Month: May 2015

Tallahassee, FL—On Thursday, May 21, 2015, a jury found Curtis Hall guilty of Two Counts of 2^nd Degree Murder and Armed Robbery. Curtis Hall was 17-years-old when he was charged with the double murders of the Hornsby brothers—both men in their early sixties. Although there was no physical evidence against the teen, it’s been reported that Curtis Hall confessed to the murders—but only after hours of being interrogated by the Tallahassee Police. Keep in mind that this is the same Tallahassee Police Department that is being accused of mishandling the rape allegations against Jameis Winston reported by Erica Kinsman—both Florida State University students at the time of alleged rape.

So—is the message here when a White female college student reports an alleged rape committed by a Florida State University football player—she’s not to be believed—but when a 17-year-old Black boy is interrogated for numerous hours—his confession is gospel? Where is the gun that was used to murder the Hornsby brothers? Is the gun in the back of a neighbor’s toilet? Or has the gun been transported away from the Gum Road Solid Waste transfer station—and dumped miles away in a landfill?

The vast mishandling of criminal cases in Tallahassee is disturbing. Neither college students, who may be a victim or witness of crime,– nor defense attorneys, who may be attempting to uphold their defendant’s right to due process,– seem to be able to hit the mark—despite doing everything that they are legally supposed to do. A clear sign of corruption within the judicial system.

Some college students have admitted to being in fear of the police. In October 2013, a petite female college student testified in the double murder trial of DeShon Thomas. The female witness’ name, along with crucial parts of her testimony that pointed away from DeShon as the murderer and possibly directly to the real murderer, was published on the Internet—on the website of WCTV News—Tallahassee’s local news station. The female witness was unaware of having been exploited in such manner. While there was probably no law having been broken by WCTV News, the reporter covering the story, Julie Montanaro, protected the identity (did not show his face) of the male witness who testified against DeShon.

Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford was the second judge to preside over DeShon’s case. Circuit Judge Fulford spontaneously replaced Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson following a letter that DeShon’s mother had mailed to Governor Rick Scott in mid-2013. Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford set trial for four months out from the time she took over. DeShon’s new court appointed attorney had recently had his Motion to Withdraw from DeShon’s case denied by Circuit Judge James Hankinson. Seemingly at the time—no defense attorney wanted to represent DeShon in a double murder case where Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell and his dad, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell, could not present a single piece of physical evidence to prove that 17-year-old DeShon Thomas had committed the offenses. In addition, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and State Attorney Willie Meggs’ Office had filed legal documents identifying Don Odham as a Leon County Sheriff’s Detective—further allowing Mr. Odham to testify in front of a grand jury as a detective. It was Mr. Odham’s reports and documents that Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell used in order to get Leon County Judge Nina Ashenafi-Richardson to find sufficient probable cause and issue an arrest warrant for DeShon. DeShon plead Not Guilty. During DeShon’s trial, is when DeShon and DeShon’s family learned that the man who had been referred to as “Leon County Sheriff’s Detective Don Odham”, was never an employee at the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Odham is referred to as “Leon County Sheriff Detective Don Odham”, on notarized legal documents, and by numerous veteran Leon County Sheriff’s Deputies, by DeShon’s defense attorneys, by Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell, and by Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford. All of DeShon’s attorneys failed to inform DeShon that he was arrested and convicted for murdering two of his friends, along with the life of his unborn daughter–because Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and his son, Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell, along with State Attorney Willie Meggs and others decided that it was best to allow Mr. Don Odham to “Play Cop”. Mr. Odham testified as to having spent several years in business. It was Mr. Odham’s constant presence at the Leon County Sheriff’s Office as to why he says that he was given a badge and asked to be a detective with the Violent Crimes Unit (car sales professionals would refer to Mr. Odham as a “Lot Lizard”). At no given time was Mr. Odham an official Leon County Sheriff’s Detective. All Mr. Odham really is—is a close personal friend of Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell. Although Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford is not being investigated by the Judicial Qualifications Commission for misconduct committed in DeShon Thomas’ case, DeShon’s mother did file a complaints with the JQC against Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford, Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson, Circuit Judge Charles Dodson, and Leon County Judge Robert Wheeler. All of these judges violated DeShon Thomas’ right to due process.

Defense attorneys should not be faced with having to act unethically in order to gain favor with judges. Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell stated that he “tells judges which attorneys to assign to cases,” –and guess what—he wasn’t lying. Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell instructed Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford during DeShon Thomas’ pre-trial. Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell blatantly lied to the court in order to gain favorable rulings/convictions.

According to reports, on May 22, 2015, a jury found Curtis Hall guilty of 2 counts of second degree murder. Curtis Hall was 17-years-old in 2012, when he was charged with shooting and killing the Hornsby brothers. The Hornsby brothers, who were in their early sixties, were acquaintances of Curtis Hall. During Curtis Hall’s trial, which began the week of May 18, 2015, Curtis Hall’s lawyer argued that there was no evidence to show that Curtis Hall had committed the murders. Curtis Hall’s double murder trial without any physical evidence linking him to the murders was the second double murder case in Tallahassee where a 17-year-old Black male was charged and convicted without any physical evidence against him. What does that say about the forensics team of law enforcement officers’ qualifications? Are law enforcement officers in the Crime Scene Unit in Tallahassee qualified to properly collect evidence?

