Friends and Supporters: I received a call from Matt. He said that he needs all supporters to write to the Pardon Attorney and explain that Matt is an innocent man that has committed no crime. Explain that Creativity is not a "gang", it is a religion. Tell the Pardon Attorney that Creativity religion does not believe in violence. Stress that Creativity is not a gang. Matt has discovered that someone has sent a letter to that office saying that it is a gang. This is very important!! The president does not like gangs, Matt doesn't either. Matt has filed a notice about the prison sending back your letters unopened and I will be asking you to file a declaration with the court regarding you getting mail returned unopened as soon as it gets on the court docket. The address for the Pardon Attorney follows:
Larry Kupers, Acting Pardon Attorney
Office of the Pardon Attorney
145 N. Street NE
Room 5E-508
Washington, DC 20530
We are coming down the line on Matts petition to the president asking that he grant Matt a "Commutation of Sentence".
Rev Matt Hale Petition for Commutation of Sentence
Rev Matt Hale Petition for Commutation of Sentence
The more letters that are sent to the Pardon Attorney, the better. I am asking for your help!! Please send a letter twice each month.
Thank you,
Ms. H
Friends, here is a form letter to help you with your letter to the Pardon Attorney.
Ms. H
Ms. H
*********************************************************************
Larry Kupers, Acting Pardon Attorney
Office of the Pardon Attorney
145 N. Street NE
Room 5E-508
Washington, DC 20530
Attn: William N. Taylor, II, Executive Officer
Re: A Plea for A Commutation of Sentence on behalf of Matthew Hale #15177-424,
U.S.P. – Max, P.O. Box 8500, Florence. CO 81226-8500
Dear Sir:
I have been informed that the above matter will not even be considered for another one or two years! This is unacceptable given the circumstances involved. Matthew Hale has been incarcerated not for any proven violation of the law, but by virtue of a combination of lies and illegal actions. Furthermore, your office has suffered from deliberate misinformation in this matter. Matthew’s group, Creativity, has been presented to your office—falsely—as representing a gang! Creativity is a belief system; it is religious in nature, so unless you are willing to consider the Roman Catholic Church or Orthodox Jewry as “gangs,” Creativity should be viewed in that light and not as an illegal and dangerous organization.
Under the circumstances previously presented to you—including the transcript of Mr. Hale’s “trial” [link: freematthale.net] fully revealing this terrible miscarriage of justice—I would beg you to move quickly in this matter so that justice may finally be done to an innocent man. There is an old but true axiom, justice delayed is justice denied! Surely every effort should be made to bring this matter to a proper and just solution. No one can give back to Matthew Hale the years he has suffered in durance vile, but his suffering should surely not be sustained because of bureaucratic red tape.
Myself and many others are praying that you in your capacity as Executive Officer of the Office of the Pardon Attorney will bring this matter to the attention of President Trump so that Matthew Hale will be made a free man once again.
Sincerely
____________________________
*****************************************************************************
Dear Mr. Kupers,
DO…
Use the first paragraph to get directly to the point…
I am writing in support of John/Jane Doe’s clemency petition because I firmly believe a commutation of (First name, as in John’s) sentence would be in the best interest of our society, justice, the taxpayer, and last but not least, the family members, friends and loved ones who continue to suffer each day that John/Jane remains incarcerated. (Establish how much time has already been served.) John has already completed 18 years on a 30 year sentence and paid dearly for his crime. (Make it your own – this is just an example…you can expand or be more specific.)
DON’T…
Waste time on sentences that don’t matter – such as “I know you are busy…” or “I’m sure you get a lot of letters…” that’s their job and there’s no reason in stating the obvious. Just get to the point and make every sentence pertain to John/Jane Doe and why they deserve to be chosen out of tens of thousands of applicants.
DO…
Use the second paragraph to establish your connection to the prisoner, if you have one and/or explain why they deserve clemency.
John is my cousin, brother, husband, son… (Or) I have known John since the third grade…we grew up together and played sports/basketball/? or s/he was a very good student, etc. You may know some hardships this person went through, as in domestic violence, or trauma – if so, you can share.
