[Ppnews] Angola 3 - Herman Wallace Supporters Seek Ruling

[Political Prisoner News]

HERMAN WALLACE SUPPORTERS SEEK RULING

On September 19, 2006, Court Commissioner Rachel Morgan declared that 
Herman Wallace did not get a fair trial and recommended that his 
conviction be overturned.  Commissioner Morgan's ruling confirms our 
belief that Herman Wallace and Albert Woodfox were wrongly convicted 
of the 1972 murder of prison guard Brent Miller.  It was revealed at 
an evidentiary hearing that prison officials withheld information 
from the jury that they had paid off the chief witness in the 
case.  Hezekiah Brown was paid a carton of cigarettes a week, used as 
prison currency, and eventually rewarded with a pardon and release 
from prison.  Herman Wallace has spent over 35 years in solitary confinement.

Herman Wallace's lawyers argued that the warden had essentially 
bribed the witness and kept that information from the jury.  This 
violated his right to a fair trial.  Furthermore, there was no 
physical evidence connecting him to the murder.  Commissioner Morgan 
ruled that it is reasonable to assume that a jury would not have 
convicted Mr. Wallace knowing that the main prosecution witness was paid off.

Despite the moral fortitude exercised by Commissioner Morgan, it has 
been over a year since the hearing.  Mr. Wallace remains in limbo, 
waiting for Judge Michael Irwin to adopt this recommendation.
We, the friends, family and supporters of Herman Wallace, ask Judge 
Irwin to exercise the same moral fortitude and reverse this wrongful 
conviction.

More than enough time has elapsed for Judge Irwin to review the case 
and to make his ruling.  Is this another example of Louisiana 
injustice or will Judge Irwin adopt his commissioner's recommendation 
and correct this gross miscarriage of justice?

As concerned citizens, we want it to be known that we will not go 
away until there is a resolution on this matter.  Herman often says, 
"The louder my voice, the deeper they bury me."  We say, " the deeper 
they bury Herman Wallace, the louder our voices will become."

Press Conference to be held at the Baton Rouge Court House steps

Time:   October 9th, Tuesday at 2:00 PM
Place:  19th Judicial District Court
        222 St. Louis St.
        Baton Rouge, LA
Who:    Geronimo jiJaga, Robert King - two exonerated long-term 
political prisoners
        Ron Chisolm, Co-Founder of the People's Institute for 
Survival and Beyond
        and supporters of the Coalition to Free the Angola Three

For more information contact: Robert King, (504) 261-3454 or (707)486-6806
www.angola3.org







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