Month: June 2015

Tallahassee, FL—Tampa Bay Times journalist, Jeremy Wallace, wrote an article titled, ‘Governor and Cabinet cut prison sentences for two in rare clemency action,’ that was published on June 24, 2015. In the article, Mr. Wallace tells us that Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet agreed to reduce sentences for two men in prison. One of the men, Ryan Holle, was sentenced to life for a grisly murder of an 18-year-old girl in 2003; and the other man, Doug Garrity, was sentenced to ten years in prison for the DUI manslaughter of his friend in 2009.

The article quotes Governor Rick Scott, “Clemency is an opportunity to temper justice with mercy.” And another quote by Governor Rick Scott, “I believe that the purpose of commutations is to undo such obviously inequitable results—because Ryan Holle’s responsibility for Jessica’s death is clearly less than Miller’s, I believe his sentence should likewise be less.”

As the governor of Florida, Rick Scott plays a key role on the clemency board. Does Governor Scott believe that White men are the only men in Florida’s prisons who have received “obviously inequitable results” or who have contributed “clearly less than” others during the commission of a crime that resulted in murder? In Mr. Holle and Mr. Garrity’s cases, they were adults when they made bad decisions. Today there are Black male teenagers who are growing up in prison—not because they are guilty of having committed the crimes in that they were convicted—but because they were deliberately denied the right to due process by some of those who play key roles in Florida’s Judicial System.

(Note: This particular article is not a personal attack against Mr. Ryan Holle or Mr. Doug Garrity.)

On June 24, 2015, Governor Rick Scott stated and acted on his beliefs in both Mr. Holle and Mr. Garrity’s cases. And now that Governor Rick Scott has acted on what he “believes” in regards to “such obviously inequitable results”, Governor Rick Scott should act swiftly to use what he “believes” to rewrite the current laws—to change the same laws and sentencing guidelines that the judges used to sentence Mr. Holle and Mr. Garrity. What Governor Rick Scott “believes” should widely benefit other inmates in Florida’s prisons. Governor Rick Scott said, “Clemency is an opportunity to temper justice with mercy.” Does Governor Rick Scott know that clemency was designed to reduce punishment and prevent miscarriages of justice? Does Governor Rick Scott know how many inmates in Florida’s prisons have endured miscarriages of justice? Do Governor Rick Scott care to know how many prison inmates appeals per year have been handled in one way or the other by Attorney General Pam Bondi Office? Does Governor Rick Scott even care about Florida’s Judicial System?

Without a doubt, Black males are not the only males to have endured miscarriages of justice. Florida has a record number of inmate mortality. There have been so many inmates that have died in Florida’s prisons that some people refer to Florida’s prisons as “Death Camps.” So while Black and Brown male prison inmates are being tortured and/or murdered by corrections officers as they sit idle in Florida’s prisons waiting for their appeal to be processed, White male Florida prison inmates are being candidly granted clemency—mercy.

Governor Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi’s inaction for Black male prison inmates are signs that Florida’s Criminal Justice System is not interested in moving into the 21^st Century Criminal Justice System Reform. May God have mercy on their souls!

Tallahassee, FL—The State of Florida is widely known for its beautiful sandy beaches. However, there are no beaches located in Tallahassee, Florida. So now, where have leaders in Tallahassee put their heads?

Really!

What Floridian is ever surprised to hear about the elimination of more state worker positions by republican governors?

On any given workday, walk into a private office of a state worker who is near their time of retirement and listen to how they’ve gone from having a job title and job description that was once worth telling their family and friends about—to presently just having a job title that sounds worthy but a job description that is really nothing more than an administrative assistant or a sales person. No, this is not in reference to state workers who may have a high school diploma or a trade in administrative assistant duties. This is specifically in reference to highly educated nurses, engineers, electricians and technician who began their careers working proudly in their respective positions and have now been reduced to work as administrative assistants—“Paper Pushers” to provide administrative support to those companies and individual vendors, etc. whom their original jobs have been outsourced. If state workers do not have an office, they’re sure to have a work cubicle that may measures 5×5 because their private office (entire work section) may have been leased out to an outside company.

