Judge Thomas Marcelain considers Harry Blausey's request for early release from prison, Duke Frost Objects... Get A Clue!, Robert Paisola Reports

Judge Thomas Marcelain considers Harry Blausey's request for early release from prison, Prosecutors Duke and Ken Oswalt  Object... Get A Clue!, Robert Paisola Reports

- WARNING TO OHIO ATTORNEY MARK  A.  SERROTT- YOU STOLE MONEY FROM BLAUSEY- WE ARE GOING TO GO AFTER YOU- RETURN THE $10,000 to THIS MANS FAMILY NOW-  WE HAVE THE RECORDINGS WITH YOUR OWN VOICE. SEE YOU ON CNN...

NEWARK OHIO -- A Newark man convicted of running a mortgage-fraud scheme wants a judge to release him from prison after serving less than half of his four-and-a-half-year sentence.

Harry Blausey, 69, claimed he would negotiate with victims' mortgage companies to avoid defaulting on their home debts. He then rented out the properties -- sometimes to the homeowner -- but did not successfully arrange short sales. He was convicted of 26 felony counts after a weeklong trial.

Licking County Common Pleas Court Judge Thomas Marcelain denied a request Blausey made shortly after his conviction to be placed in a state program that would have allowed him early release. Marcelain denied another request for judicial release in February.

In his most recent request, Blausey's attorney, Daniel Arnold, wrote that prison had a profound impact on his client and impressed on him the need to fully comply with the law, according to the motion filed Dec. 3. All but one of the civil lawsuits filed against Blausey have been settled.

Licking County Assistant Prosecutor asked Marcelain to deny Blausey's request, writing that releasing him would demean the seriousness of the crimes and would not adequately punish him, according to court records.

Robert Paisola Responds:

Judge Thomas Marcelain,

We know that you will do the right thing.  You are a great man and this data is essential, as we know that Duke Frost nor Ken Oswalt will take time to get this to you!

It is required that "The Court shall impose a sentence that is sufficient, but not greater than necessary to comply with the purposes set forth in paragraph two." Paragraph two provides these factors "A, to reflect the seriousness of the offense, to promote respect for the law, and to provide just punishment for the offense; B: To afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct C: To protect the public from further crimes of the Defendant; an D; to provide the defendant with the needed educational training , medical care or other correctional treatment in the most effective manner"

Put another way, it has been mandated that a sentencing court must impose a sentence that is sufficient but no greater than necessary to comply with the sentencing guidelines in this case. This statute clearly recognized a defendants liberty because it is a clear violation of the statute to impose a sentence that is harsher than necessary than to comply with the law. It also recognizes the importance of public safety by requiring that the sentence be sufficient to accomplish the purposes of punishment, deterrence and protection of the public.

As you are aware Blausey is no longer going to practice real estate, Blausey is no longer going to reside in Licking County Ohio, Blausey has been severely beaten in prison,  Blausey has proven that he has learned his lesson, even though there are hundreds of hours of tapes that outline correctional staff "Targeting"  This has not been fully published, as this is the subject of a Federal Case.  Blausey has paid back the victims and we have the final victim on tape stating that "Blausey did nothing wrong" "but I want money"  Blausey is now a victim of a serious sentence disparity that only you can rectify. Please do the right thing.  Branstool set the guideline, now it is time for Blausey to be given the chance to start anew.

The Supreme Court has also clearly stated that there must no be a disparity in the sentencing process, or the sentencing review process as we are faced with in the Blausey case.

The Finding of Judge Branstool that Defendant Joe McClain had completed a "sentence that is sufficient but no greater than necessary to comply with the sentencing guidelines in this case. This statute recognized a defendants right to liberty because it is a clear violation of the statute to impose a sentence necessary than to comply with the law. The McClain ruling sets the bar for the BLAUSEY Case, as Blausey Has not only made restitution to said victims, but has spent more time in a custodial setting than McCLAIN, causing a very clear sentencing disparity.  Have you EVER heard Duke Frost or Licking County Ohio Prosecutor Ken Oswalt recommend release?

Sir, I know this man. I know this family, and I know that you are just.

We would ask this honorable Court to Free Harry Blausey and to look at the nexus between the McClain Case and The Blausey Case. We would ask that this Honorable Court Do the right thing and give Blausey his life back, as the sentence as it stands now is nothing but a sentence to die.

Respectfully

Robert Paisola
CEO
The Robert Paisola Innocence Project

- WARNING TO OHIO ATTORNEY MARK  A.  SERROTT- YOU STOLE MONEY FROM BLAUSEY- WE ARE GOING TO GO AFTER YOU- RETURN THE $10,000 to THIS MANS FAMILY NOW-  WE HAVE THE RECORDINGS WITH YOUR OWN VOICE. SEE YOU ON CNN...

Gary Mohr named Ohio prisons chief

Thank You Mr. Mohr for looking into this fraud!

CHILLICOTHE -- A Chillicothe man with decades of experience in the public and private sector has been named director of Ohio's prisons.

Gov.-elect John Kasich announced Gary C. Mohr will head the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Mohr has an extensive career -- 36 years -- in corrections, most recently in a management role for a Tennessee company that was the first to provide privatization options for detention and corrections services.

Mohr will take over for current director Ernie Moore, of Sabina, who was appointed to the position by Gov. Ted Strickland in January 2010. Although from Sabina, Moore had once worked at Chillicothe Correctional Institution and took over for retiring director Terry Collins, of Chillicothe, who had been director since 2006.

Mohr's career in corrections began as a teacher at Marion Correctional Institution in 1974. He then was a liaison officer, classification supervisor and director of staff development and training and assistant chief of personnel until becoming the assistant warden at Chillicothe Correctional Institution in 1984 and later the warden from 1997 to 2000. In between his stints at CCI, Mohr was warden at Ross Correctional Institution from 1986 to 1991, deputy director of the ODRC from 1991 to 1992 and deputy director and superintendent for the Ohio Department of Youth Services from 2002 to 2005.

Mohr also has experience working with the governor's office from the early 1990s when he was director of the governor's Office of Criminal Justice. While director, Mohr chaired the task force on gun violence, chaired the investigation into the Lucasville riot, and initiated funding for several day reporting centers as alternative sentencing options.

In recent years, Mohr was the managing director at Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and a CEO of his own consulting business, Mohr Correctional Insight. CCA was founded in 1983 and was the first private sector provider of detention and corrections services to federal, state and local governments, according to its Web site.

