MOOD

I’ve been in a mood. Monday felt like just the usual case of the Mondays. Microscopes had to be restarted multiple times to get them working. I set up a batch of slides to run overnight, but when I checked on them from home by remote access, I discovered that the batch failed due to a software error. I dreamed about those slides and zombies and then woke up today with my mood far from improved from the previous day. Then there was more work related shenanigans, one of them involving a supervisor. I headed off to my yoga mat with fury in my heart. While I moved through my sun salutations, my brain vibrated with chatter and rage. It was not until the end of my practice, as I sat in baddha konasana, that the chatter lifted and I started sobbing. I stayed there sobbing in baddha konasana for a while and watched the fat tears fall to my mat. Then, slowely, the tears dried up and I breathed a sigh of release.

The first thing to greet me when I went back to my desk was a news notification announcing the release of Kevin Strickland. Some of you might remember the story I wrote back in July regarding Mr. Strickland as well as Lamar Johnson, two men being held in prison despite the evidence proving them innocent. Since that entry, every week I have written and called the MO Governor and the Attorney General, pleading with them to do the right thing and release these men. Each week I have received letter back from both saying the same thing. “We appreciate you contacting [The Governor’s office or Attorney General’s office] …” Both letters end by basically saying they’re not going to do anything about it. I know that my letter writing has very little to do with the release of Mr. Strickland, but I like to think that my voice helped to keep this topic fresh in other people’s minds. That is an act of activism.

There’s a section in Karen Walrond’s The Lightmaker’s Manifesto that talks about celebrating your victories. They don’t have be to big victories, but even the tiniest victory deserves a Huzzah. Even though the only thing I did here was to bring attention to this issue, I feel like celebrating this victory. Not for myself. No, I feel like celebrating this victory for this man, his family and this community. I’m going to celebrate today and continue writing and calling tomorrow for Lamar Johnson.

KEVIN STRICKLAND AND LAMAR JOHNSON

Both of these men are currently in prison in the state of MO for crimes they have not committed. Some of you might have seen the story about Kevin Strickland and Lamar Johnson on CBS Sunday Morning this week. If you are confused about what is systemic racism, I will tell you these two men and their stories are excellent examples. Missouri Governor Michael Parson and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt are perpetuating systemic racism.

In the case of Kevin Strickland, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office concluded publicly that “[r]eliable corroborated evidence now proves that Mr. Strickland is factually innocent of the charges for which he was convicted in 1979. In the interest of justice, Mr.Strickland’s conviction should be set aside, he should be promptly released and he deserves publick exoneration.” This came from the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office. This is a statement that is saying “Hey. We were wrong and sentenced the wrong guy to life in prison. We need to let him out.” You can read more about Kevin Strickland at the Midwest Innocence Project.

Lamar Johnson was convicted in 1994 for a murder he did not commit. Two people have confessed to that murder. The Missouri Supreme Court denied Mr. Johnson’s request for a new trial. In the denial letter the court sent, the basically say “hey, we know you didn’t do it, but it’s too late for appeals.”

Not a single Judge denied Lamar Johnson’s innocence. Indeed, the very prosecutor’s office that convicted Lamar Johnson concluded that he is innocent. - Statement on the Missouri Supreme Court decision in State v. Johnson

Eric Schmitt is the Missouri Attorney General. His phone number is 573-751-332. You can also contact him through his website: https://ago.mo.gov/about-us/contact-us I haven’t been able to track down the phone number for the Governor, but he can also be contacted through his website: https://governor.mo.gov/contact-us

I did get a generic response from the Governor’s office this afternoon. It basically said that they are reviewing the case, but that they give great difference to the judicial system. Every day, my plan is to email and call both of these men and ask them to release these two men. I am urging each and every one of you to do the same. You can also donate to the Midwest Innocence Project.