hopefully it will meet the deadline of February 7, this means that the hearings can be held in Chicago.
Keeping fingers crossed that 2008 is the last year in prison for Charles!

About the tai chi book, this was a neat prison soap in itself. After 2,5 months the committee's decision was that Charles could have the book, but then it had gone mysteriously missing from the Mailroom. It was reported stolen.
Then it turned up again! Just as mysteriously. After which the committee decided Charles was NOT allowed to have the book. *shakes head*
That is the final verdict apparently. For now at least.

Motion denied!

2007-11-17T02:09:00.000-08:00

The judge denied my motion on November 1 2007 (after nearly five years!). The good news is now I can go on to the next stage. I am in the process of writing my cousin now for the lawyer. I paid for my transcripts and should have them shortly. The judge said that I raised the issues before. However I raised the fact that my lawyer did not call in certain witnesses. I did not provide affadavits as to what these witnesses would have testified to - as required by law. This is why my previous appeals were denied.
This petition was the first time I presented affadavits so the judge was wrong in that aspect. She appointed me a lawyer named Laura Bausser. I talked to her already! She sounded optimistic on appeal and said she is willing to start working on my case. I told her to wait until I see what this lawyer is talking about. Now I will have my case decided by a three judge panel. Once this court rules I won't have to wait any further. I will be given a new trial.
In the meantime I can petition the governow because I have nothing pending in lower courts.

Blast from the past

2007-11-13T03:55:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you find something that you didn't know you were looking for.

In the early 1970s Charles' dad, also named Charles Jones, was a professional basketball player, playing for a club here in The Netherlands. There was not much info, let alone pictures, about that period.

Through the newspaper clippings that Charles sent me, I found an old team member who had played with his dad. He had kept a scrapbook about those days and lo and behold, there was a picture of Jones Sr.

Isn't that amazing?

Charles Sr. is the guy jumping highest...

Important court date

2007-11-04T02:59:00.000-08:00

My case is marked for final on November 1, 2007. This is good news. If the judge denies the appeal, my cousin will get a paid lawyer to handle the appeal to expedite the matter and I can also petition the governor in December for a new clemency petition. (I'll be sure to put that on the website if that is the case!)
Now if the judge grants the petition, I will be given a new trial. In any situation I can move things forward. Also my attempted murder case is waiting on a decision from a higher court.

I hope the courts hurry and act soon because in January I will be within two years left to serve on my whole sentence.

Then remember that lockdown? We had more since then. So they just changed the security level of this facility and upgraded it. I am classified as a minimum security and they may attempt to move me to a minimum facility. I hope not because all minimum are dorms instead of cells. Plus I have requested to the counselor I would like to stay here. My cellie and I work different shifts to it's like I have a one man cell.

Martial arts.... riiiiiight

2007-09-26T08:18:00.000-07:00

Post from Armande aka Elvhenk

I thought I had a good idea to send Charles a book about tai chi. Being a new age chick, I thought nothing of it until it dawned on me that prison officials would of course see this as "martial arts".

I was thinking: relaxation, breathing techniques, improving joints and muscles and creating suppleness and a general feeling of well-being. Something that you can do in a small space even. They were thinking: karate, ninja, chop sticks, bruce lee. That Charles would read the book and snap.
*rolls eyes*

So now the book is being reviewed Publication Review Committee, I am keeping fingers crossed that they'll see the light soon.
Now if only I had sent him some p0rn, that would have gone right through...

Free at last

2007-08-17T00:12:00.001-07:00

Lockdown Day 7 (June 17, 2007)

I wake up at 7.00 a.m. I start my workput. I do a few sit-ups and push ups. I get side tracked watching tv. Around 7.50 a.m. count check. We off lockdown. Free at last free at last thank GOD almighty we are free at last.
Time to shower.

Learn from experience or educate yourself

2007-08-16T03:04:00.000-07:00

Lockdown Day 6 (June 16, 2007)

In life you learn from experience. The vicissitudes of life prepare and propel us into manhood. However, in prison there are no life experiences. Everything is structured and routine. If one does not take the time for self development, he is doomed.