Former ODRC director Richard Seiter, who served under Gov. Dick Celeste from 1983 to 1988, is CCA's current executive vice president and chief corrections officer, and one CCA board member, Donna Alvarado, currently sits on the Ohio Board of Regents and is vice chair of the governor's Workforce Policy Board.

Judge Tom Marcelain of Newark Ohio to consider Blausey's request for early release from prison

-Stay tuned for our official brief on this matter.- "The injustice that Harry Blausey has suffered as a result of the Ohio Department of Corrections is nothing but Criminal, and This project looks to the day that a Federal Court Can and Will look at the serious irreversible damage that this sentence has done to this man and his family.-

-From The Innocence Project (Robert Paisola Reports)
It is required that "The Court shall impose a sentence that is sufficient, but not greater than necessary to comply with the purposes set forth in paragraph two." Paragraph two provides these factors "A, to reflect the seriousness of the offense, to promote respect for the law, and to provide just punishment for the offense; B: To afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct C: To protect the public from further crimes of the Defendant; an D; to provide the defendant with the needed educational training , medical care or other correctional treatment in the most effective manner"

Put another way, it has been mandated that a sentencing court must impose a sentence that is sufficient but no greater than necessary to comply with the sentencing guidelines in this case. This statute recognized a defendants liberty because it is a clear violation of the statute to impose a sentence necessary than to comply with the law. It also recognizes the importance of public safety by requiring that the sentence be sufficient to accomplish the purposes of punishment, deterrence and protection of the public.

The Supreme Court has also clearly stated that there must no be a disparity in the sentencing process, or the sentencing review process as we are faced with in the Blausey case.

The Finding of Judge Branstool that Defendant Joe McClain had completed a "sentence that is sufficient but no greater than necessary to comply with the sentencing guidelines in this case. This statute recognized a defendants liberty because it is a clear violation of the statute to impose a sentence necessary than to comply with the law. sets the bar for the BLAUSEY Case, as Blausey Has not only made restitution to said victims, but has spent more time in a custodial setting than MCCLAIN, causing a very clear sentencing disparity.

We would ask this honorable Court to Free Harry Blausey and to look at the nexus between the MCClain Case and The Blausey Case. We would ask that this Honorable Court Do the right thing and give Blausey his life back, as the sentence as it stands now is nothing but a sentence to die.

Respectfully

Robert Paisola
CEO
The Robert Paisola Innocence Project

-FROM THE NEWARK ADVOCATE
'Whatever happened to equal treatment under the law? Although I feel that Mr. Blausey should serve his entire sentence, if I was him I would be asking for early release myself. Recently Democrat Judge David Branstool released Joe McClain after only one year of a 5 year sentence. Joe did the same thing that Mr. Blausey did. Joe bilked about 40 people out of $475,000.00 and was found guilty of 25 counts of grand theft. He originally was facing 40 years in prison.

Judge Branstool cited Joe's good behavior and said he learned his lesson during his time in jail as reason to cut his sentence so short. Or maybe it was the college classes that Joe attended at the taxpayers expense. The entire Church of God community was instrumental in his light sentence and early release. It's too bad that Harry wasn't a church member there. I guess it PAYS to be a Christian at the Church of God. Or maybe it PAYS to be a local judge presiding over a case involving a Church of God member. So, Mr. Branstool, what does a judge in Licking Co. cost?

I'm all in favor of forgiveness. but I'm in favor of equitable treatment under the law. I work with a lady whose young son stole and forged a check. He's a good kid that learned his lesson. He served his entire sentence. It's no wonder minorities complain of injustices in the penal system. Here you can steal half a million dollars & destroy peoples lives but if you're a clean-cut white boy and a member of the right church and can find the judges price you can walk away spotless and free. That makes the McClains Christ like, blemish free just like the sacrificial lamb. The only difference is... the lamb died.

Unless the Church of God are hypocrites and the judges are on the take then both groups should come to his defense and release Mr. Blausey early. Anything less would be the equivalent of using the Bible & the United States Constitution as toilet paper to wipe the filth from ones own backside.'

NEWARK — A Newark man convicted of running a mortgage-fraud scheme wants a judge to release him from prison after serving less than half of his four-and-a-half-year sentence.

Harry Blausey, 69, claimed he would negotiate with victims’ mortgage companies to avoid defaulting on their home debts. He then rented out the properties — sometimes to the homeowner — but did not successfully arrange short sales. He was convicted of 26 felony counts after a weeklong trial.

Licking County Common Pleas Court Judge Thomas Marcelain denied a request Blausey made shortly after his conviction to be placed in a state program that would have allowed him early release. Marcelain denied another request for judicial release in February.

In his most recent request, Blausey’s attorney Daniel Arnold wrote that prison had a profound impact on his client and impressed upon him the need to fully comply with the law, according to the motion filed Dec. 3. All but one of the civil lawsuits filed against Blausey have been settled.

Marcelain to deny Blausey’s request, writing that releasing him would demean the seriousness of the crimes and would not adequately punish him, according to court records.

The Harry Blausey Newark Ohio Federal Lawsuit Case Update, Robert Paisola Reports

Let us be clear on the Harry Blausey Wrongful Imprisonment case based out of Newark, Ohio. Licking County Newark Ohio Prosecutor, Ken Oswalt Newark Ohio Prosecutor Pictured
We have been working with members of the Ohio Legislature, Members of the United States Congress and the United States Senate. We have hundreds of hours of conversations documented with ELECTED OFFICIALS and ACTUAL PEOPLE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THIS INVESTIGATION.... See More

Blausey is preparing to file a Civil Rights Case in The Federal District Court in Ohio. His support is worldwide and The Governor of Ohio, Ted Strickland, is acutely aware of his plight.

The testimony from the WORKERS at the HOCKING COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY as well as Warden Michael Sheets of the Chillicothe, Ohio ROSS CORRECTIONAL FACILITY and his own staff will cause the State of Ohio to be forced to pursue not only CIVIL, but CRIMINAL CHARGES against named workers in the Ohio Department of Corrections.

We are working diligently to ensure that Blausey's Abuse is broadcast worldwide. We have audio, video and a confidential investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Blausey's Treatment during his incarceration.

America can rest assured that all of the facts regarding the beating, abuse, and wanton neglect for this inmate will not only surprise the average citizen, but will be heard around the world.