(Create a positive, healthy image.) I always remember John as being a very compassionate person, that cared deeply about family…etc. (Add more reasons why you think John/Jane deserves clemency) John/Jane has taken advantage of many programs offered by the BOP and has a clear record of conduct. Not only does John deserve clemency, but his children deserve to reunite with their father/mother who were only 3 and 7 when s/he went to prison… (Or) Jane’s mother is in ill health and my concern is that she may pass away before Jane is released, which deprives a mother and daughter of a very important bond in the evolution of their relationship. I can’t imagine the anguish I would feel if I could not be at my mother’s side – the very person who brought me into this world – at the moment when she will depart.
DO…
Use the third paragraph to summarize:
In conclusion, I hope you will give strong consideration to John/Jane’s clemency petition and find them worthy of compassion. I pray you will submit their petition with a favorable recommendation to the President for his approval and that he will have mercy on my friend,
cousin, mother … Thank you for your time and consideration regarding this extremely important matter that has the potential to favorably impact many lives. (Again, expand on this – write from the heart.)
Sincerely yours,
(Hit return 4 times and sign your name in this empty space, above your typed name.)
Amy Ralston Povah
If you intend on sending a copy to the president write the following: cc: President Trump (cc stands for “carbon copy” so add whoever you want to send a copy of this letter to –
DO…
Have someone review the letter before you send it to catch any errors and provide feedback. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but fresh eyes will catch typos. If you don’t have anyone to preview it, go ahead and send.
DON’T…
Provide details of the prisoner’s case. Let them do that in their petition. I had someone write, “Amy was completely innocent…” and I’m sure they think they were helping me. I was NOT completely innocent and I admitted to my role in the conspiracy. According to the conspiracy statute, if someone furthers the conspiracy one step, we are guilty for the entire scope of the conspiracy – it’s not fair, but that’s the law and until we change it, we are guilty. So, please don’t provide details of a prisoner’s case that you may or may not be clear about, as it may contradict what is in their petition. You can refer to it as a case of injustice, but just be careful about trying to make the case FOR the petitioner. That’s why you should personalize this letter as one coming from YOU, and why YOU would like to see justice served by encouraging the Pardon Attorney to submit a favorable recommendation to the President to grant the prisoner’s clemency petition.
DO…
End the letter by adding your collective voice as someone who will personally benefit if John/Jane is released and if they will have a positive impact on your life – explain how. If you don’t know John then get creative with how society will benefit. If you are someone who will provide aide to John post-release, state that you would hire John if he needs employment, and/or if you are part of a large support group that will assist Jane in her re-entry process with whatever tools s/he may need to succeed, such as a job, financial aide, computer, etc.
Again, each case is different, some people have large families that will fill that gap – others don’t – so use your judgement and work with others you know are writing letters. Cover all the bases to ease any concern as to how this person will survive, if released. We want to establish the prisoner will have every tool they need to succeed, and be a productive citizen/asset to society if afforded this rare opportunity.
Office of the Pardon Attorney
145 N. Street NE
Room 5E-508
Washington, DC 20530
Attn: William N. Taylor, II, Executive Officer
Re: A Plea for A Commutation of Sentence on behalf of Matthew Hale #15177-424,
U.S.P. – Max, P.O. Box 8500, Florence. CO 81226-8500
Dear Sir:
I have been informed that the above matter will not even be considered for another one or two years! This is unacceptable given the circumstances involved. Matthew Hale has been incarcerated not for any proven violation of the law, but by virtue of a combination of lies and illegal actions. Furthermore, your office has suffered from deliberate misinformation in this matter. Matthew’s group, Creativity, has been presented to your office—falsely—as representing a gang! Creativity is a belief system; it is religious in nature, so unless you are willing to consider the Roman Catholic Church or Orthodox Jewry as “gangs,” Creativity should be viewed in that light and not as an illegal and dangerous organization.
Under the circumstances previously presented to you—including the transcript of Mr. Hale’s “trial” [link: freematthale.net] fully revealing this terrible miscarriage of justice—I would beg you to move quickly in this matter so that justice may finally be done to an innocent man. There is an old but true axiom, justice delayed is justice denied! Surely every effort should be made to bring this matter to a proper and just solution. No one can give back to Matthew Hale the years he has suffered in durance vile, but his suffering should surely not be sustained because of bureaucratic red tape.
