My Heart is Full

To my Family of supporters,

Before the last 20 years I use to think that people just didn't really care. I sat in this prison with a lot of anger and frustration wondering, why me. A friend told me once no matter how hard the journey if you just believe, God will see you through. My sister reminds me daily don't forget God willing. Our journey sometimes will hold steps we never knew were coming, and even though we don't know it's direction, we still have to take them anyway. And I applaud those of you who chose to walk my journey with me. God willing, we are at the end of this. 

And I say we because of each little thing, be it a tear or a prayer that you offered, we made it. And not to name names, but a special thank you to Wendy, Francine, Christine, Heather, Ian, Maryann, Mary, Paul, Dagmar, Kathy, Vicki, Donetta, Tim and Beverly, Deborah, Tom and Carolyn, Charlie and Maria, Maryellen and Michael, Casey, and countless others who have come and gone, and all those I would be here forever trying to name, as well as the new people who are just now joining!

You are a beautiful people. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I consider you all family as I lost most of my family in these years sitting here. And I look forward to getting to know you all once I get out there with you...God willing. 

God really does bless and I do believe in prayer. You are the evidence of that. God Bless you and keep you.

Sincerely,
Arthur

Staying Busy During the Pandemic

Greetings, everyone. I trust you are all keeping safe in this corona virus era. Just watching the news depresses me. I lost a cousin to it, but everyone else seems okay. 

Sadly it's getting deeply embedded in the prisons. It hit at my guys on death row, actually in the block I lived in when I was there. They survived. Only one case there right now. We are on our third round with it. It tore through here in January and touched just about every one including me. That was before they really knew. They put it down as respiratory and unlike the other prisons it touched, we didn't lose anyone. Or so we think? 

Just yesterday we found out another dorm was placed on quarantine, and it was the dorm that houses the guys who work the kitchen. Who worked in the kitchen the day before. The prison never announced it, so they were working the kitchen up to the day they quarantined them. It's getting a little scary, as the only precautions they have are passing out masks once every other month and soap. 

It's been a blessing that we maybe haven't had a death as of yet, though the guy they took out was really bad off, with an ambulance and everything. The DRC no longer updates what is going on with this on their website, so we have no idea what's really happening. 

But so far I'm safe as can be, and with nine months before I return to the parole board, I will try to stay safe. All else is well, it's about to be my busy season. I have already started facilitating The Tyro Dad classes twice a week, twice a day, two hour sessions. It's going pretty good. I'm also in the middle of my janitorial apprenticeship. I need about 800 more hours to complete the 2000 required hours. On the 21st of this month the new semester starts. I have three classes, and the same day I start IOP classes that are four days a week, two hours a day. Yes, it's a lot, but I'm at my best when I'm busy. And this is all good for the parole board, so please keep me in your prayers. 

Till next time, stay you...stay safe. 

Blessings,

Arthur

My COVID Experience

Greetings everyone. It's been a while since the last blog. No excuses, though I didn't have my tablet machine and with 240 guys using the four public machines for 15 minutes a pop, I just didn't feel like getting in that race! Not having my tablet has also held up my book writing, but that was just me being lazy too. 

With this corona virus going around, and yes it has been at this prison as well, we just fared better than those other prisons who lost people. I stopped counting after 50 and just pray that God keeps me safe, and so far so good. 

But everything else has gotten worse. They talk about how cleanliness helps curd the spread, not possible with guys who are nasty already, so that hasn't changed. It's also not possible to have 6ft distancing. The beds are 2ft apart with a neighbor on top. The food cooking area is a mess too. 240 guys using two microwaves, and I never really figured out why guys think Ramen noodles should be cooked for an hour! But that's how most seem to like it. 

They did give us masks to wear. I ended up buying four. Better to be safe than sorry, as one out of five will wear their mask daily. I actually believe I had the virus already, and no I don't want it again. I have been here 37 years and was blessed to never catch the common cold. In January, something hit me and held on for almost 8 weeks. I had just about every symptom they say the corona virus carries. Sadly, whatever that was, it touched almost every bed. It was bad!  They still haven't acknowledged that that's what it was, but no one here died that we know of, and only two guards and one inmate ever tested positive. So they say. 