Also reported on May 22, 2015, was the First District Court of Appeals overturning of the conviction of Kendrick Herring, a Black male who was charged in Tallahassee with second degree murder, attempted second degree murder and two firearms charges. Kendrick Herring was sentenced to two life sentences. The first District Court of Appeals overturned his conviction based on  law enforcement officers failure to obtain a search warrant before tracking Mr. Herring’s cell phone. Surely, law enforcement officers’ failure to obtain a search warrant was not an oversight by Mr. Herrings defense attorney–was it? Note: Mr. Herrings appeal was not on the basis of an incompetent lawyer. Another situation similar to all others—where law enforcement officers make an arrest at will and the defendants lawyers maybe coerced to sit back and allow their clients to be convicted. Any first year law school student could have defended Mr. Herring on the grounds of law enforcements failure to obtain a search warrant. So why is Mr. Herring, along with college students in Tallahassee being subjected to such game? Judicial games are a complete waste of Florida taxpayers’ money–especially when there are so many uninsured Floridians.

When parents send their children off to college—parents brace themselves for the many mistakes that their child may make. No parent is prepared to deal with the exploitation of their child or a judicial body plagued with corruption. Definitely not defense attorneys who are in some form of fear of the judges who hold all of the cards–except when, you know, Assistant State Attorney Jack Campbell is the prosecutor.

#FREEDESHONTHOMASNOW

Tallahassee, FL—Not long ago, many prosecutors complained about not being able to gain convictions because jurors may have been affected due to television shows like Law and Order and CSI: Miami. The problem that prosecutors were having was the inability to produce to the jurors a hefty amount of physical evidence in order to gain convictions. Well, the lack of physical evidence is not been a problem with State Attorney Willie Meggs and his Assistant State Attorneys/Prosecutors. They simply don’t present physical evidence to win their cases. They win their convictions the old fashion way—they withhold evidence and commit fraud.

The late Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and 2^nd Judicial Circuit Willie Meggs seemed to feed off of each other. State Attorney Willie Meggs, who repeatedly assigned Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell to prosecute case that Sheriff Campbell was investigating, was win-win with or without a single shred of evidence against defendants. In most cases where the father/son duo collaborated on—Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell relied heavily on orchestrated testimony from his dad’s employees—Leon County Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives, and judges willing to sign any document placed before them. Whenever Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell ordered judges to sign documents—they got signed. (Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell had forty plus years of being involved in local law enforcement before being elected sheriff. Naturally, his son, Jack Campbell, a forty-something year-old White male, presented an arrogance like none of the other Assistant State Attorneys/Prosecutors employed by State Attorney Willie Meggs. Some of the judges in the 2^nd Judicial Circuit, particularly Circuit Judge James Hankinson and Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford, were Assistant State Attorneys/Prosecutors under State Attorney Willie Meggs before being elected/appointed as circuit judge. In the 2011 double murder case, State of Florida vs. DeShon Thomas, Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell had no problem ordering Circuit Judge James Hankinson and then Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford to do as he wanted them to do. In his arrogant manner, Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell told both judges what to do and how to do it—including what court appointed attorneys to assign to cases of his inmate witnesses.

In 2011, seventeen-year-old, DeShon Thomas, a Black male, was a full-time freshman at Tallahassee Community College. When DeShon’s pregnant ex-girlfriend and her 17-year-old brother were found murdered in their mother’s townhome, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office used all of their resources to investigate DeShon. There was absolutely no physical evidence linking DeShon to the murders nor was there a single finger from the victims’ family members pointing to DeShon as being the murderer. Detectives saw that DeShon had a juvenile record and decided to draw their own conclusions. Detective chose to overlook that DeShon’s juvenile record was not lengthy, consisted of non-violent charges and were committed when DeShon was 15-years-old. DeShon was always held responsible for his offenses—meaning he didn’t run away from them. DeShon had no reason to commit the murders of his friends. The evidence and witness statements that veteran detectives were receiving did not link DeShon to the murderer. As veteran detective were beginning to follow up on the evidence and statements from witnesses, Leon County Sheriff’s Detective Don Odham claimed to have gotten an incriminating statement from DeShon’s co-worker, 21-year-old Trentin Ross.

(Prior to DeShon being charged with the murders, Sheriff Larry Campbell and Assistant State Attorney /Prosecutor Jack Campbell recruited Don Odham to work in the Violent Crimes Unit as a detective. Mr. Odham, a wealthy family friend of the Campbell’s, was never an employee with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, yet, Mr. Odham was given a badge, a patrol car, and full authority to act as crime scene detective and homicide detective. Mr. Odham had been involved in several homicide cases that ended in controversy—cases that were mishandled by Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and State Attorney Willie Meggs. The first mishandling of the controversial and/or homicide cases was with Mr. Odham not being an employee of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, yet, being involved with processing crimes scenes, conducting interviews of witnesses, handling evidences, and including reports (legal documents—notarized documents) reports listing Mr. Odham as a Leon County Sheriff’s Detective. The second mishandling of cases, was State Attorney Willie Meggs filing documents with the Leon County Clerk of Courts and then using Mr. Odham’s documents as part of his decision to prosecute or not prosecute criminal cases. State Attorney Willie Meggs and Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell knew  that Mr. Odham was not an employee of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. While it is unknown who all was aware of Mr. Odham being allowed to “act” as a Leon County Sheriff’s Detective, it is known that several families reached out to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for assistance to help resolve issues with either the lost of their loved one or the wrongful prosecution of their loved one.)