Harry Blausey is a victim of malicious prosecution by Licking County Ohio Prosecutor Ken Oswalt. Blausey was assaulted by officers ON CAMERA. Blausey can not hear, because his hearing aid was taken from him. The State of Ohio refuses to voluntarily provide him a hearing aid to assist him in comprehending the most basic instructions from correctional officers.

We applaud former Hocking County Correctional Facility Warden, Ed Banks. You will hear from him at trial.

To the members of the Ohio Media. You had better look into this and any type of slander or libel against this man will not go unnoticed.

Governor Strickland, Demand that your people in the Department of Corrections stand accountable and provide Harry Blausey with the healthcare he so badly needs. Make an official order that Harry Blausey be transported and fitted for a Hearing Aid, while you still have State jurisdiction on this matter.

One final note, Attorney Mark Serrott in Ohio... YOU STOLE YOUR CLIENTS MONEY. We are going to have you disbarred forever.

To Lieutenant Johnson (more info to be provided via FOIA) and Lieutenant Smith ( A Female Officer, more info to be provided via FOIA) we have interviewed your colleagues and the results will ensure that you will have your own cell, as an inmate.

This is over America, We are sick of this wanton disregard for an Ohio Prison Systems Inmate, and the day of reckoning is coming soon.

Copyright 2010 Robert Paisola for Western Capital Multimedia, All Rights Reserved

http://innocenceprojectusa.blogspot.com/2009/02/blausey-physically-assaulted-at-hocking.html

http://www.zimbio.com/United+States+Prison+Reform/articles/4eMtJ_Y3CkJ/Get+Tough+Crime+Harry+Blausey+Newark+Ohio

http://www.zimbio.com/Prison+life/articles/eqAWQO9lLZM/HARRY+BLAUSEY+CASE+NEWARK+OHIO+GOING+CONGRESS

http://innocenceprojectusa.blogspot.com/2009/02/harry-blausey-case-newark-ohio-licking.html

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and http://www.HarryBlausey.com and http//www.Facebook.com/RobertPaisola

THE HARRY BLAUSEY CASE OF NEWARK, OHIO- GOING TO CONGRESS, ROBERT PAISOLA REPORTS

"Get Tough on Crime' The Harry Blausey, Newark, Ohio Case- Justice Diverted" Announced
Copyright 2009 for CNN I Report and Western Capital Multimedia All Rights Reserved

July 17, 2009 ·

In late February, I went to Ohio, where I met with the family of Harry W. Blausey, the Ohio Realtor, who now sits in Prison for " securing writings by deception" regarding multiple real estate deals. Blausey has been in prison for almost a year, and I wanted to speak with him. I came away convinced that he represents one of the most compelling cases of innocence in decades.

This week, the Supreme Court agreed to decide whether to hear the request for a writ of habeas corpus in a similar case. This Supreme Court Case Review, is hopefully signaling a more careful review of the Court motions and with the carefully selected appointment of Justice Sotomayor by the Obama Administration, shows new determination to hold those accountable on a criminal level to those Rogue Prosecutors and District Attorneys who uphold the law. They now will be held to the same standards that are used against Defendants, and the investigators, detectives, attorneys and officials in Newark, Ohio whom were involved in this case may now be liable for CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE, and could, perhaps, be sent to prison for their actions.

The reality, though, is that the last time the Justices granted a writ of habeas corpus was 1925 and should the Supreme Court decline the request, Blausey will still maintain many legal options, however a Supreme Court Review would almost certainly guarantee Blausey a new Trial based on ineffective assistance of counsel by his attorney Mark Allan Serot and abuse of prosecutorial discretion by Licking County Ohio Prosecutors Ken Oswalt, Licking County Ohio Assistant Prosecutor Duke Frost and the Police Investigators involved in this case could now personally face indictment. It is even more imperative that the Licking County Court Judge act now to do the right thing, and move to reopen the case and take a look at the evidence that has been obtained by Blausey.

The case must be reopened for several reasons: Blausey's conviction was based on the word of purported "victims" who stated in open court that they were victims of Blausey's apparent scheme to defraud.

However, since the jury read the verdict, seven of the nine witnesses / victims have recanted or contradicted their original testimony. Several said they were coerced by the police. No physical evidence was ever produced that proved that Blausey met the legal standard of criminality by INTENDING TO DEFRAUD.

Our Recorded Conversation with Licking County Prosecutor Ken Oswalt (pictured above) revealed "We did not try Blausey on what he did, but what he did not do" That conversation will be available for media use shortly.

The investigation memorandum that was prepared by detectives to convict Blausey was less than three inches thick, and each document provided was analyzed by a forensic expert trained in Police Investigative Technique and Conduct. The overwhelming opinion was that the "victims" had been "spoon fed the information" by the investigators, when looking at how the questions were poised by detectives, including a widely circulated questionnaire that was distributed by police to "anybody we choose to give it to" clearly indicating guilt to the respondent.

An officer involved in this case provided Western Capital Multimedia a copy of a DVD containing a private conversation between Harry Blausey and one of the lead Detectives" This DVD was provided under the condition of anonymity, as the officer feared for his job and safety. "I just know that this is not right" he said. That conversation will be posted at www.HarryBlausey.com as soon as it is returned from federal investigator.

Second, there is abundant evidence supporting Blausey's likely innocence but it has not been aired in court. Our legal system does not allow defendants the opportunity to present new evidence of their innocence after conviction. This intransigence on legal procedural matters is unconscionable when a life is on the line of a man who could easily die in prison because of his age and abuse he has been under since entering the State of Ohio Prison System. Blausey is currently an inmate at the Hocking County Ohio Correctional Facility in Nelsonville, Ohio.

The new evidence of his innocence means Blausey deserves another day in court, not prison: The prospect that an innocent man being abused in prison or even dying in prison due to faulty witness testimony represents a tragedy of epic proportions. A wrongful death in prison cannot be rectified.

More than thirty years' worth of social science and criminal justice research shows that eyewitness testimonies are notoriously unreliable, according to The Innocence Project. Since 1973, a total of 133 men and women have been exonerated or had their sentences commuted based on post-conviction findings that demonstrated their likely innocence

Adding to the sense of urgency around the Blausey case, too, is the long, sour history of wrongly-accused white wealthy men receiving "rough justice" in Corporate America.

Blausey was convicted in Ohio, Renounced Financier, Bernie Madoff was convicted in New York.