Some state workers move about between buildings like migrant workers. Some cubicles are constantly being reduced to pack more and more workers in a small work space. Some state workers may have gotten to the point where they don’t unpack simply because their work space may be leased out to the highest bidder or most favorable friend (INSIDER). So many state workers are too far into their hopes of retiring from their state job to turn back and restart their career in the private sector. For those workers who may have not been able to make the right connections in the political realm or who have simply chosen to not to “play the game,” it’s better for them to continue on in their administrative support role and pray that their not one of the hundreds—or thousands—to have their job position eliminated during a time when a republican governor needs to put more money in the pockets of his friends/donors in the private sector.

Surely, if one were to really look at a lot of the vendors who do business with the State of Florida, along with those who hold lucrative state contracts, they will see some very familiar names either out front or within the lines. Could this is be why state workers do not have anyone screaming to save their jobs?

Jeff Burlew, with the Tallahassee Democrat, reported, “Florida has the country’s lowest ratio of state employees to the population—108 per 10,000 residents.”

There used to be a time when state workers looked forward to their children going to an in-state university and then obtaining a career as a state worker—not anymore—especially for those families who live in Tallahassee. Unfortunately, for some of those who have long begun to maintain government money in their families—they simply “bleed the greed.” And greed has been the main factor to Tallahassee’s low upward mobility. There’s no wonder as to why according to a study released by the New York Times, “ranks Leon County (Tallahassee) as one of the worst places to grow up in the country.”

It is a fact that true leadership produces positive results. Tallahassee is the capitol city of Florida—it’s where Governor Rick Scott has been housed in a mansion just blocks away from the Leon County Courthouse within the 2^nd Judicial Circuit. Over the last year or two, many 2^nd Judicial Circuit Judges have had complaints filed against them with the Judicial Qualifications Commission. So far, one of those judges have been removed from the bench, while another one (Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford) has removed herself as she’s being investigated on three counts of misconduct in three separate court cases.

In January 2015, weeks after the death of Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell, Governor Rick Scott appointed Undersheriff Mike Wood as Leon County Sheriff. Mike Wood may have been a great pick for Sheriff Larry Campbell, after all, not many folks with a felony record can get a lucrative paying job as a deputy sheriff and retire 30 plus years later making three figures a year—and come back as undersheriff—let alone get appointed to be sheriff by the governor.

Corrupt judicial judges… A sheriff with a felony record…   Leon County ranking worst place to raise kids…Not good!

So now, considering that there are no beaches in Tallahassee—where are leaders putting their heads?

Tallahassee, FL—After an untimely loss of a loved one to due to a criminal act, the victims’ family and citizens expect all of those who play a role in bringing about justice to do so effectively.

For decades Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell, Second Judicial Circuit State Attorney Willie Meggs, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey created an “Evil Culture” within the offices in which they directed. In addition, they worked together to ensure that some of their closest employees were conditioned to carry out sinister acts upon innocent people. These sinister acts instilled fear in people and caused innocent people to be imprisoned.

At every level of these offices there are set guidelines/policies/laws that define how to proceed with evidence and the crucial roles for seeking justice. However, for decades, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell, Second Judicial Circuit State Attorney Willie Meggs, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey have ignored the set guidelines/policies/laws as defined, and set out on their own on how to seek justice—even ignoring creditable sources.

In early 2011, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell was called to investigate a double homicide where a 17-years-old boy and his 20-year-old sister, who was pregnant, were found murdered in their townhome. A team of full-time certified veteran detectives and deputies worked diligently to find significant evidence to charge 17-year-old, DeShon Thomas, with the murders. Although there was no evidence or witness statement that pointed to Mr. Thomas as being the murderer, law enforcement was acting on their own theory. When detectives were not able to find witnesses or significant evidence to charge Mr. Thomas, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell moved forward and had Mr. Thomas charged with the murders and then replaced the lead detective on the double murder case with his wealthy friend, Don Odham. Not only is Don Odham referred to as a “Disgrace with a badge” by other law enforcement officers, Don Odham was never an employee at the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Don Odham was nothing more than a wealthy businessman who had nothing else to do but make donations and hang around Sheriff Larry Campbell in order to get privileges that only his money could afford him. Don Odham was not a certified law enforcement officer. Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell tried to paint Don Odham as a volunteer, a “Reserve Deputy.” Even if Don Odham was a “Reserve Deputy” with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, a volunteer status does not allow Don Odham to perform the duties of a lead detective on a double homicide case or a crime scene detective. Mr Thomas has always maintained his innocence.