Imagine this conundrum, a boy comes to prison at the age of 17. Stays in prison until he is 40 and then is paroled and still is at the age of 17. Physically he is 40 but mentally he is still 17. He still desires the things he did as a child. From the clothes he desires, to the music to the women! I had one homie tell me when he get out, he is going to spring break! I almost died laughing inside because he was serious...

The only way to solve this problem is self development. The state can put all the school classes inside the prison it wants. Until the individual takes time for self development, he can not progress. Most guys go to school only for bragging rights. They do not attempt to retain the knowledge they are taught. As Dante said: "There is not knowledge without retention".

How prison works

2007-08-15T14:06:00.000-07:00

Day 5 (June 15, 2007)

Today I end my fast. Ironically I am not even hungry. I found out that orange crush (a tact unit consisting of correctional officers) came to the institution to conduct a shakedown. It is rumored that they assaulted some inmates. I kind of saw that coming. For 1) it would be retaliation which is very common in prison, and for 2) the trigger-happy-syndrome (as I call it).
This is where a policeman is trained and overtrained to use his weapon and never has the chance to put his skills to use. He then creates the opportunity himself and tends to overreact. The same happens with these tact units. When they come in, an inmate can comply all he wants but there is going to be some action. That way you have suspects (unarmed) getting shot 20-50 times while their only crime was reaching for their cell phone.

In prison any incident will be portrayed as major because the guards want to paint the prison (this one in particular) as dangerous. When there is nothing happening the guards provoke inmates into acting. This is easy when you have the majority feeling they are being oppressed.

It is good thing I never gave in to the "racism or conspiracy theory" common among black prisoners. Yes racism does play a role in our justice system. However America is growing more classicist than racist. Justice is extended as far as your money can stretch.

Once you are in prison you are sure to encounter racism. This is because 70 to 80 percent of the prisoners are black and 90 to 100 percent of the prison personnel is white. Most come from rural areas and have never been around blacks. They come to work with preconceived notions about blacks (what they see on the news or on tv) and they come to prison to see the creme de la creme of society's misfits - which happen to be mostly blacks.

Toward the end of the day I think about my freedom and what I have to do to become successful. I end the day on thinking on that note.

On fasting, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King

2007-08-14T03:41:00.000-07:00

Day 4 (June 14, 2007)

Today I decide to fast. I plan only to drink fluids. Nothing builds will power more than fasting. Two of the strongest human urges are sex and food. If you can deny yourself food when hunger pangs set in, you are working your will like a muscle. After a while everything will remind you of food: tv commercials, ads in magazines, and the mundale prison meals all of a sudden become so desirable.
However, when you fight off temptation the mind becomes clearer and sharper. You tend to pay attention to the smallest detail. Since I'm in the mood I guess I'll catch up on some reading.

I come across a part in a philosophy book that says we should try to walk the path of great men. For some reason Malcolm X and Martin Luther King comes to my mind. All the brothers admire Malcolm and most look down on King. In my early days of ignorance I used to be this way.

I think the reason why the guys can relate to Malcolm is because of his background. He was a hustler, a player, a thug, a gambler. That agression was still there even when he turned his life around. He still had that toughness associated with street life.

The perception of Martin is that he was passive and a coward. However, nothing can be further from the truth. Martin was probably one of the bravest leaders we've had in the black community. It takes a lot of courage to do what he did. I can't even imagine putting myself in his shoes. With each march, each speech, each public appearance he knew his life was on the line. He never deviated from his principle of non-violence.
He still preached, he still marched, he still loved! Think about it for a minute. How much courage it took to love and pray for someone who spat in your face. The restraint it took not to react. To tame that beast that is in every man (anger - revenge) - to truly turn the other cheek. A lot of Christians preach forgiveness until it is their turn to forgive - then it becomes a subjective term. But not for Martin.
For this reason I believe he was a great man.