Both were given equal sentences, considering the serious medical problems that Blausey faces on a daily basis. "We want the world to know what happened to our dad" said Diane Ringheiser, the Daughter of the accused. "We are confident that when we have a chance to show Judge Thomas Marcelain of Newark, Ohio all of the new evidence, he will immediately release our dad" she said.

She continued "Our attorney Mark Serrot from Columbus Ohio stole $10,000 of my moms money that she did not even have" "He said he needed the money to hire an investigator.... but he just kept the money"

Only when confronted during a recorded call by Western Capital's CEO and President, Robert Paisola, did Ohio Attorney Mark Allan Serrot, confirm that there was no investigator hired and that "we did the best we could do" but we will return her (sic) money"

As of the writing of this article for CNN, no money has been returned by Attorney Mark Allan Serrot to The Blausey Family.

In February 2009, The department of corrections in Ohio had previously blocked media from visiting Blausey. But when I spoke to him in Ohio, I was overwhelmed by his confidence, and by the high regard with which he is held by inmates and personnel alike. however we did learn of some disturbing events that took place against him by other inmates and guards that we previously reported at www.HarryBlausey.com

It is evident that Blausey's jailers—prison guards and the Warden of the facility, Ed Banks, whose faces are usually stony or a blank slate of indifference—are moved by his plight.

While interviewing prison staff for a 3 part International Media Series being completed for broadcast entitled ""Get Tough on Crime' The Harry Blausey, Newark, Ohio Case- Justice Diverted" , I saw guards who clearly had come to believe as I do—that Harry Blausey is being singled out by the justice system in Licking County and because of his "gruff demeanor" he is being "shown who is in charge, said one officer.

Outside, as I crossed the parking-lot in Nelsonville, Ohio, I chatted with a woman who said she knew of a former guard who quit his duty at that facility, rather than have to take part in the Harry Blausey Mess. She spoke of Correctional Officers who were pulling money together to bet who would be the first officer to return to THE HOLE, where he has spent much time. I share that man's sense of outrage.

I've also met with Blausey's wife Beverly, and her sons David and Steve Blausey, who is an ophthalmologist in Ohio. And as I spoke to each member of the family, I began to get a clear picture of exactly what had happened in the small bedroom community in the Central Ohio City of Newark. Blausey had been singled out and attacked by investigators, prosecutors and even fake victims who wanted to ride along. And yes, we have all the proof, thanks to one person in the Police Investigations Division that decided that his obligation to humanity was much stronger than his obligation to his "buddies on the force"

Yet it is not only the many details of Blausey's humanity that has led to a groundswell of grassroots support for a campaign to reopen the case: It is the undeniable fact that, as a nation of laws, we have an obligation to reconsider these types of convictions when new evidence of innocence is revealed. That is why we started the Robert Paisola Innocence Project in the first place" said Robert Paisola, the President and CEO of The Western Capital Foundation and the CEO of The Prison Partners Foundation.

This is why a "strange bedfellows" group of individuals have been drawn together to fight for the reopening of his case, including former FBI Director William Sessions, Pope Benedict XVI; Robert Paisola of The Innocence Project , and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Sessions, in fact, has been quite fired up about the need for reforms in a court and criminal justice system that refuses to re-examine a case despite new evidence that may prove a defendant's innocence.

"Only a full hearing, with all witnesses subject to rigorous cross-examination, absolute competent counsel and a full exploration of the circumstances of their testimony, will provide a means to determine the reliability of the conviction," Sessions wrote. It must happen now."

The idea that any American might be sentenced without being allowed a full airing of all the evidence is an outrage, and represents a blatant flouting of our nation's founding principles. The Innocence Project has joined with many noted authorities and benefactors to immediately free Harry Blausey.

Amnesty International, and a coalition of other human and civil rights groups have stood to the occasion to raise awareness of not only just the Harry Blausey case, but of the urgent need to push for reforms to the criminal justice system.

At www.HarryBlausey.com, information is available showing why innocence matters, and how all Americans can become a part of the movement to find solutions.

We believe that Harry Blausey is innocent—and that the families who were in previous financial turmoil were served well by Blausey. Many of the families that claim to be "Victims" are still living in the very homes, that prior to Blausey's involvement were guaranteed to be sitting on the streets. "Now that I think of it, I am not sure what he did wrong" she said " The police said he did something wrong so we went along with it. He did save our house for us!"

These two things are not mutually exclusive, and our Constitution should be strong enough to ensure that both parts of that equation are realized.

Reporting Live from Columbus, Ohio, this is Robert Paisola for CNN I Report and Western Capital Multimedia Inc.

Sign the Free Harry Blausey Real Estate Petition for the Governor of The State of Ohio

Please fill out the official form to show your support for Ohio Real Estate Investor Harry Blausey

The Talk On The Street: The Blausey Case- Keep Sending in your Comments on the Harry Blausey Newark, Ohio Real Estate Case

Who in the world would have ever thought that there would be this kind of support for a 67 year old Real Estate Investor from Newark, Ohio named Harry Blausey?

Our offices around the country have been flooded with calls, letters of support and comments. Many of you have volunteered your time to assist in this matter and many Attorneys have contacted our offices to help out. Some of the biggest names in the Real Estate Industry have offered to testify as to the validity of how the deals were done. The consensus is that theses are all CIVIL MATTERS and many attorneys have stated again and again that Harry Blausey "will make millions" in a Federal Lawsuit, should he decide to go down that route.

We want to be fair to all of the respondents, but the the sheer volume of calls and mail can not be addressed quickly enough.

If you are a member of the media, and you have called to do an interview, please do not give up, we will assist you. Simply send me an email to robert@robertpaisola.com and Include the words BLAUSEY MEDIA REQUEST in the subject line.

Because of the National and International scope of this case, we only have time to provide National and International Interviews. Please pull the audio and video feeds from your National Network Feeds. All of the interviews that we do are syndicated.

To the reporters in OHIO, we will work with you. Please just continue to send your requests in writing.

We are receiving thousands of emails from around the world on the Harry Blausey Case.

Everyone is welcome to participate in this discussion.

Last Night we reported that Blausey was assaulted at the Hocking County Correctional Facility in Nelsonville, Ohio. The phones have not stopped ringing. If you truly want to be heard on this matter, contact Warden Ed Banks at (740) 753-1917 Immediately.

