Byron Case – The Campaign To Restor An Innocent Man’s Life
On today’s show Host Melvin Merritt examines the case of Byron Case whose conviction rests solely on the testimony of a jilted girlfriend. There is no evidence that ties Byron to this case that the police felt was a murder/suicide for nine months until Byron’s former girlfriend provided the testimony to allow them to close an open case.
Melvin is negotiating with the warden to allow us to talk to Byron about his book The Pariah’s Syntax: Notes from an Innocent Man the new collection of Byron’s essays and poems, even though he is presently in segregation. In studio will be Byron’s mother Evelyn Case. **100% of royalties from its sale benefit the campaign to free Byron Case.
You can find out more about Byron’s case and efforts to prove his innocence at his website http://freebyroncase.com where you can get his book. Byron’s case and trial are also detailed in a book titled The Skeptical Juror and the Trial of Byron Case by J Bennett Allen which allows you to experience the four-day murder trial and deliberate the case evidence on your own! The book is available on Amazon.
Fully Informed Jury Association
In the second half of our show we replay an interview Allie Catherine Bush did with Kirsten Tynan of the Fully Informed Jury Association in Helena, Montana. FIJA produces literature and informs folks about their responsibilities as a juror. They explain how judges and prosecutors direct juries to the verdict they want by incomplete or incorrect jury instructions and by improper or leading questions of potential jurors during the jury selection process. The FIJA can give you information on how to resist both Judges. Prosecutors and other jurors that would have you ignore your conscience and convict fellow citizens of immoral or unjust laws.
To find out more about your right or get literature from the Fully Informed Jury Association chek out http://fija.org/ or call 1-406-442-7800.
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Calendar of Events
The Criminal Justice Task Force will meet tonight April 7th from 6:45 to 8:45 pm at the Church of the Good Shepard, 4947 Chouteau Drive, KCMO. They will be finalizing plans for their Lobby Day in conjunction with the Missouri Association For Social Welfare. They will meet at the Capitol in Jefferson City, Hearing Room #2 @ 10:30 am on Wed. April 9Th. For information on Car pooling contact Robin Johnson at 816-522-4081 or 816-468-7894 or email: [email protected] They will be lobbying Senators and Representatives on legislation for sentencing reform, food stamps for formerly incarcerated citizens and more.
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If you are considering a run for political office you might want to attend Campaign 101, Boot Camp for Those Who Want to Run for Public Office – learn what the insiders know from two veteran political leaders. The Hon. Betty Knight, Former Platte County Presiding Commissioner and the Hon. Carol Marinovich, Former Mayor/CEO of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, KS. They will lead a four-week nonpartisan boot camp that is women-centric, but open to all, Wednesdays, starting April 23rd and ending May 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The sessions will be held at the UMKC Administrative Center, 2nd floor, 5115 Oak St, KCMO. For Information and cost contact Julie Warm, Ph.D. At 816-235-5371 or by email [email protected]