We are still on Code Red Lockdown, which they have no plans to change anytime soon. This means no programs. The only school is college on tablets. 40 minutes of recreation twice a day, and brunch and dinner. Otherwise we are in our pod. Oh, and we lost a Warden that was actually trying to make some changes. And this is what you missed between this blog and the last. The good in all this is I am down to less than a year before I see the parole board. Prayers are needed, and a lot of support. Next summer I will face them and hope that they will see to letting me go home. I know they will want to know what supports I have, so if you can be a part of my transition back to the community, I would greatly appreciate it. 

Til next time, stay safe, stay well.

Blessings,
Arthur

Hoping I'm on the Path to Freedom

Greetings everyone,

Trust I haven't been gone too long for those who are following me. Its gotten busy again for me which is what I like. I'm doing Ashland University, a Janitorial apprenticeship, and I'll start a Handyman Home Improvement class soon. I'll also be starting a class called Intensive Outpatient Program too.That's going to be a good one. And I still do the daily Reintegration program stuff--Pro Social Classes,Community Service,Computer Lab time, etc.

How do I do all this in a day? Little sleep! 😀 Why do I do it? Because it's all about rehabilitation. Showing the system and the parole board that I'm  ready to reenter society as a productive asset. And it's funny actually because you have to do it either way. I have been telling people about being innocent for years, but it's fallen on deaf ears for the most part of the system. I say that because even though the parole board stood up and helped me with their recommendation--which directed the Governor to get me off death row,and eventually out of the sentence of life without parole,I still have to go through the process of actually making parole.

Doing things that show them I have changed and that I can be productive--that I'm rehabilitated. It really doesn't matter anymore that I am innocent of the murder I am here for. I am now going through the process of the parole system as if I did the murder and I am at the point of asking to be paroled and set free. Doing everything in my power to ensure it. And that's where the power of belief and faith comes in.As well as, a little fear. 

You see, I wear a tag. I was on death row and that comes with a fear for most.They really can't see that I may have really been innocent. That I may have changed my ways. That I am doing the rehabilitation that is expected of me. All they see is the tag. And that's what scares me right now as I'm coming up for parole. Now I think that coming off death row actually hurts me. I don't think it matters that the parole board spoke up for me, or that Governor Kasich made it possible for me to get out of prison when he commuted the life without parole sentence. Or that I could be innocent. I'm doing everything in my power to show the person I really am.

I don't want to keep harping on the fact that I am innocent, but I have done 37 years for the crime. I was on death row because of a mistake a judge made and it never was corrected. I never should have had to wear the tag of being on death row. And I can only hope and pray that it is not held against me when I face the parole board this time.

Pray with me and for me...
Sincerely,
Arthur.

All My Hard Work at Risk

Greetings all! I know I'm suppose to be writing for my book, but I want to go off course for a moment to tell you all that I have completed this year with many accomplishments and hope that one small issue doesn't jeopardize all my hard work.

One of the best things is I finished a semester at Ashland University. I took Economics, English and Business Management. I also completed the Edwins cooking class with a B average. Economics with a B and English with a B+.I completed the Haccp Food Safety program with an A. I will complete The Customer Service Class next month. I completed the Photovoltiacs course-Solar Panel Installment, and I will have completed Phase 4 of Reintegration once I complete my 180 hours of community service. You can see some of my certificates on my website. And I started the two year Janitorial Apprenticeship in September, but I probably won't complete that because I'm down to 18 months before I see the Parole Board.

Things at this prison were rolling along pretty good until recently. On top of everything I was doing with classes, I was facilitating sessions for Tyro Dads. It's a part of The Ridge Program, an "outside the walls" program for guys getting out of prison. I sit on the board. So I am forever busy. No time to get in trouble. I do the right thing...until one time I didn't. 

One day I got off my bed and walked to the wall and back before count cleared. I was not suppose to be off my bed, but I have this problem with diabetic neuropathy. It makes your feet burn really bad and the only thing to help is to walk on them. Well, a Sargent was looking to write conduct reports and it just happened to be that day I was off the bed.This man knows I go out of my way not to break the rules. I even work for him in the janitorial program. He knows I can't go in front of the parole board with even this minor write up. My last minor write ups were for painting the tip of my boot after I spilled oil on my brand new boots and for having 18 candy bars and butter without my receipt. I got 3 additional years for that! 