On working out and the purpose of good and evil

2007-08-13T13:57:00.000-07:00

Day 3 on lockdown (June 13, 2007)

I wake up around 7.30 a.m. and I feel good and relaxed. I decide to work out. I start with my sit-ups which I super-set with my push ups. I then do some dips and squats. I end the work-out by stretching. While working out I was listening to Anita Baker and Sade.

Before I get a chance to wash up, here comes room service. I am served a veggie burger (which is horrible when unseasoned), some tater-tots and mixed vegetables. I put my food in a plastic bag to warm up in my hot pot while I wash up.

After eating I start typing my letters and doing some legal work on my case. One thing I admire about myself is my resolve in fighting for my freedom. Here it is, I am into my 17th year of incarceration and I fight my case like I got convicted yesterday. After my legal work I decide to write my aunt. One thing that has been consistent in my life is her - a true diamond in the rough.
I don't know but I think GOD put people in our lives for a specific reason - even bad people. He also confronts us with certain circumstances. Everyone has a dark side - a bad part of themselves. Each individual has to get to know this side because it is a part of them. If it was not there, there would be no such thing as virtue. If there was no choice between good and bad. You cannot call your virtues virtues until you are tempted and they are put to the test. When faced with a choice of good and evil, you have to be tempted toward the evil alternative in order to act with virtues (when you choose good over evil).

4.00 p.m. I play in the mirror, looking at myself. I got a gray hair in my moustache and few in my hair. Damn that seem crazy! I was only 17 when I came to prison, now I am getting gray hair. I quickly plucked them out as a way to reclaim my youthhood. I have to smile because I don't have a wrinkle in sight and still physically feel like a teen. I guess I am 17 after all.
Time to put the mirror down.

I watch two episodes of Miami CSI. I turn my tv off around 10 p.m., turn the radio on and read my book until I fall asleep. Mayeb we'll be of tomorrow.

Illinois River lockdown

2007-08-12T02:44:00.000-07:00

Day 2 on lockdown (June 12, 2007)

We are still on lockdown and they have compiled a list of industry workers who will be going to work (two 12 hour shifts) consisting of the first and third shift workers. I am not on the list because I am on second shift. My cellie is on the list and he'll be going to work from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. I can really relax now and get some work down because I'll have the cell to myself.

Most prisoners look at alone time as a time to sexually gratify themselves. I don't know if you can consider this abnormal behavior under the circumstances but there is so much more than one can be doing.
So I started writing my letters. I've typed seven letters, some personal and some legal. I took my time because I was listening to some soothing music (Al Jarreau - best of). I can live without my tv but I don't think I can do without some sounds. I even went through my address book and wrote some people I have not heard from in years. They may not write back and most of the time I don't expect them to. I write to feel free. In prison there is something very special about mail (receiving more than sending). It gives you the visceral feeling that you are connected with the outside world.

Around 3.00 p.m. I stopped writing and washed up. All you can do on lock down is take a bird bath in your sink. It is hot so I have to do this a minimum of twice a day (sometimes three times). This is the only way you can maintain proper hygiene.

Aster I washed up, I fixed me a cup mixed with cappucino. I can't drink black coffee to save my life. I either have to have coffee creamers or cappucino. I never smoked so I guedd I deserve to have a little indulgence.

I planned to watch tv but after flicking through the channels there is nothing on - except same ole same ole. The Iraq war news, reality shows, Law & Order. So I decided to go through my old pictures. I have over 400 pictures. As I look through them, I think about how long I've been locked up. I come to my grandmother's pictures. She passed away in 1998. That was a very low point in my incarceration. Damn, I miss her so much. I often pretend she is watching me especially when I struggle with making a bad decision as opposed to doing the right thing - she never steered me wrong.

I end the day in deep thought and read my philosophy book until I fall asleep. Maybe we'll get off tomorrow.