Prior to Mr. Thomas’ trial, a detective was forced to notarize documents in relation to Mr. Thomas’ case, undersigning that Don Odham was a Leon County Sheriff’s Detective. This was a blatant “Lie”. During Mr. Thomas’ trial, there were a few law enforcement officers who committed perjury in order to cover up for Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and Don Odham. Mr. Thomas, an innocent teenager, was convicted solely based on Sheriff Larry Campbell’s acts and “Evil Culture.”

Second Judicial State Attorney Willie Meggs has a history of turning his back on Tallahassee citizens. It was only through fear and intimidation as to why Willie Meggs continued to be re-elected. State Attorney Willie Meggs routinely assigned Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell’s son, Assistant State Attorney Jack Campbell as lead prosecutor on several criminal cases under the investigative jurisdiction of Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell. This father/son team instilled deep fear and intimidation not to just suspects and their families, but also to defense attorneys—both court appointed and private paid attorneys. Accepting documents from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office that contain false information and filing the documents in the court system and then having Chief Assistant Georgia Cappleman take the same false information before a grand jury in order to get an indictment against an innocent defendant shows State Attorney Willie Meggs’ “Evil Culture.”

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey and Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell worked together as agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement during their earlier careers in law enforcement. The longtime working relationship became a close friendship. As Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner, the positions call for the commissioner to be Florida’s top cop. FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey had the duty to set aside his friendship with Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and act accordingly. Instead, after a complaint had been filed with FDLE in regards to Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell allowing a volunteer to act outside of the scope of that set forth by policy, FDLE Commission Gerald Bailey refused to act.

Recently it was reported that a DNA analyst with FDLE concealed evidence in the quadruple murder of a mother, her 6-year-old twin daughters and her two-year-old son. The evidence, which had been sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Crime lab for testing, would have opened up the investigation to go beyond law enforcements theory of who they believed to have committed the murders. The one and only defendant in the quadruple murders is also the father of the two-year-old boy. The defendant, who is facing the death penalty, has maintained his innocence, as he has been sitting in the Leon County Jail for nearly four years awaiting trial.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation Crime lab receives several samples of evidence from FDLE for testing on a regular basis. It is a common practice for State Attorney Willie Meggs to ignore FDLE and FBI crime labs test results when the test results does not support their prosecution strategy.

Employees who work closely with Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell, Second Judicial Circuit State Attorney Willie Meggs and Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey are able to casually—almost nonchalantly—commit perjury, knowingly file court documents containing false information and discuss concealing evidence—because that was the way in which they were taught—maintaining their “Evil Culture.”

Tallahassee, FL—He used racist vulgar. He put his hands on a child. He prevented a mother from protecting her child. He refused a child access to an attorney. Again, he put his hands on a child. He locked a child and his mother in a room. He prevented the child and his mother from leaving. He put his hands on the child’s mother. He prevented the child from leaving. He escorted the child’s mother out of a government building, as he used racist vulgar. Again, he put his hands on a child. He is Don Odham. The child and mother are DeShon Thomas and DeShon’s mother.

These are just a few of the events that occurred between DeShon Thomas, his mother, and a man who introduced himself as, “Leon County Sheriff’s Detective Don Odham”. The time and place of events were during the early evening hours of January 28, 2011 leading into the early morning hours of January 29, 2011, right inside of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Neither Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell nor anyone of his staff members, including veteran detectives and deputies—stepped in to protect DeShon and/or his mother from the abuse of “Leon County Sheriff’s Detective Don Odham”, who now DeShon and his mother now know that Don Odham was not a Leon County Sheriff’s Detective. While it is unknown as to who all knew that Mr. Don Odham was not a certified law enforcement officer and was not an employee of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the truth of the matter is Mr. Odham was allowed to physically and emotionally abuse a child and the child’s mother—inside of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and nobody spoke up.