On October 18, 2013, nearly 3 years after the murders, DeShon was convicted on the 2011 double homicide (Two Counts of 1^st Degree Murder) and the 2012 case (Solicitation to Commit 1^st Degree Murder). There was no physical evidence linking DeShon to the murders and the Solicitation to Commit 1^st Degree Murder charge was orchestrated by Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell and State Attorney Investigator Jason Newlin. While DeShon never asked a fellow inmate to kill Trentin Ross, the only witness against DeShon—there is a Leon County Sheriff’s Sergeant by the name of Ronald O’Brien, who testified at a pre-trial hearing that he took a letter that had been written in gang code by Dawaun Williams into the Leon County Jail and placed in an area where the POD Correctional Officer would unsuspectingly deliver the letter to DeShon. (Mr. Williams had been introduced to DeShon two weeks earlier. After it was relayed to Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell that Mr. Williams and DeShon had been introduced, Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell ordered State Attorney Jason Newlin to go to the Leon County Jail and meet with Mr. Dawaun Williams. Once Mr. Williams agreed to assist with them with getting DeShon charged with Solicitation to Commit murder, Mr. Williams was released from jail. Next, Mr. Williams worked with State Attorney Jason Newlin and Sergeant O’Brien. Sergeant O’Brien did not work in the Leon County Jail neither was Sergeant O’Brien a member of the jail’s gang taskforce.  Deputy O’Brien, State Attorney Investigator Jason Newlin and DeShon had no prior knowledge of how to read or write in gang code until their brief interaction with inmate, Dawaun Williams. DeShon, Deputy O’Brien and State Attorney Jason Newlin relied on Dawaun Williams to interpret the one letter that Mr. Williams testified to have written. Mr. Williams received money from the State Attorney’s Office and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.

As it’s been reported, currently, Curtis Hall, a Black male, is on trial for two murders that took place in 2012. Curtis Hall, who was seventeen-years-old at the time of his arrest, was an acquaintance of the two brothers who were found murder. The Hornsby brothers, who were both in their early sixties, were found murdered in their apartment. There is no physical evidence, no DNA, no fingerprints, etc. linking Curtis to the murders. (Taking into consideration the ton of lies used to convict DeShon Thomas, nothing and no one coming out of State Attorney Willie Meggs’ Office should be able to be presented to a jury.)

DeShon Thomas and Curtis Hall were typical seventeen year-olds. Mothers far and wide will testify that their seventeen-year-old sons are not clean enough to enter a room without leaving some form of evidence indicating that they were in that room—let alone a townhouse or an apartment.

There’s was plenty of physical evidence left behind at the crime scene of the two victims in that DeShon Thomas was charged. The physical evidence doesn’t link DeShon to the murders–because DeShon did not commit the murders. Instead of law enforcement officers following the evidence, they’d rather pluck Black male teens out of society and make them be the murderer.

As reported by the New York Times, in the article titled, ‘Can Forgiveness Play a Role in Criminal Justice’, a Tallahassee man named Conner McBride, who was a 19-year-old White male, walked into the Tallahassee Police Department in 2010 and confessed to murdering his girlfriend after the two had been arguing. The reporter with the New York Times basically states in the article that the police didn’t believe his confession—even further—the article gives details describing how Mr. McBride was coddled by the police and then treated gracefully by Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and State Attorney Willie Meggs, along with Assistant State Attorney/ Prosecutor Jack Campbell.

According to reports, in September 2013, a 17-year-old White male named Logan Murphy, shot and killed 17-year-old Robert Butler (a Black male). Robert Butler was in his home at the time of the shooting. Leon County Sheriff’s Detectives had the gun that was used to shoot Robert Butler and witnesses who identified Logan Murphy as the shooter, yet, months passed before Logan Murphy was arrested and charged with the murders. As far as Robert Butler’s family is concerned, justice was not served in their son’s murder. Upon Logan Murphy’s release from a juvenile facility at the age of 21, Logan Murphy will not be a convicted felon.

When it comes to charging and convicting White teenage males—even with their own confessions and the recovery of murder weapons—Tallahassee prosecutors and judges coddle them. But when it comes to charging a Black teenage male with murders—evidence is not needed. In fact, it’s not required—anything is acceptable—even placing a “fake cop” as lead detective and the State Attorney’s Office filing legal documents consisting fraudulent information. “Business as usual”, is what it seems to be when it comes to charging and convicting Black male teens without any physical evidence linking them to the murders—no DNA, no fingerprints, etc.