So yes, this scares me, for what they might do this next time. I tried to go through the chain of command to see if I may could get a little compassion.This is suppose to be reintegration.They are suppose to be helping us get ready for society. First, the Sargent told me there was nothing he can do even though he was the one who wrote the ticket. I asked the next level of command if there anything I could do, such as community service or something to make this go away. He basically told me he didn't care and that the ticket sticks. I asked if could I appeal it and he said no. Later I saw the warden walking the yard and approached him about it and he referred me to the Unit Manager who told me it was out of her hands because it was already in the computer, which was a lie. When I told her the Warden's Assistant told me she could, she got really angry and said, "You shouldn't have broken any rules."

All the good work I've done here don't mean anything now.That ticket can hurt me really bad and no one cares.

I plan to leave this place. Hopefully sometime soon, I will be writing to you from a different prison and 18 months from now, I'll be Home.

Hope your 2020 is off to a good start.

Peace and Blessings,
Arthur

Nothing to Worry About...Or do I? Continued

Greetings...Back again to tell you more of my story. 

Looking back I see where I stepped deeper into this trying to get myself out of it. It wasn't just my bad lawyer or the prosecutor, it was my attitude and my lack of knowledge about what I was facing. I had fell under the illusion that if you didn't do anything you didn't have anything to worry about. I mean, how can you hide evidence that is right in your face?

Leroy Head didn't just confess to the Gillis brothers and his mom, but he confessed to anyone who would listen. I had over 10 different affidavits from inmates stating Leroy confessed to them over a period of years. None of which made it in front of any court. They claimed that this evidence wasn't credible because they were inmates. Yet they themselves used inmates to convict me. Anthony Gillis was the worse of them all. At the time of him giving the statement against Leroy, this dude was giving a statement against his own brother for another murder. The police were actually going around looking for a gang of guys that were robbing the elderly in the neighborhood.Which happened to be the Gillis brothers, Leroy Head and a few others. So when Anthony Gillis was arrested for this, he gave his own brother up for a murder he had done and Leroy for the murder of Sanders Leach to help get out of the mess he was in. When Leroy decided to put his murder on me, it wasn't hard for them to convince Gillis to change what he had said at the start. He had five different cases pending himself. This was a man who was in prison when he testified against me and walked out of the county jail an hour later. Between Anthony Gillis and Leroy Head, 19 different statements were made. And that was their evidence as to who did this murder.  They didn't have any except their twisted words. These two boys with all these different statements. And somehow the prosecutor found a way to convince a jury that these two were making these stories up initially out of fear of me hurting their families.

So where were my lawyers while all this was going? I had Mr. William Chapman as an attorney at this point. So, I didn't really have an attorney. This man allowed all this to happen and then came to visit me one day and told me that they were now putting this murder on me and that I was facing the death penalty. The trial was a mess. This man was so bad the judge turned his back on the court and went to sleep. It took the jury all of 20 minutes to find me guilty and a day to sentence me to death.The courtroom was filled with lawyers and judges who just shook their heads when the verdict came in. I was the talk of the courthouse over this farce.

Everything that could have went wrong did go wrong. Even I knew this wouldn't stand. Off to death town I went. The most horrible moment in all of this was when I stepped in that cell and that door closed behind me. All the life went out of me...And the drama got deeper....But that is for another time.

As always,thank you for listening...Peace, Arthur

Chapter One-Got Nothing To Worry About...Or do I?

Greetings. I am finally in the process of writing my thoughts from over the past years. Thinking it may somehow form a book worth reading. Not really a good writer (yes, someone will be editing), but I will hope to keep to an easy form without too much change.The book will not detail the things that took place daily, but more how I happened to get here and the process that has kept me here for as long as it has. 

Some people trust the system isn't crooked, but those are people who really don't care, just do the job, and they don't want to know. You have those who know something is wrong, who care and try to do something about it. I know some of both. And then there are those who have first hand knowledge of how bad it can go being caught up in this system. That's the story I will tell. It's about bad lawyers, shady prosecutors, judges who know it should go one way but allow it to go however the prosecutor wants. Lying witnesses who don't know the truth but will give what they are told is the truth because they think they are doing the right thing. 

There were no eyewitnesses to the crime. There was no physical evidence.This case started with Anthony Gillis and Leroy Head being arrested along with others on an unrelated murder. After a conversation with the Gillis and his brothers, it was determined that Leroy Head was the person who shot and killed Mr.Sanders Leach. After this, Leroy Head confessed to his Mom and then the detective's who were on the case that he committed this murder. He said that he was with a guy named Art, a guy he really didn't know. That was his one truth and the one thing I never denied. He was with me that day and we did go all the way to the Meat Market. But everything after that was on him, not on me. My wrong in this is I didn't do the right thing with it. I thought, "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" was the code. I didn't do anything wrong so why involve myself? The second worse decision I ever made in life.