When DeShon’s mother informed Attorney General Pamela Jo Bondi about DeShon being violated, Attorney General Bondi…kicked the can.

Mr. Don Odham frisked and handcuffed DeShon, as DeShon and his mother were leaving Juvenile Court to address charges of Cultivation of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. DeShon plead not guilty. These two bogus charges had been sent to adult court. There was never a warrant issued for DeShon’s arrest—Mr. Don Odham acted on his own accord.  Sheriff Larry Campbell’s son, Jack Campbell, is an Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor, working closely (in the same office) with State Attorney Willie Meggs. Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell presented Mr. Don Odham and various notarized documents prepared by Mr. Odham to judges and filed the documents with the Leon County Clerk of Courts, identifying Mr. Odham as a “Leon County Sheriff’s Detective”. After DeShon had been arrested by Mr. Don Odham, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell, along with Mr. Don Odham, State Attorney Willie Meggs and Assistant State Attorney/ Prosecutor Jack Campbell, had DeShon charged with Two Counts of 1^st Degree Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Juvenile Delinquent. After DeShon’s arrest, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell assigned Mr. Don Odham as lead detective on the double homicide case in that which DeShon had been charged. Mr. Don Odham, alone, had replaced a woman that was lead detective, who was a certified veteran detective, and her team of certified veteran law enforcement officers. Mr. Don Odham was a wealthy friend of the Campbell’s—not a Reserve Deputy—just a wealthy friend who had been given more power than certified veteran law enforcement officers and was allowed to “Play Cop”.

Over three years of DeShon’s case proceedings revealed two conspiring circuit court judges, plenty of acts of prosecutorial misconduct, five different fearful defense attorneys (including the one private paid nearly $30,000 by DeShon’s mother), and several perjured testimonies (including the medical examiner). These atrocities is what it took to get DeShon, a child, convicted on Two Counts of 1^st Degree Murder and Solicitation to Commit 1^st Degree Murder. Clearly, this is a wrongful conviction. There is no physical evidence to connect DeShon to the murders. The two victims (brother and sister), who were DeShon’s friends, died of gunshot wounds. The female victim was pregnant, possibly with DeShon’s baby. No murder weapon was recovered. The victims’ autopsy reports were kept from public record and was never provided or reviewed by DeShon. No one from the Florida District Two Medical Examiner’s Office ever went to the crime scene to attend to the bodies or observe the crime scene. After the conviction, DeShon plead no contest to Possession of a Firearm by a Juvenile Delinquent (another conniving move by a fearful court appointed attorney with the Regional Counsel’s Office, Daren Shippy).

Thus far, DeShon’s mother has been unable to hire a private attorney to handle DeShon’s appeal. Mainly for two reasons—one, several attorneys that DeShon’s mother has spoken with and paid hundreds of dollars in consultation fees have proven to be either fearful of getting involved in DeShon’s case or sickened by the gross mishandling of a double murder case involving a child defendant. And two, The Florida Bar has already proven to protect lawyers who practice unethically. DeShon’s private paid defense attorney, Greg Cummings, violated several Rules of Professional conduct by definition—yet, DeShon’s mother’s complaint with the Florida bar was dismissed, and DeShon’s complaint with The Florida Bar, fell flat. Greg Cummings robbed DeShon and his mother–what’s to stop another attorney from doing the same and again, have the protection of The Florida Bar? DeShon’s mother is a single mother, who has another son, and is the caregiver for two relatives children (one with special needs whose mother is deceased). Greg Cummings never had the intentions of protecting DeShon’s constitutional rights. The Florida Bar’s failure to hold Greg Cummings accountable for violating their rules basically leaves the door wide open for other attorneys to rob their clients—this acceptance of violations puts attorneys lives at risk. Not everyone can/will withstand blatantly being robbed of nearly $30,000. Many people have lost their lives over less money.