#FREEDESHONTHOMASNOW

Tallahassee, FL—With no physical evidence or a sworn incriminating statement from a single witness, on January 28, 2011, seventeen-year-old, DeShon Thomas, a Black male, was detained  at the Leon County Sheriff’s Office by a man who identified himself as Detective Odham. DeShon Thomas and his mother had gone to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office within less than 24 hours of DeShon informing his mother about the deaths of his pregnant ex-girlfriend and her younger brother. Also, DeShon was being harassed by Leon County Sheriff’s Detectives. DeShon told his mother that detectives had questioned him about the murders during a traffic stop while he was out riding with friends (DeShon was a backseat passenger). DeShon also told his mother that he had no involvement or knowledge of the murders. While DeShon and his mother were upset about the murders, DeShon’s mother had an underlying fear of why detectives chose to harass DeShon versus contacting him or her directly. Although DeShon was a freshman at Tallahassee Community College pursuing Associates in Arts Degree in Paralegal, as well as working at a fast-food restaurant, DeShon was still a minor child. For DeShon’s convenience, he had temporarily moved in with a 21-year-old co-worker named Trentin Ross, but that did not make DeShon an adult. As far as DeShon’s mother is concerned, Mr. Ross was harboring a minor. At the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Detective Odham denied DeShon’s mother the right to be present while DeShon gave a statement and then denied DeShon access to an attorney. DeShon’s mother knew that there was something terribly wrong with Detective Odham’s actions. Not only was Detective Odham blunt with his racist statements to both DeShon and his mother, but Detective Odham seemed comfortable with violating their Civil Rights. Although Detective Odham was not in uniform attire, he appeared to be in charge over other members of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, both in and out of uniform. At the end of it all–DeShon was not charged or arrested for having anything to do with the murders, but that would all change in the following days.

On Monday, February 7, 2011, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 17-year-old, DeShon Thomas, for the murders of 20-year-old, Laqecia Herring, and her 17-year-old brother, Sterling Conner Jr. The star detective noted to have gotten an incriminating statement from Trentin Ross, signed the Complaint and drafted the Summary of Offense for Two Counts of 1^st Degree Murder and Probable Cause was Detective Odham. DeShon plead NOT GUILTY to all charges.

Approximately a week after DeShon’s arrest on the murder charges, DeShon’s mother received a phone call from the Public Defender’s Office informing her that they will no longer be representing DeShon due to a conflict of interest. In addition, the Public Defender’s Office stated that the Regional Counsel’s Office would be representing DeShon. When DeShon’s mother asked for the name of DeShon’s new attorney, the Public Defender’s Office did not have any knowledge as to the name of the attorney assigned his case, but they were able to provide DeShon’s mother with phone numbers to the Regional Counsel’s Office and the Leon County Clerk of Courts, stating that they would have the name of his attorney in DeShon’s court record. For about a month, DeShon sat in the Leon County Jail without knowing the name or ever speaking to his court appointed attorney. DeShon solely relied on his mother for any and all information. In an attempt to get the name of the court appointed attorney assigned to represent DeShon, DeShon’s mother constantly called the Leon County Clerk of Courts and the Regional Counsel’s Office—both offices stated that they had no information. DeShon’s mother felt like maybe if she went in-person to the Leon County Clerk of Courts, and spoke with a clerk face to face, then maybe she would be given the name of DeShon’s court appointed attorney—to no avail. Neither the Leon County Clerk of Court nor the Regional Counsel’s Office had any information. DeShon’s mother began consulting with local private attorneys about representing DeShon. North Florida defense attorney, Greg Cummings, was one of several attorneys DeShon’s mother had met.

On March 10, 2011, the State Attorney’s Office charged DeShon with Possession of a Firearm by a Juvenile Delinquent. While the charges were stacking up against DeShon—DeShon, the Regional Counsel’s Office nor the Leon County Clerk of Courts had any knowledge of the name of DeShon’s court appointed attorney. The same day DeShon was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Juvenile Delinquent, DeShon’s mother received a phone call from Greg Cummings. Mr. Cummings had repeatedly called DeShon’s mother seeming desperate to be hired. Mr. Cummings took it upon himself to state that he believed that DeShon was being truthful about not having committed the murders and then he made derogatory statements about Circuit Judge Hankinson (Judge Hankinson, a former United States Chief Assistant Attorney with Department of Justice representing the 1^st District of Florida, was the presiding judge over DeShon’s case). On March 12, 2011, before DeShon and his mother signed a contract with Mr. Cummings, DeShon’s mother discussed various pieces of evidence that she believed needed to be disclosed that could prove DeShon’s innocence–DeShon’s AT&T cell phone records, the victims’ autopsy reports and a sworn statement from Trentin Ross. Mr. Cummings promised to disclose the evidence. In addition, since there was never a Gun Shot Residue Test taken on DeShon, Mr. Cummings promised to have DeShon polygraphed.  DeShon and his mother put their trust in Mr. Cummings. DeShon’s mother, who at that time was a 37-year-old single mother of four, wanted to believe that the adults who had been so privileged to exercise laws would uphold the laws. Not just for DeShon’s sake, but for the sake of DeShon’s older brother—who at the time of DeShon being charged with the murders—was just months away from graduating from Florida State University with a Bachelors Degree in Criminology—a major that DeShon’s mother suggested his brother take with the hopes that his brother would pursue a career in Criminal Justice—a field in which so many people in the African-American community label as a “Racist System”. Taking into consideration that DeShon’s judicial process was already going sideways—the racist vulgar from Detective Odham, violation of DeShon’s Miranda Rights, and no attorney on record—once again, DeShon’s mother had to give her sons a lesson in Black history. DeShon’s family didn’t expect any special favors from anyone—the laws on the books are clear—all DeShon’s mother asked of Mr. Cummings was to do his job.

