Author: MAUL10

Tallahassee, FL—In June 2013, Second Judicial Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford, a former Assistant State Attorney for Second Judicial Circuit State Attorney Willie Meggs, abruptly began presiding over the 2011 double murder and the 2012 solicitation to commit 1^st degree murder case, of DeShon Thomas.

DeShon was seventeen-years-old when he was charged with Two Counts of First Degree Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Juvenile Delinquent in early 2011. DeShon plead Not Guilty. Second Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson, the preside judge, was a former Assistant State Attorney for Second Judicial Circuit State Attorney for Willie Meggs and a former United States Assistant Attorney for the Department of Justice for Florida’s Northern District. State Attorney Willie Meggs assigned Assistant State Attorney Jack Campbell to prosecute DeShon, whose case was in adult court. Assistant State Attorney/ Prosecutor Jack Campbell is the son of Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell. The investigation of the double murder case was under the jurisdiction of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.

DeShon’s pre-trial had been reset at least four times within sixteen months by motions filed by State Prosecutor Jack Campbell. y DeShon’s defense attorney, Greg Cummings never objected. Circuit Judge Hankinson granted the all of the Motions for Continuances. One of the Motions for Continuance filed by State Prosecutor Jack Campbell was due to a conflict with Don Odham’s vacation plans. In the motion, State Prosecutor Jack Campbell states six reasons for the motion, the first four states: (1) The case has been set for trial for June 11, 2012. (2) An essential witness is Don Odham formerly of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. (3) Detective Odham was the lead detective in the case and conducted numerous interviews including those with the defendant. Furthermore, he collected items of evidence. (4)Detective Odham has now left the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and has a scheduled trip with his extended family during the month of June. Extricating him from this trip will cause a significant cost to him and his family.

Don Odham did play a significant role in DeShon’s double murder case. Don Odham searched and collected evidence at the crime scene. Don Odham signed the Miranda Waiver of Trentin Ross. Don Odham wrote in a case detective report that Trentin Ross had voluntarily provided him with incriminating statements pointing to DeShon as having committed the murders.  Don Odham signed the Complaint that was notarized by Leon County Sheriff Detective Dawn Dennis. Don Odham prepared and filed a Summary of Offense for Two Counts of 1^st Degree Murder and Probable Cause—State Prosecutor Jack Campbell approved the probable cause obtained the signature of County Judge Nina Ashenafi-Richarcdson in finding probable cause and issue an Arrest Warrant. Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell replaced Leon County Sheriff Detective Melinda McBride and her team of veteran detectives with Don Odham—only after Detective McBride and other detectives began following up on other possible suspects—due to no significant statements or evidence pointing to DeShon as a suspect, let alone the murderer. Don Odham violated the civil rights of DeShon and his mother the day after the victims’ were found murdered. DeShon and his mother walked into the Leon County Sheriff’s Office to give a voluntary statement. Don Odham took what was an innocent act of civility by DeShon and his mother, and turned it into a chaotic experience, fueled by racism and arrogance. Don Odham denied DeShon access to an attorney, held both DeShon and his mother against their will by locking them in an interview room, and these are just a few of the things that he did. After DeShon was charged with the murders, DeShon’s mother was not surprised to see that Don Odham was the lone-wolf driving the murder charges. However, DeShon’s mother was surprised to hear that Don Odham was never an employee with Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Don Odham was never officially “Detective Odham” as Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and his son, State Prosecutor Jack Campbell had referred to him to the court, to the grand jury and to the public—the very people whom elected Larry Campbell to be their sheriff—to serve and protect them—Larry Campbell lied and deceived them. Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and his son, State Prosecutor Jack Campbell blatantly lied in order to have 17-year-old, DeShon Thomas, charged with Two Counts of 1^st Degree Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Juvenile Delinquent. Don Odham was/is a wealthy businessman who was merely a friend of the Campbell’s. Don Odham owed no truths to Florida taxpayers.