Myself and many others are praying that you in your capacity as Executive Officer of the Office of the Pardon Attorney will bring this matter to the attention of President Trump so that Matthew Hale will be made a free man once again.
Sincerely
____________________________
*****************************************************************************
Supporters: I am sending you something that a supporter sent to me that will help you with your letters to the Pardon Attorney. These letters that we send are very important in helping Matt come home. Thank you for every letter you send. For those of you that haven't sent your letters, please take the time to do this for an innocent man that has suffered in solitary confinement for 14 years for a crime he DID NOT commit.
Thank you, Ms. H
Dos and Don’ts when writing the Pardon Attorney
Before you get started, know that timing is everything. We have received no indication that President Trump is interested in granting clemency at this time. We do not discourage people from filing clemency because one never knows what might happen, but we want people to have a good understanding of the process. First, make sure that if the person filing for clemency was denied in a previous petition that 1 year from the denial has elapsed or it could be kicked back for filing too soon. If this is the first time a prisoner is filing, they should have exhausted all of their appeals before seeking executive clemency.
Also, these are TIPS to help people navigate the process, but there is no absolute RULE so keep that in mind when reading the following:
DO…
Write to either the Pardon Attorney, Larry Kupers, the President, or both! Since President Trump has entered office, we have noticed that the White House sends letters and questions about clemency to the Office of the Pardon Attorney, which is a departure from the Obama administration that used to respond to most letters and questions. At this time, we think it is best to direct your correspondence to the Pardon Attorney, Mr. Kupers. But, you can write to either one, and send a copy to the other – please use the “cc” symbol at the very bottom of the letter to alert the president or Pardon Attorney that you have sent a copy of your letter to the other source.
DO…
Use the proper letter format. DO NOT DOUBLE SPACE a letter. Double spacing is used in motions, legal briefs, etc. not in letters. We use the format where everything is flush on the left margin. Date goes first, then the name and address of the person you are sending the letter to, such as:
(fill in the date)
Office of the Pardon Attorney Mr. Larry Kupers 145 N Street N.E. Room 5E.508 Washington, D.C. 20530
OR if you write to the President use this address:
President Donald Trump
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington DC 20500
RE: Clemency Petition for John/Jane Doe (It is important to identify the applicant your letter refers to either here, and/or in the first sentence of the first paragraph.) Before you get started, know that timing is everything. We have received no indication that President Trump is interested in granting clemency at this time. We do not discourage people from filing clemency because one never knows what might happen, but we want people to have a good understanding of the process. First, make sure that if the person filing for clemency was denied in a previous petition that 1 year from the denial has elapsed or it could be kicked back for filing too soon. If this is the first time a prisoner is filing, they should have exhausted all of their appeals before seeking executive clemency.
Also, these are TIPS to help people navigate the process, but there is no absolute RULE so keep that in mind when reading the following:
DO…
Write to either the Pardon Attorney, Larry Kupers, the President, or both! Since President Trump has entered office, we have noticed that the White House sends letters and questions about clemency to the Office of the Pardon Attorney, which is a departure from the Obama administration that used to respond to most letters and questions. At this time, we think it is best to direct your correspondence to the Pardon Attorney, Mr. Kupers. But, you can write to either one, and send a copy to the other – please use the “cc” symbol at the very bottom of the letter to alert the president or Pardon Attorney that you have sent a copy of your letter to the other source.
DO…
Use the proper letter format. DO NOT DOUBLE SPACE a letter. Double spacing is used in motions, legal briefs, etc. not in letters. We use the format where everything is flush on the left margin. Date goes first, then the name and address of the person you are sending the letter to, such as:
(fill in the date)
Office of the Pardon Attorney Mr. Larry Kupers 145 N Street N.E. Room 5E.508 Washington, D.C. 20530
OR if you write to the President use this address:
President Donald Trump
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington DC 20500
Dear Mr. Kupers,
DO…
Use the first paragraph to get directly to the point…
I am writing in support of John/Jane Doe’s clemency petition because I firmly believe a commutation of (First name, as in John’s) sentence would be in the best interest of our society, justice, the taxpayer, and last but not least, the family members, friends and loved ones who continue to suffer each day that John/Jane remains incarcerated. (Establish how much time has already been served.) John has already completed 18 years on a 30 year sentence and paid dearly for his crime. (Make it your own – this is just an example…you can expand or be more specific.)