Over sixteen months, Mr. Cummings had not kept any of his promises. There was no sign of Mr. Cummings attempting to build a defense for DeShon. DeShon’s Pre-trial court dates were repeatedly being rescheduled due to Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell filing a Motion for Continuance—possibly five different times. Not once did Mr. Cummings object to the continuances—they were all granted by Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson. One particular filing of a Motion to Continue by Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell—possibly his fourth filing for a continuance—was due to Don Odham (Detective Odham) having scheduled an upcoming vacation. In this filing for a continuance, Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell in part states the inability to proceed to trial without Mr. Odham’s testimony. (Click here to read the motion for continuance and an email from Don Odham   Motion for Continuance )

In late July 2012, DeShon’s mother went to the Leon County Courthouse to view DeShon’s file. Not only had she been absolutely right about Mr. Cummings not building a defense for DeShon, but there was nothing to show an attempt to prove or disprove statements made by Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell’s star detective, Don Odham. DeShon’s judicial process was raising more and more questions about the ethics of judicial officials—more than DeShon’s mother could’ve ever imagined. Simply because not long after DeShon was charged with the murders, DeShon’s mother had been told that “Detective Odham” was not a detective. In fact, DeShon’s mother had been told that “Detective Odham” was not an employee with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. DeShon’s mother was told that Don Odham was a wealthy friend of Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell—and Sheriff Campbell’s son—Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell. (As it has been reported across the nation—the case out in Tulsa, Oklahoma where friendship and money likely played a key role with Robert Bates having access to a badge and gun in order to “Play Cop”.)

Mr. Cummings collected nearly $30,000 from DeShon’s mother and never disclosed to DeShon or his mother that Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and his son, Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell, had committed fraud in order to have DeShon charged with the murders of his friends. In August 2012, when DeShon’s mother advised DeShon to fire Mr. Cummings—it was more about Mr. Cummings lack of communication, ethics and morals—than the money that she’d paid.

Within hours of Mr. Cummings filing a Motion to Withdraw from DeShon’s case, DeShon was charged with Solicitation to Commit 1^st Degree Murder–the target being Trentin Ross. DeShon’s cases defaulted back to the courts to assign an attorney. Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson had been presiding over DeShon’s case for nearly two years and had assigned the Public Defender’s office to DeShon’s case—they immediately filed a Motion to Withdraw. DeShon’s case was sent to the Regional Counsel’s Office where an attorney was assigned. This time DeShon had the name of the attorney, Samuel Olmstead. Mr. Olmstead sat on the case for nearly six months before resigning from the Regional Counsel’s office. In March 2013, an attorney named Daren Shippy with the Regional Counsel’s office was assigned to DeShon’s case (this was attorney #5). Mr. Shippy immediately filed a Motion to Withdraw. None of the attorneys attempted to build a defense for DeShon before filing their motion to withdraw. Circuit Judge Hankinson denied Mr. Shippy’s Motion to Withdraw.

In May 2013, DeShon’s mother contacted Florida Governor Rick Scott for the fourth time—informing Governor Scott that she believed Judge Hankinson was violating DeShon’s Constitutional Rights. At DeShon’s next court appearance (June 2013), Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford spontaneously began presiding over DeShon’s case.

In October 2013, Regional Counsel Daren Shippy, Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell and Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford allowed Don Odham to be presented to the jurors as a Leon County Sheriff’s Detective—Mr. Don Odham was never a detective with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to allowing Mr. Odham to impersonate a Leon County Sheriff’s Detective in front of the jury, a few other deputies and the medical examiner, Dr. Anthony Clark, committed perjury. There was no physical evidence connecting DeShon to the murders. DeShon, who was now 20-years-old, was convicted and sentenced to Two Life Sentences plus 30 years.

Today, as DeShon’s court appointed attorney dances with DeShon’s appeal—not wanting to show the immoral and criminal acts of fraud, perjury and other crimes that were committed by those in authority—in order to have a child wrongly convicted. The “Writing is on the wall”—“No man can serve two masters.” It was/is foolish for State Attorney Willie Meggs to assign Assistant State Attorney Jack Campbell as prosecutor on cases in that his dad, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell held jurisdiction over the criminal investigation. In cases of such biases—convictions are inevitable. Current data shows that judges are seeing more and more cases involving prosecutorial misconduct. In 2014, a record number of prison inmates were exonerated mainly in part of prosecutorial misconduct.

Recently, it was announced that Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford is being investigated by the Judicial Qualificiations Commission on three counts of misconduct. While none of the counts of misconduct have anything to do with DeShon’s case, documents show that she was having ethical problems before she ‘spontaneously’ began presiding over DeShon’s case. (One corrupt circuit judge replacing another corrupt circuit judge.)

Instead of Mr. Cummings representing DeShon—a child—who at 17-years-old was thrust into an adult judicial system—Mr. Cummings chose to rob DeShon of money, while at the same time robbing the victims and their family of true justice.  And as for Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford—acting as a co-conspirator—robbed the entire Criminal Justice System—possibly widening the gap of trust even further between law enforcement officers and the communities that they put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve. What a DISGRACE!

