The Innocent Man: Discussion 2: Chapters 7-10

[aero63]

Well, I was hoping the evidence collecting and treatment of Ron Williamson would get better, but it seems to have gone from bad to worse. His lawyer seems not to care about him whatsoever and is not fighting very hard for his client. Also, I can't believe in all the incarceration time for Williamson, his liver and blood levels were not checked. Blood tests are done as a monitoring system for lithium and that just hasn't been done.

Also, the witnesses all have a cloudy and not so honest past. No one even questions this. How utterly negligent on behalf of his lawyer.

Then there is the old Mr. Glen Gore who is also a witness, this case is just so so awful.

The Judge is also guilty of being less than ethical. He was fully aware of Ron Williamson's mental state. It is also obvious that Williamson's lucid states had become so few and far between that the judge should never had allowed him to answer the question about attendance in the courtroom. His lawyer should have fought this.

I am also surprised that Williamson's sisters have not fought all that hard for him up to this point.

What is everyone else's take on the witnesses? Or the treatment in the jail and courtroom with Ron Williamson?

Guess I will leave it here and comment more later.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

I couldn't agree with you more on all accounts Aero. Perhaps with his sisters it's "out of sight" "out of mind." Mind you, it doesn't sound like they have much themselves.

As for his attorney; blind as a bat in more ways than one!

Now; I have a confession to make..... I didn't read the book jacket or anything when I started it. Grisham always writes fiction. I got to the pictures (photos) before I even realized it was a True Story! I can't believe I wasn't aware. A definite blonde moment or two there I'll tella ya.

[mary57]

As you said, it's gone from bad to worse.

It's totally mind boggleing that the entire justice system failed these people, not just Ron, but
Dennis, Tommy, Karl and Greg. I got so angry/upset with the way 'manufactured' evidence
was allowed to pass unchallenged. The judge was negligent in not declareing Ron unfit to
stand trial, his lawyer - well can you just say retire allready, even for pro bono work he was incompetent, the prosecuter and police deserve to be charged and put into jail themselves, not only for createing evidence to fit their needs but then to pay off 'witnesses' to back-up that fabrication. The jury, well they went with the 'facts' they were given so..... and Rons sisters, I belive they tried their hardest for Ron, but did not have the resources to do more.
I am glad that Ron made friends with Greg. in prison. It at least gave him someone to talk to and have each others 'back' in group areas.
I want to finish the story, but only because (of the pictures) I know he is released, othrewise I would toss this book. I'm that upset with the injustice and knowing it's real is terrible.

Aero, don't get me wrong, you chose a 'good' book to encourage thinking and discussion. Thank You.

[aero63]

Mary, I assumed he was released by the title. I am trying not to look at the pictures until I am finished reading. I know from other true crime it gives the whole book away, . I know what you mean, it makes you so angry you just want to throw the book across the room.

Jackie, I never read John Grisham before and knew he wrote mystery/thriller/adventure...but when I read this synopsis, I had to put it up for vote since we were looking for a serious read this time. I was itching to read a true crime, .

I think the judges are what upset me even more than the "dream team" investigators. Grrrrr. I am currently re reading some sections.

I do think the sisters, even though they are financially strapped, could give more voice to their brother's defense or push the lawyer for a better defense.

I am thinking of another true story of an innocent man...Eric Bloodsworth. He has a book out and I am going to see if I find it. Seems these injustices happen so often on a really big scale.

Does it seem to anyone else that Pontotoc County is extremely interested in making the design of their death row cells look neat. Pfffft, should have spent more on more competent county and public servants.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

I just can't believe that all the checks and balances that are supposedly built into the judicial system was totally, totally ignored. Talk about bulldozing stuff through! It reminds me of a case here in Nova Scotia many years ago when a young man (17) was sent to prison for life. People were up in arms (in support of him - unlike Ron's case) but no one was listening. If I remember correctly it was like 30 odd years later that it was proven he DIDN'T commit the crime and was released. His youth/life is now gone......

[aero63]

Sorry folks, I said Eric Bloodsworth, I meant Kirk Bloodsworth. I think, personally, that DNA testing needs to be done for all those incarcerated before it was really truly made effective and efficient in court cases. I remember a case here that a few years ago a man was released on new DNA evidence. He was placed in jail for rape. He too lost all his youth and the world had changed so much he was adjusting to that.

I am surprised, now that you mention it, that more people hadn't rallied around Ron. I mean, he was a type of athletic hero for a while and his parents were decent people.

[mary57]

I have to think that many didn't rally around Ron because when he 'came' home after his semi pro days he was mostly out of control with his mental health issues. It was so upseting how there was no real focused treatment for him. He really needed his family early on to keep him in the health system and on track.
Yes, having DNA testing available now should prevent unjust incarcerations, but again so much depends on how good your lawyer is and how much you can afford to pay for your defence.
There is also the age old predejust of being 'tainted' if you have any kind of 'history' with the law, mental health issues, living in the 'wrong' part of town, or in anyway deviate from the expected socital 'norms'.
As you said it is a good story for thinking and disscusing.

[deltagirl]

Can you believe they gave "Death Row Tours"? And the ill-treatment (sometimes sadistic even) of the inmates by the guards is pretty shameful. There should be a level of decency adhered to even if you are dealing with convicted (but not always guilty as we see here) killers.
How about that ruling by the judge on the unsubmitted confession tape? How can it possibly be okay to do that after the fact when the trial is completely over - yikes!
I would call this a comedy of errors except that it's not at all funny. Nevertheless it's still a compelling if frightening read.

[aero63]

Sadly enough, violation of due process seems to be the norm in this trial. Yep, they put alot of design effort into those cells, can't let that go unseen.....pfffttt. Just disgraceful.

I am thinking we can finish up with this book and start the last discussion on it on Monday, March 8th. By doing this, anyone with a book from the library, can get it back and just take some notes on some stuff you want to comment on. How does this sound to everyone?

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Sounds fine Aero.

[mary57]

OK with me,

[aero63]

okie dokie then.....