We would ask that you DO NOT CALL THE LICKING COUNTY OHIO COURT OR THE COURT JUDGE. WE HAVE DEVELOPED A WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR OFFICES AND THEY HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY COOPERATIVE. I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THAT THE TRIAL JUDGE IS A VERY FAIR MAN. PLEASE HONOR THIS REQUEST.

Please be sure that you put the words HARRY BLAUSEY in the subject line. Our editors will be posting some of the replies that we receive. This is obviously quickly becoming a worldwide event my friends with BILLIONS OF DOLLARS of Real Estate Investor's Money at Stake.

Please send all comments to investigations@mycollector.com

Robert Paisola
CEO
The Robert Paisola Foundation
The Innocence Project
www.RobertPaisola.com
www.MyCollector.com

Here we go....
_______________________________________________________________

"Ohio seems to be the most ignorant when it comes to money.

First, we are top 10 in the sub-prime mess, second, they kill any opportunity to try to get the real estate market back on track.

I bet there is gonna be laws created against Sub-2's.

At the very least, this makes everyone doing sub-2's, suspicious.

What do you think about this mess?"



http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live...O.html?sid=101

http://www.centralohio.com/apps/pbcs...805040303/1002


http://www.centralohio.com/apps/pbcs...plate=printart

http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/rod/ne...-ohio-5536.pdf

http://www.doddforohio.com/index.php...ews&news_id=61

http://homeequitytheft-cases-article...harges-in.html
______________________________________________________________________

"Is it possible he got in over his head? Miscalculated the deal and decided to make what he could and let it get foreclosed (unethical, but not illegal).

People agree in writing to pay credit cards and loans and don't do it. You want their intent to be judged and charge them with fraud?"

________________________________________________________________________________

"NOT the same comparison. Selling drugs is illegal, REI is NOT.

This guy had auction properties he was buying. He had $50,000 of his own money lost because he can't deal in a LEGAL operation of real estate investing. Who is gonna recover the potential loss income if he is proven innocent?

Drug activity=illegal Buying auction properties and other REI=legal"
_________________________________________________________________________
"You are absolutely right, he is a complete victim of a justice system gone awry"
__________________________________________________________________________________
"Weak debate tactic #234 : Stretch the truth of what your opponent says to make him look obviously wrong.

And to think we waste all that money on a justice system when we have people like you who can figure it all out without all those confusing facts to sift through. You are amazing.

PASS THE TYLENOL!"
_________________________________________________________________________________

"OH has has a problem with employment and the economy for a while. Some cities saw their population peak 20 or more years ago. The state is in long term decline compared to CA and FL. The rust belt is a label that fits.

There has been a lot of fraud and shady deals in OH and it did not start with the sub-prime crisis. Some people want the situation fixed or otherwise corrected. That can lead to bad ideas being put forward. In some cases banning some of the more creative techniques will hurt investors but it still might be better than having newbie investors acting illegally or incompetently.

Rarely do laws focus on specifics that can apply equally well in all situations.

OH leads in many ways. Foreclosures, mortgage fraud and other things. If the investors want intelligent changes then they need to get behind the REIA groups who are talking with the law makers. The Realtors will represent the views of the agents. There is an OH statewide REIA organization. Check with them to see what is being done.

John Corey

PS. Some investors are all for more reforms. They know that if you get rid of the cowboy investors it will reduce the number of dumb deals and the bad reputation produced from cowboy investors. Savvy investors will find other ways to do deals. Having less competition is not a bad thing. If you cannot buy sub-2 then buying REOs is an option. Lots of variations. Yes, I have OH investments."
________________________________________________________________________
Denver, that is the problem with this whole thing like someone said earlier, the one lone cowboy crap. It is not a big deal from a legality standpoint YET, but it could be soon.

The big deal here is that the preception is the main thing we are fighting. Just like "theoretically" a lot of fancy footwork will work, but the reality is that if the legislators get a hold of stories like this they WILL legislate away this type of move. The reality of legal or not goes away under the witch hunt type of a deal, especially during an election year.

We may all intend on doing up and up business, but make a mistake or two here and there and under some instances it is not a big deal, but if it happens at the wrong time or in the wrong situation, then it blows up on us. What is that saying about road to hell paved with something................. just keep your head down and keep buying and selling houses, period.
_____________________________________________________________________
We all do our deals in the public glare when we deal with people who are under stress from a foreclosure.

You point out that the investor is not taking risk with their credit or spending money getting a loan. That sounds fishy or worse to many people. An investor not really committing to the deal and getting financing.

You do not know what the investor said or what they implied. Most will run ads or make statements that leave the impression that the investor is taking care of the mortgage, paying the payments, etc.

Creative RE deals sometimes are in a gray area. In some states you cannot speak to an owner who is in default or you have to follow a specific procedure. 1-2 states have a cooling off period where a seller can back out of a deal. Sellers under foreclosure are not always stable or rational in their thinking. Many are in denial or worse. It goes with the territory and it can be an issue for the investor if the case makes it to court.

Some investors are sharks. Some state attorneys general have pursued investors successfully when the investor was a subject-2 investor.

Look at the discussions here concerning being a bird dog. Most bird dog discussions revolve around illegal activity (being paid a fee is the deal closes). Every wonder why the regulators think investors are a bit too shady?

We do not know the full story. The press write to sells papers even if the articles have a bias. Having a view or an angle is not always a bad thing. We are all told to not believe everything we read yet most do.

Welcome to the real world of RE investing.

When the signs say there are sharks in the water maybe there are.

John Corey
_____________________________________________________________________
I have done Sub To deals and made money.
I told the people I would make the payment and I did, till I sold it
Sub To deals have a lot of liablity, in todays market, I am not doing them.
O-H-I-O has its own set of rules, with a "boyscout" for an AG, who is trying to make a name for itself.
I spent 3 months in Columbus last year.
I was checking out some REO's there.
dug into the propertys history. The scope of the fraud in these deals would have made the rings in Miami proud.
SUb to's are not illegal in and of itself
a DUE on SALE clause is a civil matter
The AG in OHIO is willing to use the civil court system when he can not file charges
that is one of the primary reasons I choose to go back to FL
Sunshine had lots to do with it too!
_________________________________________________________________________
YES! That is exactly what I said before all this about the AG of Ohio AND the licking county prosecutor (seems like Danns brother by way of his actions) . And he has succeeded making a name for himself (LOL) - http://dispatch.com/live/content/loc...F.html?sid=101
__________________________________________________________________________
Looks like a little trouble for the old AG
http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live...litics&sid=101

The FBI has been asked to investigate Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann, reportedly by a task force that is part of Dann's office.

Sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity told The Dispatch that the investigation's focus is Dann's dealings with gambling interests, not the ongoing sexual-harassment scandal in his office that has cost four people their jobs and triggered calls by Gov. Ted Strickland and other Democratic leaders for Dann's resignation or impeachment.

Michael Brooks, an FBI special agent who serves as spokesman, said, "We can neither confirm nor deny any investigation into the attorney general's office."

Dann spokesman Ted Hart initially said yesterday that he was unaware of an FBI probe. Hart, however, then talked to Dann, who told him that he knew the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission had initiated a gambling investigation.

Dann, who is chairman of the commission, "recused himself from that investigation from the beginning," Hart said.

The commission's six other members are appointed by the governor. The group works closely with law-enforcement organizations to investigate specific criminal issues, including violent crime, burglary and, more recently, foreclosure scams.

Jeff Rossi, the panel's executive director, said he was unaware of a formal request to the FBI for an investigation. But he said one could have been generated by the commission or any member.

Dann, a Democrat elected in 2006, has refused to resign despite calls from top elected officials and essentially being disowned by the Ohio Democratic Party.
The state legislature is expected to act quickly this week on a measure giving Inspector General Thomas P. Charles broad authority to investigate mismanagement and the handling of the sexual-harassment complaints by Dann's office.


I have learned one thing
Crusaders tend to come back with arrows in them
you can rock the boat, just not too much
____________________________________________________________________________
http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnat...2/daily33.html
this is a good thing for the Ohio RE market

Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann, crippled by a sexual harassment scandal surrounding his office and an admitted affair with a staff member, resigned Wednesday.

Dann, 46, made the announcement at the Ohio Statehouse shortly before 5 p.m., joined by Gov. Ted Strickland, who had called for his resignation just over a week before.

"The only way to protect the priorities of the attorney general's office and the people of Ohio is to remove myself as attorney general," Dann said.
__________________________________________________________________________

Many Many Mire to come...

Blausey Physically Assaulted at Hocking Correctional Facility by Possible Aids Patient Henry Dority , Robert Paisola Reports

For Immediate Release
Copyright 2009 RobertPaisola.com All Rights Reserved.
Western Capital Multimedia
(PRNEWSWIRE.COM) Robert Paisola, Salt Lake City, Utah February 25, 2009










Robert Paisola for Western Capital Multimedia, and PRNEWSWIRE.COM (For Associated Press Syndication)

NEWS UPDATE- Licking County Resident Harry Blausey Physically Assaulted at Hocking Correctional Facility by Possible Aids Patient, Henry Dority , Robert Paisola Reports Live

Terry J. Collins, Director of Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction

Warden Edward Banks, Warden of The Hocking County Correctional Facility

Inmate Henry Dority, The Assailant , Is He Carrying the AIDS Virus as Stated Below?

Mr. Harry Blausey has been assaulted by Hocking Correctional Facility Inmate Henry Dority of Hamilton County, Ohio. Dority was convicted of Ohio Revised Code Section 2903.11 Felonious assault.

HIS PREVIOUS ACTIONS WERE EITHER:

(A) No person shall knowingly do either of the following:

(1) Cause serious physical harm to another or to another’s unborn;

(2) Cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another or to another’s unborn by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance.

(B) No person, with knowledge that the person has tested positive as a carrier of a virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, shall knowingly do any of the following:

Stay tuned for a letter in response to this matter from Warden Edward Banks, comments from the staff at the institution and comments from Counsel on Prison Abuse Matters.

This event has been confirmed and we have also confirmed that the correctional institution HAS NOT taken photographs of the victim, Mr. Blausey, however 5 days after the assault by Henry Dority, Blausey was taken to a local Emergency Room for CT Scans and diagnostic procedures. Did blood splatter from Dority onto Blausey? Does Dority carry the AIDS Virus, as outlined in the charging language?

Find out how the on site medical doctor Dr. Asche responded, and then watch as we dive into the area "Behind the scenes" of correctional justice, that is administered from WITHIN the institution. Listen to what the "internal investigator" Mr. Jerry Tolson has to say about the incident.

Listen to worldwide experts on Civil Rights Violations review the data as they discuss Blausey's Claims against the State of Ohio if indeed Inmate Henry Dority is carrying the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or that he was not treated for five days. Understand what the term MEDICAL DELIBERATE INDIFFERENCE means and how a 5th Circuit Court Awarded the Inmate $250,000 in Damages, and then look at the REAL potential financial liability on the Citizens of The State of Ohio because of the Wanton Neglect by The State of Ohio Department of Corrections.

Listen to how the Victim of this assault STILL HAS NOT BEEN PROVIDED PAIN MEDICATION, however he may be symptomatic of a hematologic brain injury as a result of Dority's Assault.

Watch as Counsel for the Abused Demands that Dority be Criminally Charged for his actions and listen to the reply. And watch as Counsel for the Abused demands copies of all investigative data, medical records and hospital reports (that were treated 5 days later only after our demands were sent in writing) We will provide that data to you also.

We will take you inside the world of prison injustice, into a world where a man possibly diagnosed with AIDS could victimize a Newark Ohio Real Estate Agent... Harry Blausey.

Media Crews are en route to The Hocking County Correctional Facility in Nelsonville, Ohio. We will bring you the events as they unfold along with all of the details of the assailant Inmate A529866 Henry Dority who is imprisoned for violation of Felonious Assault against a MALE as outlined below:

2903.11 Felonious assault.

(A) No person shall knowingly do either of the following:

(1) Cause serious physical harm to another or to another’s unborn;

(2) Cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another or to another’s unborn by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance.

(B) No person, with knowledge that the person has tested positive as a carrier of a virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, shall knowingly do any of the following:

(1) Engage in sexual conduct with another person without disclosing that knowledge to the other person prior to engaging in the sexual conduct;

(2) Engage in sexual conduct with a person whom the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe lacks the mental capacity to appreciate the significance of the knowledge that the offender has tested positive as a carrier of a virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome;

(3) Engage in sexual conduct with a person under eighteen years of age who is not the spouse of the offender.

(C) The prosecution of a person under this section does not preclude prosecution of that person under section 2907.02 of the Revised Code.

