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.