The first being my choice of lawyers. I had the worse lawyer in the history of lawyers. Mr.William Chapman, other lawyers referred to him as "two-suit Chapman." He had one dirty blue suit and one dirty black suit. He hung around the third floor courtroom hustling the cases the court paid lawyers to plea out. I didn't learn all this until later, but at the time he was my star. I didn't know any better. He was my thousand dollar lawyer who guaranteed he would win this case. How could he not? After all, I didn't do anything wrong and they had Leroy Head's confession. So I was under an illusion of freedom. I had the paid lawyer and they had Leroy's confession. What could go wrong? I had actually gotten rid of some decent attorneys to hire this man. My third worse decision. See, I realize now that I can't blame anyone but myself for being here. All they did at the beginning was get out of my way and I walked myself right into the noose.

I had the shadiest prosecutor ever, William Gerstenslager. He made one objection that resounds in my head today.The judge had made a ruling that he was not going to allow Mr. Chapman to handle my case in his courtroom.That's the first time I should have listened. The prosecutor objected and told the judge that he couldn't object to the lawyer of my choosing. I bought into that so hard that I objected to the judge telling me who I can hire. Dumb,dumb,dumb,dumb,dumb! Punches we're now being thrown. I threw the first one and hit myself in the mouth.The prosecutor never wanted me to have lawyers the court appointed. He never needed to convince me. He just tweaked my ego and let me think I was in control. And I placed the noose around my own neck. Gerstenslager just tightened it. 

That was the beginning of this nightmare. Have you ever awoken one day and just knew that the day was all wrong? That it wasn't going to go as it normally did.That it wasn't going to end as it should .I did and I couldn't do anything about it as you will see...

Be blessed everyone. This story continues...Peace, Arthur

My First Mistake

Greetings good people who take time out for me! 

The latest news with me is that I started taking classes at Ashland University last week. It's been so long since I've done this that I actually forgot what it takes to have a full load. It will be challenging for sure, but I will always find time to drop by here for a chat.😊 

I've been thinking that maybe for those of you who are truly following my situation, that you would like to know how I got caught up in this--all the behind the scene antics that one prosecutor went through to destroy my life because he was angry at me. I take my blame as well for not just doing the right thing, but it never should have ended up this drastic. I have actually started a book on it. Not so much about being here, but about how I got here and why this has gone on so long.That's a story you must know to understand how I have spent most of my adult life in prison. 

We always want to think that when something like this happens, when a man's life is at stake--facing the death penalty, that everything is done correctly. I mean, if you want to try and justify legally killing a man or keeping him in prison for almost 40 years, it should at least be above water how you do it. We all believe that justice system is correct.That these people who hold the power over a person's life would not fall to dirty tactics. I even thought that at one time myself. I would have bet my life that people would never have convicted me for a murder I didn't commit. No way! But that was not the case. Now with all the exonerations of innocent people, everyone can see how bad it really is.The exonerated were the blessed ones. God's intervention that they didn't die on death row. And yes, I was blessed as well with my sentence commuted, but it's not in its completion yet. I still have a ways to go. And we will get me there eventually. But it won't be justice. We are well beyond getting justice, and they will never say that I am innocent of this crime.

So I must go through the PROCESS before they will release me. So far the court, appeal and clemency process have not gone in my favor, so no, I don't trust the process. In fact, I feel mistreated by the process. It all started when I was 23 years old. I really wasn't a criminal beyond a few petty crimes.I had never really dealt with the wheels of the system.The upper echelon so to speak. I knew how serious the shooting of Sanders Leach was, but they had the person who did the actual murder. He had confessed. He just mentioned my name as being a part of it. Okay, so I thought if I explain my part, everything will be okay, right? No evidence and no witness. Just this person saying he was with me when he killed this man.No worries,right? That was my first bad decision-thinking no worries. So I came down to the police station to talk with the police and tell them why I was there. And here I sit, 37 years later and counting. Still hoping...And that's where the story will begin, with that first bad decision of thinking no worries.

So keep your eyes on this space and I will walk you through what happen and how I got here...More later...Peace.Arthur.