(D)(1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of felonious assault, a felony of the second degree. If the victim of a violation of division (A) of this section is a peace officer or an investigator of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation, felonious assault is a felony of the first degree. If the victim of the offense is a peace officeror an investigator of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation, and if the victim suffered serious physical harm as a result of the commission of the offense, felonious assault is a felony of the first degree, and the court, pursuant to division (F) of section 2929.13 of the Revised Code, shall impose as a mandatory prison term one of the prison terms prescribed for a felony of the first degree.

(2) In addition to any other sanctions imposed pursuant to division (D)(1) of this section for felonious assault committed in violation of division (A)(2) of this section, if the deadly weapon used in the commission of the violation is a motor vehicle, the court shall impose upon the offender a class two suspension of the offender’s driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege as specified in division (A)(2) of section 4510.02 of the Revised Code.

(E) As used in this section:

(1) “Deadly weapon” and “dangerous ordnance” have the same meanings as in section 2923.11 of the Revised Code.

(2) “Motor vehicle” has the same meaning as in section 4501.01 of the Revised Code.

(3) “Peace officer” has the same meaning as in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code.

(4) “Sexual conduct” has the same meaning as in section 2907.01 of the Revised Code, except that, as used in this section, it does not include the insertion of an instrument, apparatus, or other object that is not a part of the body into the vaginal or anal opening of another, unless the offender knew at the time of the insertion that the instrument, apparatus, or other object carried the offender’s bodily fluid.

(4) “Investigator of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation” means an investigator of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation who is commissioned by the superintendent of the bureau as a special agent for the purpose of assisting law enforcement officers or providing emergency assistance to peace officers pursuant to authority granted under section 109.541 of the Revised Code.

(5) “Investigator” has the same meaning as in section 109.541 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 03-23-2000; 08-03-2006; 03-14-2007; 04-04-2007

More Henry Dority Criminal Files:

The top two links show the case he was incarcerated on. Looks like he violated his community release and the sentence was imposed (4 years). He only had 15 months left on his sentence. I'll keep looking. CRN-LAX

http://www.courtclerk.org/case_summary.asp?sec=history&casenumber=/04/CRA/31420
http://www.courtclerk.org/case_summary.asp?casenumber=/04/CRA/31420
Attorney info:
http://www.courtclerk.org/case_summary.asp?sec=party&casenumber=B%200409692

Other cases
http://www.courtclerk.org/case_summary.asp?sec=party&casenumber=/95/CRB/12481
http://www.courtclerk.org/case_summary.asp?sec=history&casenumber=/95/CRB/25757
http://www.courtclerk.org/case_summary.asp?casenumber=/85/CRA/881
http://www.courtclerk.org/case_summary.asp?casenumber=/86/TRD/50355
http://www.courtclerk.org/case_summary.asp?casenumber=/89/CRB/9944
http://www.courtclerk.org/case_summary.asp?casenumber=/90/TRD/3584
http://www.courtclerk.org/case_summary.asp?casenumber=/90/TRD/37177

Henry Dority Criminal File:

DORITY/HENRY		/03/CRB/28371			B 0307275-B
DORITY/HENRY		/04/CRA/31420			B 0409692
DORITY/HENRY		/04/CRB/24585
DORITY/HENRY		/06/CRB/11356
DORITY/HENRY		/06/CRB/35880
DORITY/HENRY		/85/CRA/881
DORITY/HENRY		/86/TRD/50355
DORITY/HENRY		/89/CRB/9944
DORITY/HENRY		/90/TRD/3584
DORITY/HENRY		/90/TRD/37177
DORITY/HENRY		/93/TRD/30935
DORITY/HENRY		/93/TRD/40435
DORITY/HENRY		/95/CRB/12481
DORITY/HENRY		/95/CRB/25757
DORITY/HENRY/J		/00/TRC/20151
DORITY/HENRY/J		/00/TRD/23365
DORITY/HENRY/J		C/01/CRB/19513
DORITY/HENRY/J		C/01/TRD/18303
DORITY/HENRY/JAMES		/06/CRB/11356
DORITY/HENRY/JAMES		/06/CRB/35880
DORITY/HENRY/JAMES		/97/CRB/7249
DORITY/HENRY/JAMES		/98/CRB/15790
DORITY/HENRY/JR		/05/TRD/54167

Stay tuned, because this is only the beginning of what could be a VERY COSTLY MISTAKE for THE STATE OF OHIO. The Criminal Files on Henry Dority are now being requested and Dr. Asche is now being contacted to confirm or deny that Dority is carrying the AIDS Virus. If so, Federal Charges May be forthcoming based on Federal Statute against the assailant Dority.

Stay Tuned for updated details concerning The Harry BlauseyCase, Newark Ohio, Licking County Case

The Harry Blausey Case, Newark Ohio, Licking County Ohio, Real Estate Foreclosure Specialist in Jail - Could YOU be Next, By Robert Paisola

For Immediate Release Copyright 2009 RobertPaisola.com All Rights Reserved. Robert Paisola, Los Angeles, California February 22, 2009



In Licking County, Ohio, The Newark Advocate reports that a Newark man has been indicted for 30 felony counts related to his alleged making of criminally false promises to 15 homeowners facing foreclosure. The man, Harry W. Blausey, 66, was charged with:

1. 10 counts of grand theft, a fourth-degree felony;
2. 14 counts of securing writings by deception, a fourth-degree felony;
3. five counts of theft, a fifth-degree felony; and
4. one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a second-degree felony.

An excerpt from the story:

* Licking County Prosecutor Ken Oswalt declined to discuss the specifics of Blausey’s alleged actions, but did say that the defendant preyed on their foreclosure concerns. “In most, if not all, of these (charges), he accepted from (the alleged victims) a quit claim deed,” he said. “They signed their property over to him based on the representations he was making. ... They would sign there property over to him thinking they would get a significant benefit in terms of avoiding foreclosure .. or walking away from the property.”

* In addition to the 30-count indictment, Blausey is involved in 17 civil cases in the Licking County Common Pleas Court. Six of those cases involve plaintiffs named in the indictment.

For more, see:

* Too good to be true (In a pinch, they trusted him; now he faces 30 charges in mortgage deal),

* Man indicted in foreclosure fraud scheme (Former real estate agent also facing civil court complaints),

* More area residents come forward about foreclosure case,

* Recorder raised suspicions 2 years ago (Licking County Recorder Bryan Long said his office was skeptical of documents submitted by Harry Blausey as far back as 2006).