#FREEDESHONTHOMASNOW

Tallahassee, Florida—Quickly making arrests, stacking charges and giving Black males longer sentences than White males seems to be a common practice within the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, State Attorney Willie Meggs’ Office and two 2^nd Judicial Circuit Judges—James C. Hankinson and Jackie Fulford.

According to reports, in 2012, two Black male Godby High School students, 14-year-old, Khalid Muhammad and 15-year-old, Theodus Holloway, were charged as adults for the rape of a 14-year-old female classmate. The rape occurred in a baseball dugout during school hours. The victim did not have any scratches or signs of trauma—she did not go to school staff members or the police—instead she returned to class and told another female classmate. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office quickly arrested the two Black male students. Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell handled the investigation and his son, Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell, prosecuted the case. Khalid Muhammad was charged with lewd and lascivious/sex crime. And his co-defendant, Theodus Holloway was charged with lewd and lascivious/sex crime, false imprisonment and sexual battery. In 2013, both Black male youths were sentenced to 8 years in prison and when they are released from prison, they will be designated as sexual predators—must register as sex offenders. Circuit Judge Hankinson presided over their case.

In another case, it was reported that in September 2013, seventeen-year-old Robert Butler, a Black male, was murdered inside his home. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office investigated the murder. Despite numerous witnesses identifying the murderer and having recovered the murder weapon, it took months for the Leon County Sheriff’s Office to make an arrest. Eventually, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell  arrested Logan Murphy, a 16-year-old White male. State Attorney Willie Meggs assigned Sheriff Campbell’s son, Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell, to prosecute the case. Supposedly, Logan Murphy and Robert Butler were friends. Robert Butler’s mother stated that she had no idea that Logan Murphy had brought a gun into her home. Logan Murphy was charged with manslaughter. Logan Murphy was not charged with possession of a firearm by a juvenile delinquent. Logan Murphy was sentenced to up to three years in a juvenile detention facility and 15 years probation—Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell withheld adjudication—therefore, upon Logan Murphy’s release from juvenile, he will not be a convicted felon. Robert Butler’s family was disappointed over the light sentence that the murderer of their loved one received. Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford presided over this case.

As reported, in 2010, Conor McBride, a 19-year-old White male and his 19-year-old girlfriend, Ann Grosmaire, had been arguing for several hours in the home of Conor McBride’s parents—who were out of town. After having reached his boiling point, Mr. McBride retrieved his father’s shotgun, aimed it at the face of Ann Grosmaire—who was on the floor crying—and pulled the trigger. Ms. Grosmaire lost several of her fingers due to having put her hand up to try to block the shotgun blast to her face—the blast blew her brains out. State Attorney Willie Meggs assigned Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell to the case. Mr. McBride was charged with second degree murder. Despite having used a gun—Mr. McBride was not charged with possession of a firearm. According to the highly creditable news paper, The New York Times, who published an extensive article reporting on this case, ‘Can Forgiveness Play a Role in Criminal Justice’ it was reported that since the parents of Ms. Grosmaire did not want to see Mr. McBride spend the rest of his Life in prison, they researched and implemented Restorative Justice in the criminal case against their daughter’s murderer. Restorative Justice is a diversion program normally used in crimes involving property damage—not murder. Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell told Ms. Grosmaire’s mother that he could sentence Mr. McBride to as little as five years in prison on manslaughter. Unfortunately, at the time of Ms. Grosmaire’s parents seeking the State of Florida to spare Mr. McBride’s Life sentence—they did not know all of the details that led up to their beautiful daughter’s murder—like how Mr. McBride had previously been abusing her and that Mr. McBride had anger management problems. However, Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell was fully aware of the details surrounding Mr. McBride’s heartless murder of Ms. Grosmaire. And yet, and still Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell spoke of a manslaughter charge followed by a five year sentence. Before Mr. McBride’s trial, Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell and his dad, Sheriff Larry Campbell, along with Leon County Jail staffers made arrangements for Mr. McBride to have a contact visit with his parents in a private room—outside of the regular visiting area. Mr. McBride’s handcuffs were removed for the visit—this was a total breach of standard operating procedures. Restorative Justice—a diversion program for property crimes—such as vandalism—played a major role in Mr. McBride’s case. Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell gave Mr. McBride a choice of a sentence—20 years plus 10 years probation, or 25 years in prison. Naturally, Mr. McBride chose and received 20 years in prison.