A Few Good Things

Greetings all,

This will be my little catch you up info-gram for those who have missed a step.You know normally good things and jail are not synonymous, but I'm finding a few good things. And this is surprising even me.I mean its jail, but so many good things are going on.Sadly most of the youngsters are not taking advantage of it. You would be surprised at what they offer. From schooling to the trades; janitorial training, solar panel installation, Edwin's culinary courses, computer training, dog training, and even the simplest of things, like GED.

Take me for instance. I never drew or painted anything in my life.There is an art teacher here, Ms. Fye, who sat me down and in five weeks I completed a self-portrait and painted a cat that was so good it was framed. Just wish I had more time take more classes.When I talk about my greatest teachers in life, she would be at the top. She taught me that I could do something I never dreamed I could do. 

I have been in this prison a little over a year now and I have completed over 50 programs. In four weeks, I will have completed Edwin's cooking program. In five more weeks, I will have completed Photovoltaic, the solar panel installation program. On September 16th,I start Ashland University"s Business Administration's Basic Business Course.

I have already completed a Certified Paralegal Program out of Ohio University. If I can do all this within the last two years at 59 years young, can you imagine what one of these young brothers could come out of here with? And that's what I mentor to them now--don't miss opportunities. Whatever you want to do is available here. Prison can again be about rehabilitation. All you have to do is take advantage of it. I have...Next step,teaching that there is a better direction in doing the right thing...

Til next time...Arthur...

Riding the Waves of Highs and Lows

Greetings All,

Been awhile since I last sat with you,so I thought I'd start our chat with Ups and Downs over the past year. In class we call them Highs and Lows and we talk about them daily in the Tyro Dads Class.That's one of my Highs. I just recently joined the Executive Board of Tyro Dads.It's a Ridge Project program that gives support to guys leaving prison to try to help them not come back to prison.I would have been a part of that when I got out, but as you know the parole board decided I should do three more years before they consider releasing me.

Since I didn't get out they gave me a place on the board here and are allowing me to facilitate classes. Another good is I made level one! That's the lowest level you can go when you are doing well. And it shows the parole board that you are doing well. Don't know that they pay it much attention to it though. As I've been doing good all along, and they still claimed my attitude hasn't changed. 

I have most of my reintegration programs completed.What takes everyone else three years to complete has taken me one year. I'm doing the AA and the NA classes even though I don't use drugs or drink.I take them in the event I run across someone who needs my help that does indulge.I took an art course that brought the artist out of me. I'm about to start my Solar Panel Installation course, Edwins and the Janitorial course to help make myself employable. If I end up having to do the entire three years, I will complete the Arborist Course they have here and a Business Course at Ashland University.

Since I have a parole date within three years it opens the door to all the courses they have here, and they have many. With all that I can do here, I can actually turn this into a college experience rather than just a prison experience. And I'm trying to get the younger guys to see this.They can actually come out of this with a good experience, rather than it just being a prison stay. This prison offers so many things, but too many aren't taking advantage of it.That's one of the jobs I take on. Getting them to change directions.

So those have been my Highs. My lows? I have a few complaints, but nothing that can bring me to a pause.I have my eye on the place I need to be and I won't let anything keep me from there.God has blessed me well to put me in the position I'm in. To put the people in my life that I have. I won't be letting anyone down. I especially won't let me down. I will ride this wave God put me on all the way to shore...As always, thank you for listening.

Stay blessed...

Yours,
Arthur

Don't Like it, But It Could be Worse

Greetings all. We find ourselves at the end of another year with me still sitting here waiting for this journey to complete. For those who don't know, the parole board thought I needed another three years to complete the process, if even that completes it. I have finally come to the conclusion that it will not be over til I walk out the front door of this system. We have had two disappointments before; when I got off death row and we thought I was coming home and when I got reduced from life without parole and was given the chance to go home. But I will not complain about that. 

Actually, after what the system did to Anthony Apanovitch, a guy who was on death row with me for over 30 year, I know I got blessed and will not complain. None of these things was newsworthy. Not my case or his.They had actually allowed him to get off death row right after me and go home. He spent over three years out in the free world and then this past month they went and removed him from his home and placed him back on death row. I know I will have problems til the day I walk out this door, but I will not complain. God is good and I just have to stay patient. My day will come. So those are my thoughts for the new year--have patience and don't complain. Do what you know to do and everything will take care of itself.