DON’T…
Waste time on sentences that don’t matter – such as “I know you are busy…” or “I’m sure you get a lot of letters…” that’s their job and there’s no reason in stating the obvious. Just get to the point and make every sentence pertain to John/Jane Doe and why they deserve to be chosen out of tens of thousands of applicants.
DO…
Use the second paragraph to establish your connection to the prisoner, if you have one and/or explain why they deserve clemency.
John is my cousin, brother, husband, son… (Or) I have known John since the third grade…we grew up together and played sports/basketball/? or s/he was a very good student, etc. You may know some hardships this person went through, as in domestic violence, or trauma – if so, you can share.
(Create a positive, healthy image.) I always remember John as being a very compassionate person, that cared deeply about family…etc. (Add more reasons why you think John/Jane deserves clemency) John/Jane has taken advantage of many programs offered by the BOP and has a clear record of conduct. Not only does John deserve clemency, but his children deserve to reunite with their father/mother who were only 3 and 7 when s/he went to prison… (Or) Jane’s mother is in ill health and my concern is that she may pass away before Jane is released, which deprives a mother and daughter of a very important bond in the evolution of their relationship. I can’t imagine the anguish I would feel if I could not be at my mother’s side – the very person who brought me into this world – at the moment when she will depart.
DO…
Use the third paragraph to summarize:
In conclusion, I hope you will give strong consideration to John/Jane’s clemency petition and find them worthy of compassion. I pray you will submit their petition with a favorable recommendation to the President for his approval and that he will have mercy on my friend,
cousin, mother … Thank you for your time and consideration regarding this extremely important matter that has the potential to favorably impact many lives. (Again, expand on this – write from the heart.)
Sincerely yours,
(Hit return 4 times and sign your name in this empty space, above your typed name.)
Amy Ralston Povah
If you intend on sending a copy to the president write the following: cc: President Trump (cc stands for “carbon copy” so add whoever you want to send a copy of this letter to –
DO…
Have someone review the letter before you send it to catch any errors and provide feedback. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but fresh eyes will catch typos. If you don’t have anyone to preview it, go ahead and send.
DON’T…
Provide details of the prisoner’s case. Let them do that in their petition. I had someone write, “Amy was completely innocent…” and I’m sure they think they were helping me. I was NOT completely innocent and I admitted to my role in the conspiracy. According to the conspiracy statute, if someone furthers the conspiracy one step, we are guilty for the entire scope of the conspiracy – it’s not fair, but that’s the law and until we change it, we are guilty. So, please don’t provide details of a prisoner’s case that you may or may not be clear about, as it may contradict what is in their petition. You can refer to it as a case of injustice, but just be careful about trying to make the case FOR the petitioner. That’s why you should personalize this letter as one coming from YOU, and why YOU would like to see justice served by encouraging the Pardon Attorney to submit a favorable recommendation to the President to grant the prisoner’s clemency petition.
DO…
End the letter by adding your collective voice as someone who will personally benefit if John/Jane is released and if they will have a positive impact on your life – explain how. If you don’t know John then get creative with how society will benefit. If you are someone who will provide aide to John post-release, state that you would hire John if he needs employment, and/or if you are part of a large support group that will assist Jane in her re-entry process with whatever tools s/he may need to succeed, such as a job, financial aide, computer, etc.
Again, each case is different, some people have large families that will fill that gap – others don’t – so use your judgement and work with others you know are writing letters. Cover all the bases to ease any concern as to how this person will survive, if released. We want to establish the prisoner will have every tool they need to succeed, and be a productive citizen/asset to society if afforded this rare opportunity.
DON’T…
Get on a soapbox about the drug war or a particular type of drug that you believe should not be illegal. If this is a marijuana case, it is ok to point out that marijuana has been legalized several states and public opinion has changed drastically – but be careful. This is not the time to bout public policy or your personal opinion. Just be logical, fair, and respectful.
No comments:
Post a Comment