DeShon’s defense attorney, Greg Cummings, did not disclose information about Don Odham to DeShon or the court. Mr. Cummings was paid nearly $30,000 of the $50,000 that he’d charged to represent DeShon. During the sixteen months that Greg Cummings was on DeShon’s case, Greg Cummings did not take any depositions or do anything to build a defense for DeShon. Mr. Cummings refused to discuss the victims’ autopsy reports with DeShon. State Prosecutor Jack Campbell refused to allow the District Two Medical Examiner’s Office to make the victims’ autopsy report public record, they were kept confidential. In August 2012 Greg Cummings was fired. Immediately following Greg Cummings firing, State Attorney Willie Meggs announced that DeShon was being charged with Solicitation to Commit 1^st Degree Murder—the target was said to be Trentin Ross. The arrest warrant had been handed down by Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson. DeShon plead not guilty.

In April 2013, Regional Counsel Daren Shippy was court appointed as DeShon’s attorney. Daren Shippy immediately filed a Motion to Withdraw, but Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson denied the motion. After learning of Circuit Judge Hankinson’s previous acts of deception to the court and to DeShon, DeShon’s mother contacted Governor Rick Scott and State Attorney General Pam Bondi. Immediately, Circuit Judge Hankinson was replaced with Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford. State Prosecutor Jack Campbell and Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford had previously worked together as Assistant State Attorneys under State Attorney Willie Meggs.

During DeShon’s evidentiary hearing, State Prosecutor Jack Campbell told Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford that he had instructed State Attorney Investigator Jason Newlin to make the necessary arrangements to have DeShon charged with solicitation to commit 1^st degree murder. State Attorney Jack Campbell also ordered Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford as to how to conduct court proceedings. DeShon’s court appointed attorney, Regional Counsel Daren Shippy, who is a Circuit Director under Florida’s 1^st District Regional Counsel Jeffery E. Lewis, along with Lead Public Defender Nancy Daniels, stood idle and witnessed Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford accept instruction from State Prosecutor Jack Campbell.

Nearly three years after DeShon had been charged with the murders and possession of a firearm by a juvenile delinquent, and a little over a year after he’d been charged with solicitation to commit 1^st degree murder, DeShon went on trial. During his trial, Regional Counsel Daren Shippy and State Prosecutor Jack Campbell presented Don Odham to the jury as a Leon County Sheriff’s Detective. Regional Counsel Daren Shippy’s malicious act of betrayal to DeShon was disgusting. Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford allowed Don Odham’s testimony to be heard before the jury. Three Leon County Sheriff’s Detectives committed perjury to cover up Don Odham’s actions. There was no physical, circumstantial or material evidence against DeShon. On October 18, 2013, it was announced that the jury had convicted DeShon on Two Counts of 1^st Degree Murder and Solicitation to Commit 1^st Degree Murder. (In August 2013, Regional Counsel Daren Shippy had filed a Motion to Severe the Possession of a Firearm charge.)

On December 17, 2013, after DeShon had been instructed to do so by Regional Counsel Daren Shippy, DeShon entered a plea of No Contest to the Possession of a Firearm by a Juvenile Delinquent charge. Also, on December 17, 2013, Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford sentenced DeShon to Two Life Sentences plus 30 years. DeShon was sentenced to 10 years for the Possession of a Firearm by a Juvenile Delinquent—this sentence was set to run concurrent with the others.

The victims in the murder case were twenty-year-old, Laqecia Herring, and her brother, 17-year-old, Sterling Conner Jr. At the time of Laqecia’s murder, she was five months pregnant. Laqecia and DeShon had previously dated for six weeks but had ended their relationships three months prior to the murders. Although Laqecia had told DeShon and his mother that DeShon was the father of her unborn baby, after the murders, detectives learned that Laqecia’s boyfriend at the time of her death had believed that he was the father of Laqecia’s unborn baby. The boyfriend had previously dated Laqecia for over a year before the brief break in their relationship, at which time Laqecia had dated DeShon. There were numerous of suspects that had been named by the victims’ relatives—DeShon was not one of them. Greg Cummings told both DeShon and his mother that had Laqecia been a week or two further into her pregnancy, DeShon would’ve been charged with the murder of her unborn baby (Three Counts of 1^st Degree Murder). Also, if DeShon had been eighteen-years-old when the murders occurred, DeShon would’ve been facing Florida’s Death Penalty. Greg Cummings told DeShon and his mother these horrible things and then Greg Cummings preyed on DeShon and his mother (a single mother with four kids). Greg Cummings collected her money—knowing that DeShon had been falsely arrested and knowing that State Prosecutor Jack Campbell was building a double murder case and a possession of a firearm by a juvenile delinquent case against DeShon on the use of a “Fake Cop” and a bunch of lies and liars. And all of the court-appointed attorneys that followed Greg Cummings continued to play the same games.