Since it seems I will be here a bit longer, I have a lot of plans. My record reflects that my parole date is three years away, which opens a door to me that would normally be closed. I can now take all the classes and programs open to those going home. Free of charge. So I will take advantage of it. I just got enrolled in the Photovoltaic Installer course. I will also be taking the Arborist course. Didn't even know what that was til now! I will also do the Edwin's Course. I decided to stay in my art class. We will now be doing ink drawings and I'm looking forward to that. I should be taking the CASA test in order to enroll in Ashland University in February and the Janitorial accreditation program. All this along with the mandatory programs for being in the reintegration program. Yes, I will be busy and looking forward to time flying...

The hope is still that the governor does something, but it's just that--a hope.We will see. In the meantime, I will enjoy life as it flows. I hope God's blessings touch each of your days...Til next time...

Peace to you,

Arthur

 

SADLY...Three More Years

HELLO EVERYONE,

SADLY, IT HAS BEEN A WHILE SINCE I'VE WRITTEN ANYTHING AND I WILL PROBABLY BE USING THAT WORD SADLY A LOT. IT SEEMS THE PAROLE BOARD, WHO WERE SO ON OUR SIDE THE LAST FEW YEARS, HAS DECIDED THAT IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA THAT I DO THREE MORE YEARS.  NOT TO COME HOME IN THREE YEARS, BUT TO RETURN TO THE BOARD TO SEE IF THEY WILL LET ME COME HOME. SADLY THIS IS BEING PLAYED OUT OVER AND OVER WITH OTHER GUYS HERE TOO.THREE YEARS THIS TIME, MAYBE FIVE THE NEXT TIME. THEN, WHAM! TEN YEARS. A GUY THEN ENDS UP NEVER GETTING OUT, WITH ALREADY HAVING 30 YEARS IN, OR MAYBE 40 YEARS.

SADLY, I HAVE NO REAL POWER THERE.THEY DO WHAT THEY CHOOSE WHEN THEY CHOOSE. THEIR RATIONAL FOR THIS THREE YEARS WAS THAT I HAD AMASSED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF CONDUCT REPORTS AND THAT I FAILED TO DEMONSTRATE POSITIVE CHANGE.THEY ALSO STATED THAT DUE TO THE SERIOUS NATURE OF THE CRIME, MY RELEASE INTO SOCIETY WOULD CREATE UNDO RISK TO PUBLIC SAFETY. THAT MY RELEASE WOULD NOT FURTHER THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE OR BE CONSISTENT WITH THE WELFARE AND SECURITY OF SOCIETY. THEY BELIEVE THAT I WILL ENGAGE IN FURTHER CRIMINAL CONDUCT. 

YES, MY THOUGHT EXACTLY. SADLY, AFTER 35 YEARS IN HELL-31 OF THOSE YEARS SPENT ON DEATH ROW FOR A MURDER I DID NOT COMMIT, A MURDER THAT THE PAROLE BOARD ITSELF FOUND DOUBT WITH. THAT AFTER 50 DIFFERENT PROGRAMS BEING IN REINTEGRATION. AFTER BEING A PART OF EVERY HONOR STATUS PROGRAM AT EVERY PRISON I HAVE BEEN IN, INCLUDING DEATH ROW, BEING A MENTOR FOR TWO YEARS, BEING IN REINTEGRATION AFTER BECOMING A CERTIFIED PARALEGAL, A TUTOR, HELPING OTHERS GET THEIR G.E.D'S.HAVING NO VIOLENCE ON MY RECORD AGAINST STAFF OR INMATE, EVEN WHILE ON DEATH ROW THEY DECIDED I HAVE FAILED TO DEMONSTRATE POSITIVE CHANGE!

ALL THE GOOD I HAVE DONE DIDN'T MEAN ANYTHING AND SADLY I DON'T KNOW THAT IT EVER WILL.THEY NEVER EVEN MENTIONED THE FACT THAT I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING MY INNOCENCE ALL THESE YEARS AND THAT THEY THEMSELVES FOUND DOUBT TO THE FACT THAT I WASN'T THE PRINCIPAL OFFENDER, MEANING I WASN'T THE ONE WHO KILLED MR.LEACH.WHAT I HAVE BEEN TELLING EVERYBODY ALL THESE YEARS.