In 2011, hours after his pregnant 20-year-old ex-girlfriend and her 17-year-old brother had been found murdered in their mother’s townhome, DeShon Thomas, a 17-year-old Black male, was being harassed by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Unbeknownst to this 17-year-old child, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office had obtained a court order to have AT&T track him via GPS within his cell phone. AT&T holds a major contract with the State of Florida. As DeShon Thomas was riding in the backseat of an SUV belonging to an acquaintance, Leon County Sheriff’s deputies initiated a traffic stop. There on the roadside, DeShon Thomas and his friends were ordered out of the vehicle. Deputies questioned DeShon Thomas about the murders, took photos of his shoes and tried to get him to go with them back to the sheriff’s office. DeShon declined.  This website documents the conspiracy that resulted in 17-year-old DeShon Thomas being charged with two counts of 1^st degree murder—including how they falsified documents, used a fake detective, withheld the victims autopsy reports, and slew of other violations of laws and schemes that it took in order to convict this Black child for crimes that he clearly did not commit. DeShon Thomas entered Not Guilty to all charges. After Thomas’ trial, Thomas entered a plea of no contest to possession of a firearm by a juvenile delinquent—this plea was just another ploy of the many malicious acts of an all White—corrupt judicial officials. Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson presided over DeShon Thomas’ case for nearly two and a half years. When DeShon Thomas’ mother complained to Governor Scott about Circuit Judge Hankinson’s violations of her son’s U.S. Constitutional Rights, Circuit Judge Hankinson, at DeShon Thomas’ next court hearing, Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford had replaced Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson. Both Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson and Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford were Assistant State Attorneys under State Attorney Willie Meggs before they were judges. Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford and Assistant State Attorney Jack Campbell were co-workers—working for State Attorney Willie Meggs at the same time.

DeShon Thomas’ mother had informed Governor Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi of the many violations of the law that was being committed by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, 2^nd Judicial Circuit State Attorney Willie Meggs along with Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell, Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson and DeShon Thomas’ legal defense attorneys—both private and public. DeShon Thomas’ mother spent nearly $30,000 on one private attorney before firing him for many reasons—including failing to disclose the victims’ autopsy reports—which would/could completely exonerate DeShon Thomas at the murderer. Each contact with Governor Scott and Attorney General Bondi yielded the same response to DeShon Thomas’ mother—unable to get involved in ongoing criminal cases. On December 31, 2013, DeShon Thomas was sent into Florida’s Prison System.

On April 27, 2015, it was reported that Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford is being investigated by the Judicial Qualifications Commission for a “pattern of misconduct.” DeShon Thomas’ had filed a complaint against Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford that fell dormant. In this recent report, none of the three counts of misconduct are directly related to DeShon Thomas’ case or any of the cases mentioned above. The three counts of misconduct are all in relation to different cases—before and after DeShon Thomas’ conviction. Which begs the question—why was Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford, a White woman, allowed to create a pattern of misconduct? In the charging documents, a defense attorney basically says that he feared that he had to go along with violation presented to him by Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford.

In December 2012, the Judicial Qualifications Commission charged Circuit Judge Judith Hawkins, a Black woman, with several violations—however, they were in relation to one act—not a “pattern of misconduct” involving several actions.

DeShon Thomas is INNOCENT! Logan Murphy and Conor McBride will live free again. Free to commit murder of a friend or a girlfriend–again. Khalid Muhammad and Theodus Holloway will spend the rest of their lives branded as sex offenders–while Logan Murphy will not have a criminal conviction of any kind. Officials within Tallahassee’s judicial process need to be investigated and/or removed from their positions. Their patterns and practices–discriminatory prosecution–have served more injustice than justice. In addition, their care for community safety is null and void—creating more victims—and victimizing victims more than once.

#FREEDESHONTHOMASNOW

Tallahassee, FL—THE STATE OF FEAR! THE STATE OF FEAR! THE STATE OF FEAR! Why is there so much FEAR in the State of Florida? Is it MONEY? Is it GREED? Or is it both—MONEY and GREED? (For the love of money is the root of all evil… 1 Timothy 6:10)

Before the shooting death of Eric Harris by Reserve Deputy Robert Bates out in Tulsa, Oklahoma, there was a wealthy man with a badge, a patrol car and possibly a gun, working as a detective on several criminal cases in Tallahassee, Florida. The wealthy man, Donald Odham, did not have the law enforcement credentials to work as a detective. But like the world is finding out through the news media in the Tulsa, Oklahoma case of Mr. Robert Bates, money can get you favor with the sheriff—especially when the sheriff is a good friend.

In late 2011, according to an anonymous source, Donald Odham is a good friend of Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell. Sheriff Campbell and Campbell’s son, Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell relied heavily on Don Odham’s court testimony to gain convictions in criminal cases that were controversial. According to documents by Leon County Sheriff’s Detectives, Mr. Odham was not honest about information that led to arrests, convictions and firings of certified sheriff’s deputies.

As it had been reported, in 2012, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell fired and brought over 13 criminal charges against 2011 Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year, Sergeant David Graham. According to a document, Sheriff Larry Campbell and his command staff learned that Sergeant Graham was the author of several anonymous letters that had been posted on the blog site, TallahasseeO.com. Graham, who was a 20 year veteran of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, was tainting Sheriff Campbell’s reputation. Sheriff Campbell was up for re-election in 2012. The letters gave readers of TallahasseeO an inside view of unethical actions and possible criminal acts by Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell, Campbell’s command staff, and others. In the letters it is clear that Don Odom (Odham) was not qualified to be a law enforcement officer. Mr. Odom is said to be a “disgrace to the badge…” Also, Odom (Odham) is identified as “just a wealthy liar”. Also, the letter states that of Captain Rob Swearingen, “if you express your opinion to much, you get moved…because you are a trouble maker and none team player.” Click on the link to read: The Leon County Sheriff’s Office Campbell’s Corrupt Department

https://thetallahasseeo.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/3rd-sheriff-letter.pdf

In December 2014, shortly after Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell passed away, Florida Governor Rick Scott appointed Captain Rob Swearingen as Interim Sheriff. Also, in December 2014, Captain Rob Swearingen’s twin brother, Rick Swearingen, who was the former Director of Capitol Police, was promoted as Commissioner for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (both offices are located in Tallahassee). Earlier this year, numerous news sources reported that former Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner, Gerald Bailey, who had served as FDLE Commissioner under two previous governors, was forced out of office by Governor Scott—an action that Scott denies.