Now that DeShon has been in prison for over a year and a half, DeShon and his family does not understand why the Office of Regional Counsel and Attorney General Pamela Jo Bondi continue to further protect a “Fake Cop” and not DeShon’s constitutional rights—as DeShon’s appeal’s process has begun? More importantly, why are Attorney General Pamela Jo Bondi and the Office of Regional Counsel NOT protecting the people? It is the citizens of Florida who are paying their salaries. Recently, it has been reported that the trial judge on DeShon’s case, Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford, has removed herself from the bench as she is being investigated for acts of misconduct by the Judicial Qualifications Commission–acts that she is alleged of committing before and after she abruptly replaced Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson, who had been presiding over DeShon’s case for nearly three years.

In this diabolical judicial mess, DeShon Thomas is not the only one being abused. Florida taxpayers are paying the cost to fund corruption. Florida taxpayers are purposely being put in danger by elected officials and other public servants. Florida taxpayers are being abused by elected officials. DeShon is INNOCENT! Therefore, there is a cold-blooded murderer luring in somebody’s neighborhood. At any given time, this murderer can attack tourists, a family visiting college campuses, or Florida’s own citizens. Many criminal behavioral analysts have long said, “That once a person murders one time, they are likely to murder again.”

Currently, Tallahassee has a record number of unsolved murders, including that of Florida State University Law Professor Dan Markel. Professor Dan Markel, a Canadian citizen, was murdered in the driveway of his home in Northeast Tallahassee—during the morning day light. Although the murder of Professor Dan Markel may have absolutely nothing to do with the double murders of that in which DeShon was charged, surely, the routine exhibit of law enforcement officials and judicial officials inability to conduct themselves ethically, have set the tone for those who commit murder to commit murder with boldness. In the double murder case in that which DeShon was charged, there was a lot of physical evidence left at the double murder scene. However, a Florida Department of Law Enforcement forensic analyst testified that he was only provided with DeShon’s DNA profile. The same FDLE analyst testified that DeShon’s DNA profile was a mixture of DNA found on a back door knob and the doors lock at the home of the victims (crime scene). Early on in the investigations, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office knew that DeShon once lived at the victims’ home. The likelihood of DeShon’s DNA being found at the victims’ residence was inevitable.

Bottom line, a “Fake Cop” who abused a child and his mother inside of a government building and a fearless cold-blooded murderer, are exclusively under the protection of Florida’s elected officials. Why?

#FREEDESHONTHOMASNOW

#BLACKLIVESMATTER

#WHOMURDEREDDANMARKEL

#ALLLIVESMATTER

Tallahassee, FL—It has been nearly four years since the mother of DeShon Thomas first contacted Governor Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office begging them to intervene in the judicial proceedings of her son, DeShon, due to judicial officials violating DeShon’s U.S. Constitutional Rights—both offices refused to intervene. As DeShon’s mother described her son’s nearly three year judicial process, “Pure evil! It was like being forced to watch your child repeatedly get molested by a group of adults, and the only reason you’re able to maintain your sanity is because of God’s grace and knowing that through it all your child is innocent.”

Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson, Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford and Circuit Judge Charles Dodson all preside over cases in Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit. These circuit judges “child molesters” played key roles in violating 17-year-old, DeShon Thomas’, Fifth Amendment Right—the right to due process. Normally, in judicial proceedings, the judge holds all of the power in the courtroom. However, in the case of State of Florida vs. DeShon Thomas, the prosecutor was telling both the judge and DeShon’s attorneys what to do—the prosecutor clearly had the power. DeShon’s mother paid Greg Cummings, a private attorney nearly $30,000 over sixteen months. Mr. Cummings never documented a deposition neither did he file any sufficient documents to build a case for DeShon. After Mr. Cummings was fired, DeShon’s case defaulted back to the court to assign an attorney. All of DeShon’s court appointed attorneys with both the Public Defender’s Office and the Office of Regional Conflict Counsel filed Motions to Withdraw. When DeShon’s mother offered to pay for a private investigator to assist on the case—her offer was ignored. No investigator was retained.DeShon’s case stemmed from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office double homicide case. DeShon plead not guilty.