In February 2012, Henry Segura’s attorney, Chuck Hobbs, filed a motion with the court arguing that State Prosecutor Jack Campbell be dismissed as lead prosecutor in the capital case of his client. Mr. Hobbs’ client, Henry Segura, was charged in the 2010 of the brutal quadruple murder of a twenty-seven year-old mother and her three children. Mr. Hobbs, along with other Tallahassee defense attorneys, believed it to be prejudice for State Attorney Willie Meggs to assign Assistant State Attorney Jack Campbell to prosecute cases where the defendants were being held in the Leon County Jail—the jail in which Assistant State Attorney Jack Campbell’s dad, Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell, was the overseer. (State Attorney Willie Meggs represents six counties.) At the time of Mr. Hobbs filing the motion, Circuit Judge Mark E. Walker was presiding over Mr. Segura’s case. Later that same year, in December, Circuit Judge Mark E. Walker was sworn in as a Federal Judge for United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida. State Prosecutor Jack Campbell was not removed from Mr. Segura’s case.

More than two years later, in March 2014, Mr. Hobbs filed a motion asking the court to collect and analyze DNA from a possible suspect. The presiding judge on the case was Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford. Once again, Circuit Judge Fulford and State Prosecutor Jack Campbell were working together—this time on a Death Penalty case.

A year later, in April 2015, it was announced that Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford was under investigation by the Judicial Qualifications Commission for three counts of misconduct. At least one of the counts of misconduct occurred prior to Circuit Judge Fulford having abruptly replaced Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson in the case against 17-year-old, DeShon Thomas.

On or about June 12, 2015, two months after Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford fell under investigation, Mr. Segura’s attorney, Mr. Hobbs, learned that a crime lab analyst with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), was ordered by her supervisor to disregard DNA evidence findings by the FBI in regards to DNA found at the crime scene which was a partial match to a convict already in the database. Mr. Segura’s trial, which is now being presided over by Circuit Judge Terry Lewis, has once again been postponed. Mr. Segura has been in the Leon County Jail for nearly four years awaiting trial.

Two years ago, in April 2013, State Prosecutor Jack Campbell and Defense Attorney Greg Cummings argued the case of Elijah James. In 2010, Elijah James was charged with murdering his ex-girlfriend. Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell oversaw the murder investigation. Circuit Judge James Hankinson presided over the case. Greg Cummings, who is a private attorney, is also registered with the State of Florida’s Department of General Counsel as a Conflict Attorney. Greg Cummings was court-appointed to Mr. James’ case. Mr. James’ case was considered to be a high profile case because Mr. James’ case was the first murder case in Tallahassee to be tried without a body.

According to court records, Greg Cummings was court appointed to Mr. Elijah James’ case in March 2011. Soon thereafter, Greg Cummings contacted DeShon’s mother begging her to hire him (in which was just one of many previous phone calls). Needless to say DeShon’s mother hired Greg Cummings. While Greg Cummings, along with State Prosecutor Jack Campbell and Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson were showing dotted I’s and crossed T’s in Mr. James’ case, they were performing like the Three Stooges in DeShon Thomas’ case. Reports have stated that if detectives would’ve located the body of Mr. James’ ex-girlfriend, then Mr. James’ case would’ve easily been a Death Penalty case—with or without physical evidence. Subsequently, Mr. James was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

The judicial structure in Tallahassee (Leon County) is terribly flawed. When a judge who has the power to sentence people to Life in Prison or to the Death Penalty (Florida’s Death Row) is being questioned about having shown a “Pattern of Misconduct”, that is highly disturbing. There’s no justice for the victims’ families or communities in Florida. We have all witnessed that wrongful convictions and innocent people being put to death only adds pain to the victims’ families, as well as the families of the wrongful convicted. Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford began to show misconduct before she was assigned to preside over DeShon Thomas’ cases and Henry Segura’s case. Now, what was the purpose of recycling this already ill-minded judge?

#FREEDESHONTHOMASNOW

#FLORIDAINNOCENTCHILDREN

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

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