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SAMPLE LETTER TO GOVERNOR KAINE

Governor Timothy M. Kaine
Patrick Henry Building, Third Floor
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Dear Governor Kaine: 

I am writing to support the Clemency Petition of Joseph Jesse Dick, Jr., Derek Elliot Tice, and Danial J. Williams.  These men are innocent, and they should be returned to their families. 

These three innocent men were wrongfully convicted in a tragic miscarriage of justice.  They have now spent over eleven years in jail for a crime they did not commit.  Omar Ballard has confessed and been sentenced to life in prison for the rape and murder of Michelle Bosko, and continues to insist that he committed this crime alone.  DNA testing has proved that his statements are true – Mr. Ballard, and only, Mr. Ballard – was the source of the semen and blood recovered from the crime scene and autopsy.  There was no physical evidence whatsoever linking anyone other than Mr. Ballard to this crime. 

Joe, Derek, and Danial, are all veterans of the United States Navy with no prior criminal records.  They are upstanding young men who have lived their lives helping others.  Each of them protected our country by serving in the armed forces.  There is absolutely nothing in their character or background to suggest that they would commit such a horrible crime.  All that links Joe, Derek, and Danial to this crime is a series of coerced and demonstrably false confessions.  These confessions resulted from improper interrogation tactics employed by Detective Robert Glen Ford, the lead investigator in this case, who has a history of eliciting false confessions. 

Governor Kaine, please do what is right, do what is just, do what is long overdue.  Release these men from prison.  They are innocent and belong at home with their families.

Sincerely,