SADLY, I KNOW THEY WILL NEVER REALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT I MAY BE INNOCENT, OR EVER APOLOGIZE FOR WHAT THE STATE OF OHIO DID TO CONVICT ME. SADLY, I WILL ALWAYS HAVE THIS STIGMA ON ME OF BEING A MURDERER AND HAVING TO HOPE THIS PAROLE BOARD ONE DAY LETS ME GO HOME. I THOUGHT THIS WAS THAT DAY AND NO MATTER HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS, I KNOW I STILL HAVE TO DO THE RIGHT THING. I STILL HAVE TO GO ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF MAKING THE PAROLE BOARD SEE ME AS SOMETHING WORTHY OF LEAVING THIS HELL HOLE. AND I WILL.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU ALL.

YOURS TRULY,

ARTHUR

Changes We Don't Ask For

It has been a while since I last had a chat with you all.

For all you who don't know, I lost my job as Mentor at the Reception Center in Lorain where I mentored inmates before they were assigned their prison. I also was sent to the Richland  prison in Mansfield. This was a job I was really good at. I used to not think so until I got to the prison I'm now in. I did influence a lot more guys than I felt. A lot of the guys remembered me and my arrival here has been great. In the last week I have run into and been embraced by a lot of the guys that came here after my class. Everyone of them remembered Mr.T., so I did touch a lot of these guys with my story. 

For those who are wondering, no I didn't lose my job for doing something wrong. One of the staff there felt the need to show me who is in charge and that what she says goes. As a mentor one of the perks was that your level would be dropped when your tour was done. My tour was actually over last year, but they started a new thing when it came time that you would have to do two years before you are reviewed. To drop levels just means that you go to somewhere less secure with a better, more trusting situation. So they asked for another year. I agreed with the promise that when my review came due I would be recommended for a lower level.

I went up in November and my case manager recommended that my level be dropped from level two to level one. Then we changed case managers and a new girl came in. After three months had passed, I asked if she would check and see what was going on with my review as I hadn't heard anything. When she pulled up my file we found out that after the other case manager sent it to staff, no one turned it in to Columbus Central office. So they had to re-do it. When this woman did my review she decided she would not recommend that my level be dropped. She was leaving me a level two. I asked why when I had put my two years in? Her answer,and I quote,"We are not recommending you for level one because it would look bad for the prison to allow you with just four years off death row to go to our less secure prison. You have to do some more time in level 2." I asked if I could have the appeal forms because anyone has the right to appeal any decision made on your behalf. It was like I insulted her for challenging her decision. Her exact words were, "Oh you don't get it, huh?" Three days later a transfer to Richland had been approved. 

My attorney contacted the Columbus Central Office to find out why I was being transferred and was told it was because I told the prison I no longer wanted to be a Mentor and they couldn't leave me at Lorain. Was this wrong? Of course because I never asked to be transferred. But I now have a grand idea of how egos work. And I know not to brush anyone the wrong way again. This woman felt the need to make me pay for challenging her decision.

An inmate has no real rights. It's do what they say, right or wrong. Period. They can affect things to go so wrong. I never said I didn't want to be a mentor anymore, but technically requesting to have my level dropped was saying I no longer wanted to be level two. But you know it's funny how things work. She thought she was punishing me, but I can thank her for this because I have more opportunities here to be an informal mentor, to teach classes, and participate in all the programs available.  I'm already on the ground running.This is another prison setting, but I will, as always, make it work for me. Thank you...You did me justice.

New Year-New You?

Greetings all,

It's been a while since our last chat, so here I am. A new year, a new place in time, and for most of you, a new you. I always wondered why most of us think with a new year there has to be a new you. As if last year's you wasn't good? Being better is good, but just being you is best I think.

I did well with everything this last year. My anger, my patience, my giving. I picked up on daily Bible reading, and praying and meditating. My "Anger, Power, Violence and Drugs" class is going great. More about that another time! And I have the best of friends. I liked the last year me!

The biggest thing to happen in 2017 was the parole board's decision. They again recommended that I be eligible for parole, which I thought would have me home by now. So, in this year I do hope to be home, just as me, because the me I am now is a really good me!

When I look back and examine my life, I'm as rich as I can get. I have so many of my needs and wants, other than my freedom, met. I have a love for people and people have a love for me. I have God front and center. All that's left is to come home and do all I plan to do. See, I made my big change long ago. I don't have to change with each coming year, I just need to do what I'm suppose to do, and embrace the riches already in my life.