In early 2011, DeShon was charged with two counts of 1^st  degree murder. The victims were DeShon’s 20-year-old, pregnant ex-girlfriend and her 17-year-old brother. While detectives with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office felt inclined to conduct Gunshot Residue Tests on the victims’ mother and 16-year-old brother, no GSR Testing was conducted on DeShon. DeShon’s and his mother had voluntarily walked into the Leon County Sheriff’s Office to share inform about a recent confrontation that the female victim had had with a close friend. The information turned out to be relevant, but because DeShon’s mother was upset when DeShon was denied access to an attorney, the woman who was involved in the confrontation was not pursued (the victim owed the woman and the woman’s mother $350 the confrontation came after the woman posted on Facebook that she had a “hit out for this bitch”). There were reports from a team of creditable full-time veteran law enforcement detectives/officers that did not implement DeShon as the murderer. However, instead of using reports from the team of creditable full-time veteran law enforcement detectives/officers to bring about probable cause, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and his son, Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell positioned their personal friend, Donald Odham, to “crack” the double murder case. Mr. Odham, a wealthy friend of the Campbell’s, was never a law enforcement officer, but had been given permission to carry out the responsibilities of a crime scene detective and was assigned as lead detective on this case. While it is unclear as to how many staffers with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office was aware of Mr. Odham—“Playing Cop,”—it was obvious that many creditable veteran law enforcement officers didn’t trust him—yet, they allowed him to molest DeShon inside of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell introduced Mr. Odham and documents prepared by Mr. Odham into DeShon’s judicial proceedings knowing that Mr. Odham was a fraud. Both Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson and Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford are former colleagues of Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell. They all have been deficiently groomed by Second Judicial Circuit State Attorney Willie Meggs.

Taxpayers fund all government positions, including those of judicial officials. Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell is forty-two-years-old. He has been working for State Attorney Willie Meggs since leaving law school—less than 20 years ago. Currently he’s collecting a six figure salary. There are no public school teachers—regardless of how many years they’ve been teaching school—that are collecting a six figure salary.

Seemingly, Florida’s plans for kids—are to overwhelm their school teachers with excessive goals to meet while giving them minimal pay; and to discourage students by forcing them to take tests that are designed for them to fail—which increases the possibility of them either committing a crime or becoming prey of unethical law enforcement predators. While on the other hand, paying judges and prosecutors six figure salaries to use fraudulent means in order to prosecute children as adults. Packing Florida’s prisons with children who have been denied their right to due process is a long way from the time when Florida’s children were proud to live in the same state as Mickey Mouse.

As experts say that child molesters often work in theme parks in order to have access to children—well, theme parks are not funded by taxpayers—Florida’s judicial officials are—and Florida’s taxpayers should know that they are funding child molesters.

#FREEDESHONTHOMASNOW

Tallahassee, FL—Before Leon County Sheriff’s Detective Don Odham with the Violent Crimes Unit was allowed to violate seventeen-year-old, DeShon Thomas’ Civil Rights inside of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Leon County Sheriff’s Detective Don Odham interacted one-on-one with the 14-year-old son of David Mays.

During the morning of October 11, 2010, David Mays, a former Chief Osceola for Florida State University, died in his home from a gunshot blast to the back of his head. According to reports, Joyce Strano, David Mays’ longtime girlfriend and mother of his 14-year-old son, stated that Mr. Mays shot himself during a struggle over a shotgun.  Ms. Strano informed deputies that she and Mr. Mays were having problems in their relationship and that Mr. Mays had been depressed. Ms. Strano stated she and their 14-year-old son struggled with Mr. Mays to get the shotgun out of his hands before the shotgun fired—killing Mr. Mays.

According to reports, David Mays’ brother informed deputies that he had just spoken to his brother, David, during the morning hours of October 11, 2010, and the two had made plans to meet later on that morning. Mr. Mays’ family does not believe that their loved one, David Mays, shot himself in the back of the head. Leon County Sheriff’s Detective Don Odham played a key role in the investigation—such as collecting evidence, interacting and communicating with Ms. Strano and Mr. Mays’ 14-year-old son. The Mays’ family believes that the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and State Attorney Willie Meggs’ Office mishandled the investigation/and grand jury presentation of the case.