See also, WBNS-TV Channel 10: Real Estate Agent Accused In Foreclosure Scheme.

Links to be posted soon

The Foundations Preliminary Notes:

A key point to be highlighted in this case is that, like many of the other cases in this market, there were multiple (presumably unrelated, unconnected) homeowners involving multiple properties that were claiming to be victims. The victims DID NOT ALL COME FORWARD to allege that they were taken advantage of, but were SOUGHT OUT BY LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT based on Deed and Recording Activity. We believe that it's reasonable to assume that this case is based upon much community emotion and the belief that the commonality of being a victim when presented a PRE PREPARED questionnaire from Law Enforcement is a terrifying prospect for most American Citizens. How would you react- faced with law enforcement at your door stating that you may have done something wrong, or that you MAY JUST BE A VICTIM... Which would YOU choose?

However, what if the structure of the deal that you agreed to, signed and executed was something that created a win-win between two parties, one being an expert in Real Estate Investment and the other a victim of a pending foreclosure?

What if you were to see materials that were available to YOU, that would provide you with a step by step approach to investing in Foreclosed Real Estate and Pre-Foreclosure Real Estate. What if the data that you were being presented was sold and taught by hundreds of International Experts on Real Estate including but not limited to Carlton Sheets, Ron Legrand, Russ Whitney, The Trump Organizations Trump University, or The Learning Annex?

Much Much More to Come....

From The Home Equity Reporter Files

If you are or have been involved in the Harry Blausey Case in Newark, Ohio, and believe that you are either a victim or a supporter of the Defendant, including a member of the MEDIA, the Police Department, The Licking County Sheriff's Department, The State of Ohio's Governors Office, A Member of Congress or the United States Senate or their aids, please send your story, observations and comments to investigations@mycollector.com or media.relations@robertpaisola.com Your confidentiality is assured and will in no way be disclosed or violated. You can watch many of our investigative stories on other cases on YOUTUBE.com by simply typing in ROBERT PAISOLA.

Stay tuned for our opening statement on this case that is being prepared now. This story will be live on the Associated Press Wire Service soon, however you can watch this blog for constant updates. You can reach this blog from www.HarryBlausey.com, www.RobertPaisola.com , www.MyCollector.com www.RobertPaisolaInnocenceProject.com and many others.

Our updates will detail our teams visits to Newark, Ohio, to interview the witnesses and the attorneys in this case. We will discuss the attorneys, Attorney Mark Alan Serrott of Columbus, Ohio, Attorney Carl McCoy of Newark Ohio, and the Licking County Ohio Prosecutor Ken Oswalt and the Victims Outlined in the Indictment as Presented by The State of Ohio, Including,

This case will be broadcast Live on the ABC Radio Network, MSNBC, CNN International, and The BBC Worldwide, The Innocence Project USA, The Western Capital Multimedia Network and other media venues across the world.

Our Favorite Links on Prison Reform and the Innocence Project, By Robert Paisola

Links

Innocence Organizations

The Innocence Network

Other Innocence Groups Around the World

After Exoneration

Life After Exoneration Project

Innocence Project Exoneree Fund

Other Organizations Providing Legal Assistance

American Civil Liberties Union - Prisoners’ Assistance Directory

Exoneree Websites

Alan Crotzer (Florida - Exonerated in 2006)

Jeffrey Deskovic (New York - Exonerated in 2006)

Darryl Hunt (North Carolina - Exonerated in 2004)

Brandon Moon (Texas - Exonerated in 2005)

Walter Smith (Ohio - Exonerated in 1996)

James Waller (Texas - Exonerated in 2007)

Nick Yarris (Pennsylvania - Exonerated in 2003)

Criminal Justice Resources - Non-Government Organizations

American Bar Association.- Criminal Justice Section

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Trial Lawyers for Public Justice

The Justice Project - Criminal Justice Reform Organization

Death Penality Information Center

Criminal Justice Resources - U.S. Government

National Institute of Justice

Bureau of Justice Statistics

Office of Justice Programs

National Criminal Justice Reference Service

Eyewitness Identification Resources

EyeID.org - Defense Resource for Litigating Eyewitness Identification Cases

New Jersey Eyewitness ID Protocols

Northampton Police Department ID Protocols

Santa Clara County ID Protocols

DNA Testing and Forensic Science

Combined DNA Index System (CODIS DNA Database)

How DNA is Tested in Crime Labs - Seattle Post-Intelligencer (PDF)

MITOMAP - A Human Mitochondrial Genome Database

Convicting an innocent person represents a failure in our criminal justice system, Posted by Robert Paisola

Convicting an innocent person represents a failure in our criminal justice system.

With the advent of DNA evidence, we can now know with absolute certainty that certain convictions were mistakes. But how did the police, prosecutor, judge, and jury all find this person guilty beyond a reasonable doubt? Criminal Justice Reform Commissions enable us to review the case, identify the causes of mistaken conviction, and recommend remedial steps to avoid future mistaken convictions.

When innocent people are the focus of investigations and prosecution, the real perpetrator evades responsibility. By improving the operation of our criminal justice system, Criminal Justice Reform Commissions are just good law enforcement.

What is a Criminal Justice Reform Commission?

A Criminal Justice Reform Commission is an independent investigative committee comprised of key players from throughout the criminal justice system, including prosecutors, judges, police officers, defense attorneys and forensic scientists. They examine post-conviction DNA exonerations to establish their causes and recommend changes to prevent future wrongful convictions.

The key features of Criminal Justice Reform Commissions are subpoena power, access to first-rate investigative resources, and political independence. These commissions must be trusted to speak out about cases where the system fails. Finally, they must consist of distinguished players from all aspects of the criminal justice system, so that their findings will be trusted, respected, and acted upon.

Have Criminal Justice Reform Commissions been formed elsewhere?

Government entities in California, Connecticut, Illinois, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin have established Criminal Justice Reform Commissions, and many more states are considering doing the same. Based on the work of these commissions, states have enacted reforms relating to eyewitness identification practice, reducing the prevalence of false confessions and establishing statewide forensic oversight.

In some states where governmental efforts to form Criminal Justice Reform Commissions have not come to fruition, state bar associations have taken on similar work. In 2008, the President of the New York State Bar Association announced the formation of a blue ribbon task force charged with identifying the systemic, procedural and statutory causes of wrongful conviction in New York State. The 22-member task force will issue a report to the New York legislature in April of 2009.

From The Innocence Project 2009