Prison on lockdown

2007-08-11T03:41:00.000-07:00

Day 1 (June 11, 2007)
Today when I woke up I discovered we are on lock down. I did not know what for but I know it had something to do with a security issue. The C/O announced on the intercom that there will be no visits and no job assignments will be going out. This means a level 1 lock down - which is the highest level.

Being in prison you become accustomed to lock downs. They are just as predictable as they are unpredictable.
In a way I was looking forward to a brief lockdown, to break the monotony of prison norms. I've had a lot of my mind lately and needed a little time to sort it all out.

Lock downs can be a blessing for some and a curse to others. On lockdown you can take advantage of the opportunity to steal a moment of peace. You can catch up on some reading, write letters, make plans and just relax.
If you are on lockdown for too long, it can be a curse if you are not a cultivated person. Ennui can set in and idle time becomes the devil's workshop: anger, fear, anxiety, lust etc... all the negative emotions can get a hold of you. You become imprisoned within a prison. I know because I've been there.

During lockdown you reflect on the past. I've been locked up so long I really don't think about the streets too much. I mostly reflect on prison life and how the prisons used to be run. We were allowed to go on family picnics, we could take pictures and the programs, MAN the programs!
We used to be able to earn a four year college degree. We had study lines, drama classes, talent shows etc. Now those days are gone and everything is a routine (a true human warehouse).

So what should I do on day one. I decided to keep a journal and write down my thoughts. Later I'll watch some tv and read a few chapters in my philosophy book.

Going back to move forward

2007-07-19T03:17:00.000-07:00

In an intense moment of reverie I imagined what it would be like to have the power to make one wish where you could wish for anything you want. What would one wish for? Money? Everlasting life? The ability to read other's minds? What would you wish for? I know what I would wish for - the power to turn back the hands of time.

Life moves so fast we often miss out on the precious moments - never realizing it until we look back.

I would go back to feel the spirit of loved ones who passed. I would go back and take advantage of opportunities I let slip by because I was naive or too stupid. I would go back to make amends to all those I've hurt. I would go back just to remember what it felt like when life was so simple - not having to worry about where to live, what to eat or can I pay the bills. A time when being nobody meant being somebody.

Yeah every now and then, when I am at peace, I catch a glimpse of what I missed. I yearn to go back. Then I wake up and realize that now will be then and all I can do is live for today. With God's help and lessons of the past I can move forward!

Overcrowded prisons...

2007-07-12T06:53:00.000-07:00

Good news! The prisons here have become so crowded that our governor and legislative body have introduced new laws (hoped to be passed) that would entitle us to earn extra good time.
So anyone serving 50% of their sentence (like me) can essentially cut their sentence to 35%. We can earn good time for school and work/good conduct and since I have displayed all of the above I would be entitled to the full amount of good time (15%). So off a 40 year sentence all I would have to serve is 14 years and I am well over that amount.
If the bill passes, it will become effective in January of 2008 and I will be released.
EVERYONE: keep fingers crossed!!!

Getting stuck in the court system!

2007-06-25T14:37:00.001-07:00

Justice should be about righteousness and not about procedural bars. A threat to justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

My case has been overlooked by the court system. I pled guilty to the attempted murder charge in 1992 due to the fact that my then attorney (mrs. Pantle) told me I had no choice. A week later the victim contacted my family to see why I would plead to a charge I didn't do. I immediately tried to withdraw my plea with the victim's affadavit and argued that my lawyer coerced the plea. She filed a motion to withdraw as my counsel to be a witness for the state against my motion.
So what did the court do? It denied my motion without an evidentiary hearing and then denied counsel motion to withdraw, leaving her to represent me on my murder case. With the results as described on this page.

So you can see how my defense was limited at my murder trial. None of the evidence proving my innocence was presented and only a few issues were preserved for direct appeal. My appeals were affirmed. As well as my post conviction petitions. On my appeal and first post conviction petition I raised the issue of my innocence and mentioned that two witnesses could prove my innocence. However under Illinois law you must provide a sworn affadavit from any witness. Since I was locked up and did not have any way to contact these witnesses on time, let alone if they wanted to cooperate, my appeals were denied.