In early 2011, nearly two weeks after Leon County Sheriff’s Detective Don Odham violated DeShon Thomas’ Civil Rights, Leon County Sheriff’s Detective Don Odham prepared a Summary of Offense for Two Counts of 1^st Degree Murder and Probable Cause—naming DeShon Thomas as the murderer of DeShon’s former girlfriend (who was pregnant) and her 17-year-old brother. Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell’s son, Assistant State Attorney/Prosecutor Jack Campbell, who works under State Attorney Willie Meggs, approved the Probable Cause and took it get further approval from Leon County Judge Nina Ashenafi-Richardson. DeShon pled not guilty.

Less than a week after Judge Ashenafi-Richardson issued an arrest warrant for DeShon, Leon County Sheriff’s Detective Don Odham became lead detective on the double murder case—replacing a female full-time certified veteran detective—and putting her and her team of veteran detectives and other full-time certified veteran deputies under his command.

In October 2013, during the 2011 double murder and 2012 solicitation to commit 1^st degree murder trial, in which DeShon Thomas was the defendant, DeShon Thomas and his family learned that Leon County Sheriff’s Detective Don Odham was never an employee with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Don Odham had been granted full authority to act as a Leon County Sheriff’s Detective with the Violent Crimes Unit. According to sources, Mr. Odham was/is a wealthy friend of the now deceased—Sheriff Larry Campbell. As DeShon Thomas and his family learned this vital information during DeShon’s trial (nearly 3 years later), it explained the pattern of corruption that plagued DeShon’s judicial process. So much so—that DeShon’s fourth court appointed attorney, Regional Counsel Daren Shippy, failed to defend DeShon on Mr. Don Odham and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office severe lack of creditability. There is more evidence to show that those officials involved in DeShon’s arrest are in fact criminals. There was no physical, material or circumstantial evidence against DeShon.  DeShon was convicted on Two Counts of 1^st Degree Murder and Solicitation to Commit 1^st Degree Murder because none of his defense attorneys was man enough to stand up to corruption—refusing to bring forth any physical evidence that could’ve exonerated DeShon three years earlier—soon after he was charged.

The Leon County Sheriff’s Office and State Attorney Willie Meggs’ Office misled grand juries in several cases by presenting Mr. Odham and any documentation that had been prepared by Mr. Odham and any documentation with the undersigning of “Leon County Sheriff’s Detective Don Odham”. And by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and State Attorney Willie Meggs’ Office misleading grand juries, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and State Attorney Willie Meggs’ Office knowingly left cold-blooded murders in the community. Cold-blooded murders to freely walk the streets that Tallahassee citizens and thousands of unsuspecting college students who come from all over the world to attend college walk as well.

At what other time would Mr. Mays’ 14-year-old son need to communicate extensively with a trained, creditable cop—other than minutes after witnessing his dad die from a shotgun blast to the back of his head? At what other time would 17-year-old, DeShon Thomas, need access to an attorney—other than after voluntarily walking into the Leon County Sheriff’s Office with his mother to provide a helpful statement—and then immediately go from having his voluntary interview turn into a full on interrogation—with search warrants being served on him for his persons and personal belongings. DeShon was denied access to his mother and he was denied access to an attorney. Mr. Odham, an ordinary citizen acting as a cop, was allowed to commit false imprisonment of a child inside of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.

It is outrageous that two young children, both dealing with two different, yet horrific circumstances, were allowed to be preyed upon by Mr. Don Odham a.k.a “Fake Cop”, with the support of two of the most powerful elected officials charged with protecting the citizens of Tallahassee—Leon County. Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and State Attorney Willie Meggs put Tallahassee citizens in danger while collecting money from taxpayers. Is this not a complete Breach of Trust?  Somebody must dismantle this “Blue Wall of Silence” and excessive prosecutorial misconduct. Mr. Odham has played a key role in many other cases. Several families have reached out to the Federal Bureau of Investigation seeking justice.

#FREEDESHONTHOMASNOW