Research conducted by this source (MAUL) learned that Florida Reserve Deputies must have all law enforcement credentials…serve as volunteers…are not allowed to work as detectives. In another letter sent to TallahasseeO, the letter tells how Odom went from reserve deputy to Violent Crimes Detective above full-time certified law enforcement officers. In addition, the letter states that Odom is “a proven liar”. Also, the letter tells how campaign business was handled; training documents were altered in order for individuals to qualify for training that they would not otherwise qualify. Lastly this letter tells of the officials who were made aware of these unethical acts, including Governor Scott’s Office.Click on the link to read: The Leon County Sheriff’s Office Unethical and Immoral Breading Ground

https://thetallahasseeo.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/second-sheriff-letter.pdf

In an additional letter, the letter tells how Internal Affairs (IA) was ordered to alter the IA to cover up for Don Odom having falsified a probable cause. In this letter, Odom is identified as the lead detective in a double homicide—further stating—“No telling what lies may be in that investigation.” Also, this letter tells of a Field Training Officer with the Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy who was arrested for DUI Involving Injuries—stating that the deputy did not cooperate in the investigation that was done by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office—yet the deputy was able to drive inmates back and forth to court. Lastly and one of the most disgusting cover ups is that of a deputy who was being investigated by the Tallahassee Police Department for sexual misconduct with a victim of a crime.  Click on the link to read: The Leon County Sheriff’s Office A Haven for Discrimination and Racism The Good Ole Boy System Alive and Well

https://thetallahasseeo.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/anonymous-letter-about-sheriff3.pdf

Florida tax payers elect officials who they believe will protect them—not sell them out to a wealthy friend. Law Enforcement Officers work hard to gain their certifications so that they can provide the communities that they are assigned to the best service possible. While the nation accepts that law enforcement officers are not perfect—the nation should not accept their local sheriff giving high level job positions to their rich volunteers—who want to “Play Cop” versus their hardworking full-time staff—who depend on tax payer dollars for their paychecks. Full-time certified Leon County Sheriff’s Deputies should hold loyalty “to protect and serve” to the tax payers—not to the sheriff and his command staff. Don Odom (Odham) was never an employee with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Odham had his own wealth as a businessman. Mr. Odham’s wealth could’ve been the foundation for Sheriff Campbell and his command staff to cover up Odham’s criminal and unethical acts, and propel him above other Leon County Sheriff’s Deputies/Detectives. Clearly, Mr. Odham’s loyalty was to whomever his money could influence.

Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and State Attorney Willie Meggs have/had held their political offices for decades. As the anonymous letters above stress—many, many years of fear!  “Fear of retaliation”—why should any deputy having been certified by the state be in FEAR of their job if/when they speak out against their superiors? How can any law enforcement officer perform his/her job appropriately if he/she is in constant FEAR? Imagine the life of a law enforcement officer– trying to perform his/her duties—in FEAR of both their superiors within the agency along with all of their judicial connections—and the criminals on the streets. Imagine living in ‘FEAR’ all day every day.

In November 2014, with the assistance of the Massachusetts based organization RepresentUs, the citizens of Tallahassee spoke loudly about the future in which how their local government will operate. The city of Tallahassee became the first city in the nation to pass an Anti-Corruption Act in U.S. history.

Although Sheriff Larry Campbell has passed away, his command staff is still in their positions. In January 2015, a few weeks after Governor Scott appointed Rob Swearingen as Interim Sheriff, Governor Scott appointed Mike Wood as Leon County Sheriff. Mike Wood, who was a major with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Campbell, had a 32 year career with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Wood had retired from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office around June 2014, having had participated in the State of Florida Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP), was reported near the time of his retirement, he had a nest egg of about $500,000. In addition, it was said that after six months into his retirement (as required after having participated in DROP) Sheriff Campbell had planned to bring Wood back to serve as undersheriff—in that position, Wood would get both his $120,000 annual salary and $90,000 a year in retirement payments. According to reports, Wood submitted his application to be appointed Leon County Sheriff, after Sheriff Campbell’s died of cancer on December 24, 2014.

Wood, who had a previous marijuana drug charge (possible felony), was appointed as Leon County Sheriff by Governor Rick Scott. (White privilege? Who’s going to tell the thousands of inmates that have been charged with marijuana possession that the Governor of Florida may one day appoint them to serve as county sheriff? *Black men with a misdemeanor drug charge—not gonna happen!)   

Despite the citizens of Tallahassee stepping up showing that they want corruption out of their government, Governor Scott appointing Wood as their sheriff—versus a Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy who has worked hard to both serve and abide by all of the laws—with no arrests—Governor Scott continued the same systemic corrupt plague that Leon County Deputies fear—political connections who support unethical and criminal acts of their superiors.

#FREEDESHONTHOMAS