I filed a successive petition based on a new court ruling that dealt with the way a jury trial should be conducted. At this time a lawyer was appointed for the first time to assist me in my post trial rulings. At this time the lawyer sent investigators to find two witnesses whom gave sworn statements proving my innocence.

However, now I am in a catch 22 situation trying to get this evidence heard. Since it was raised on an earlier court date I have to overcome a legal situation called res judicata. This means that you can't bring up evidence that was once brought up before. In essence the court system can deny my issues without as so much as a hearing from a single witness.
Besides the court system there is executive clemency which the governor can take into consideration regarding these factors.

I have been petitioning the governor of Illinois since 2005 trying to get my case a fair review. Witnesses never heard by the court gave live testimony to the prison review board that support my innocence claim. I still have not received a fair review.

In 2002 former governor Ryan pardoned 4 death row inmates who claimed they were forced to make incriminating statements (these were high profile cases). These inmates are free. Not one of them had a single shred of evidence that they were innocent but did have proof that the police beat them. Should they have been granted clemency? YES, but not because they were high profile cases and had political support.

Illinois has a long history of placing innocent men on death row. One point that is overlooked is that in Illinois death row inmates receive more safeguard than any other inmate / criminal defendant. Despite these safeguards a vast amount of inmates still are places on death row. Considering these facts, how many non-death penalty cases do you think innocent men are sent off to prison?

Something needs to be done about this.
Justice should be about righteousness and not about procedural bars. A threat to justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

Patterson case

2007-06-19T10:25:00.000-07:00

There was this case that our Supreme Court heard, called the Patterson case. His case was the groundbreaker on the police torture claims. Ironically the court still refused to grant him release. Our former governor (Ryan) granted four of these individuals full clemency and released them. The court system just turned a blind eye.

The only thing that upset me about their cases and mine is that the only reason they got so much attention was because they were high profile cases (death penalty). The average case gets swept under the rug. Second, it is no doubt that these individuals were beaten y the police but none had evidence showing they were actually innocent. No witnesses came forth and most had other evidence besides their statements adding to their guilt. I do and that is why I am pushing hard for my case.

Burge reports

2007-06-09T03:25:00.000-07:00

Just last week a professor at the school was on the news, talking about the ‘Burge Reports’ as it has all become known. He said the special investigation into the allegations was whitewashed. The Special Prosecutor who was assigned to the matter wasted the taxpayers’ money and to date not one police officer has been held accountable. They want Burge charged criminally, (he is retired in Florida), but it is unlikely, since the statue of limitation on the crimes committed have run its course.

What frustrates me is everybody acts like this is something new. I remember during the time in question, suspects were so scared to go into police station areas #2 and #3, they used to turn themselves in to Rush Ewing (a reporter). Now that the matter has come to light, a lot of politicians see this as a chance to get noticed. But no one is getting involved in these cases.

What my day looks like

2007-06-08T07:32:00.000-07:00

In the morning I go to the gym or yard to exercise. I then come in and get ready for work. I work in the prison industry program (bakery). I don't cook or bake. I just load trucks and process shipping orders. I work from 2-10 pm (often overtime). I then come in and listen to my radio (mostly 80s music). I really don't watch tv too much because it seems like the same things are on. Reality shows are taking over. So I read novels on my off days.

Dignity

2007-06-07T03:49:00.000-07:00

I think in prison all can be taken from you except your dignity. For a man to be dependent is a strike against his dignity. It's a different feeling when you get something knowing you earned it as opposed to someone giving you something. I think this should carry over to when guys are released. If you get out of prison (often called the belly of the beast) with a dependent mind you'll be lazy, full of content, and always looking for a handout in life. Then when you don't get it you tend to blame other people or get frustrated and try and take something that belongs to someone else and pretty soon you'll be back in prison.

First blog

2007-05-24T14:46:00.001-07:00

Waiting for Charles to send me his first blog, through snailmail.