I was asked when I find myself taking one step forward and two steps back, how do I recommit to the path I know I want to be on? Easy. I just never take one step forward, without looking to see if there is a possibility that something could stop my progress for a moment. Had I done so, I wouldn't be where I am now. 

I trust all is well with everyone. I hope and pray my next blog will be from the outside rather than the inside.

Have a beautiful day.

Yours,
Arthur

A Letter to All the 12 Year Olds Out There...Good comes from Good and Bad comes from Bad

I was asked by a friend of mine to write a letter to all the 12 year old boys out there. I really have no idea what to write. I didn't know how to start it and I didn't even think I had anything they would want to hear. And why should they? What do I have to tell them? Then I thought, I have much to tell them! After what I've done. Where I have been. What I've seen. I can tell them not to do what I did. Not to come here, so they don't have to see and experience everything I have over these 34 years.

Dear 12 year-old,

     I may be innocent of what they put me here, but I didn't follow the rules and I didn't follow directions. It created a path I never want another to follow. So first thing you should know-, enjoy being a kid! Enjoy the growth you are about to go through. You are in a place they call tween; between being a kid and teenager.You are in a special place. Still dreaming. Still in awe and still curious. Still realizing your importance. And you are important to this world! 

     Next thing you should know-good or bad, your decisions now will have an impact on your world, and the path you set will be your journey.Knowing right from wrong,how you treat people, being respectful, being a good person, following directions and the rules of society, will keep on the right path.Some of you will be fighters, and will fight to right wrongs of the world. I applaud you. Some of you will be doctors, lawyers, or teachers. A worthy pursuit. That's the fun part of it. Right now you can choose to become anything you want to be. And with the proper direction, you will. It will come. 

     You already know the difference between a good and bad direction. If I took you to a cliff and told you jump,you know that's not a direction you should go. Anything that will bring you harm is never a good direction to go.The same with following the rules.If your Mom tells you to make your bed, and that is one of her rules, you know she will be happy if you do it and unhappy if you don't. Good never comes from breaking the rules.You are learning all this now. Good comes from good and bad comes from bad.

     Please know that at 12 years old, you are making decisions that will follow you through your life. As important as that is, don't grow up too fast. When its time to make your impact on this world, you will...And it will be a grand impact. I don't want you to ever feel what you do now and throughout your life won't be important. Everything you do will be important. You are important. Don't ever allow anyone to tell you you can't do something. Don't ever allow anyone to distract you from what you want to be.Do not be afraid to take on what you want to take on.The world is your stage. Your life is your dance. And I hope you always dance...


Sincerely,

Someone who cares...Arthur

My Greatest Teachers

When you think of your teachers in life that taught you something you think of people.One teacher from my past that I will never forget was Ms.Maxwell. Back in the day for some reason our teacher carried over from first second to third grade I had Ms.Maxwell.She was an older lady with the kindest voice. I remember her because she taught me that no one was dumb and that you could do anything if you tried. All through school I did exactly that.I was never an A+ student, but my grades were good enough to get me into Cleveland State University. Even though I ended up quitting, throughout life I never felt dumb, whatever I faced in life.Ms.Maxwell I will never ever forget...

My Mom was one of my great teachers.She wasn't the hugging type, but she taught me about love.I believe that is one of my greatest assets--knowing how to love, how to allow myself to be loved. Everything important comes from the people who love me, who I love. The love my Mom taught me got me through the hardest parts of my life; losing her and my time on death row. If I didn't have the loving background I grew up in I would have disappeared into this darkness, never to be seen again. I learned to appreciate love because of my Mom.

My greatest teacher is not a person I can name. My greatest teacher is the last 34 years of my life sitting in prison for a murder I didn't commit. It has taught me a patience. I probably would have never otherwise learned this. It has also taught me humbleness and respect.Things I should have learned anyway, but didn't until this happened to me. 

People often come to realize things when they lose it or its taken away.You don't realize how beautiful a sunbeam really is watching it cross a wall. Or a breath of air that goes missing for years. Have you ever really sat and just watched the sun go down? Or felt the joy of the rain and not the misery?

Do you now stand in front of the microwave having a conversation with it because you just can't wait for that last 4 seconds to be done? Patience, Love Humbleness. If you give life the respect it deserves, no matter the outcome, it is truly your greatest teacher. And you can say you were taught well. Now I just want to put that wisdom out in the world. I want to share what my teachers taught me.

Stay blessed and Stay Prayed up,

Arthur