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Dear Friends,<br>
I am writing to update you on events that have transpired since April 7,
2004. Under federal law an inmate serving a life sentence in a federal
prison, like Veronza, is entitled to mandatory parole after serving
thirty years. Veronza served 30 years as of April 7th and yet the U.S.
Parole Commission unlawfully refused to permit his release as a mandatory
parolee. The three commissioners, who are political appointees of Bush
senior and junior, gave no reason for their actions.<br>
We have not been sitting idle at this latest attempt by the Parole
Commission to deny Veronza his right to parole and you are now in a
position to actively help out.<br>
Here is a summary of events occurring since that time:<br>
<b>ON THE LEGAL FRONT<br>
</b><u>1. Discretionary vs. Mandatory Parole</u>. The two are not the
same. Prior to serving 30 years, granting or denying parole for Veronza
was discretionary with the Commission. After 30 years of incarceration,
parole is mandatory unless prior to the expiration of the 30-year term
the Commission makes findings based on credible evidence that Veronza has
failed to adapt to the rules of the prison or is likely to commit crimes
if released on parole. No such findings were made by the Commission, nor
is there any evidence to support such findings.<br><br>
2.<u> Writ of Habeas Corpus</u>. Immediately after April 7th, a Writ of
Habeas Corpus challenging Veronza's illegal detention was filed in
Federal Court. To date, all pleadings have been filed and the matter is
pending before the presiding judge, Hon. William T. Hodges. Judge Hodges
is known to be a conservative, but fair-minded and principled jurist with
many years of experience in cases of this sort. We await his
decision.<br><br>
3.<u> Possible Future Hearing Before the Commission</u>. I will refrain
from going into all of the fine legal points involved in this case. (If
you are interested in knowing more, please contact me.) Suffice it to
say, if the Writ is denied, Veronza will have to face yet another hearing
before a hostile U.S. Parole Commission. Be reminded that although
Veronza has the highest eligibility rating for discretionary parole and
has been recommended for parole in the past, the National Parole
Commission has routinely denied him parole during his 30 years of
incarceration.<br><br>
4.<u> The Legal Defense Team</u>. A new legal defense team has been
assembled to obtain the earliest possible release for Veronza. Gilda
Sherrod-Ali of the Capitol Legal Group of Washington, D.C. assisted in
the preparation of the original writ of habeas corpus. Todd G. Scher, a
federal criminal law specialist whose offices are located in Miami Beach,
is now handling the habeas case in Florida. In the event the writ is
denied, a hearing on Veronza's right to mandatory parole will be held
before the U.S. Parole Commission. Preparation for this eventuality is
already underway by other members of the legal defense team including
Bryan Gaynor, Don Samson, Ron Sinoway and Alan Chasit. Mr. Chasit is a
highly-regarded expert in Federal Sentencing issues and is personally
appalled by the Commission's handling of Veronza's case. Bryan and Don,
in particular, have devoted an enormous amount of time and effort<i> pro
bono</i> (i.e. free) on Veronza's behalf. Some members of the legal
defense team are volunteering their services while others are being paid
by the Veronza Bowers Legal Defense Fund we have established for that
purpose.<br><br>
5.<u> Jerico Program</u>. Eifa Nwangaza, vice-chairperson of the Jericho:
an Amnesty Movement for Political Prisoners will be visiting Veronza
shortly to discuss how her organization can lend its expertise and
support to end his illegal detention. The Veronza Bowers Legal Defense
Fund is providing funding for Ms. Nwangaza efforts.<br><br>
6.<u> Bail Petition</u>. On the recommendation of his defense team,
Veronza has petitioned the federal court in Ocala to be released on bail
while his habeas proceeding is pending.<u> Any of you who have had
personal dealings with Veronza can help by writing letters to the court
on his behalf.</u> A sample letter and details about the bond hearing can
be downloaded from<u>
<a href="http://veronza.org/BailBond.html%A0" eudora="autourl">http://veronza.org/BailBond.html</a></u><a href="http://veronza.org/BailBond.html%A0" eudora="autourl">
</a> Paulette D'Auteuil is coordinating this effort and can be reached at 718-220-6004 <<a href="mailto:adragonlady@earthlink.net">adragonlady@earthlink.net</a>> if you need more information.<br><br>
<b>PUBLIC RELATIONS<br><br>
</b>1.<u> Web Site</u>. I have significantly reworked Veronza's web site to bring it up to date since April 7th. There is a consensus of opinion that now, if ever, is the time to "go public" with this travesty of justice. Now is the time to get the word out. Please refer people to Veronza's web site at:<br>
</font><font size=4><b><u><a href="http://www.veronza.org/" eudora="autourl">http</a></u><a href="http://www.veronza.org/" eudora="autourl">://www.Veronza.org<br>
</a></b></font><font size=3>2.<u> Public Involvement</u>. At this juncture, it seems quite clear the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, courts and other agencies of the Prison-Industrial Complex will arbitrarily ignore their own rules and federal law governing Veronza's right to mandatory parole unless there is significant involvement and overview by those members of the public who are concerned about his rights. For this reason we strongly encourage your continued involvement is all aspects of these proceedings by visiting the web site, sending letters of support to Veronza directly and to his attorney in connection with the pending bail hearing.<br><br>
3.<u> Veronica Conway</u>. Veronica is Veronza's daughter who was waiting at the prison gates on April 7th when the U.S. Parole Commission sent notice that he was not to be released on his mandatory parole date. Presently, her work is focused on alerting members of the progressive, black and human rights communities about her father's situation so their support can be solicited. She believes, as do we, that there are significant political as well as legal issues to this case. If you have any ideas along these lines, please get back to us.<br><br>
<b>LEGAL DEFENSE FUND<br><br>
</b>1.<u> Recent Activities</u>. As usual, I am very hesitant to appeal for more donations from those of you who receive this message. You have been incredibly generous and gracious in your support of Veronza over the years. In addition to paying expense of two of our attorneys, Alan Chasit and Eifa Nwangaza, the Defense Fund has incurred some significant costs flying family members to Florida around the time of Veronza's anticipated release on April 7th. The Fund has also helped pay for his certification as a massage therapist in the hope that he can eventually find employment in this field. As usual, Maynard "Garf" Garfield has done a fantastic job in administering the Fund in a judicious and evenhanded manner. He has asked to me to express some concern about the Fund's depletion.<br><br>
2.<u> Request for Assistance</u>. Primarily what we are asking for at this time is help in spreading the word about Veronza and actively resisting this travesty of justice. If, however, you are in a position to provide financial assistance at this time, you may do so by by sending a donation to the Veronza Bowers Legal Defense Fund at<br>
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<dd>Veronza Bowers, Jr. Legal Defense Fund<br><br>
<dd>PMB 201<br><br>
<dd>2614 N. Tamiami Trail<br><br>
<dd>Naples, FL 34103-4409<br><br>
<br>
</dl>While the events of April 7th were disheartening and discouraging to Veronza, his family and his many supporters, to say the least, the response of so many individuals since that time has buoyed our spirits. If there is any hope to salvage the ailing heart of democracy in America, the prescription for remedy is clearly written in this one man's case, the outcome of which remains largely in our very own hands.<br><br>
All the best,<br>
Monty<br>
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<font size=3 color="#FF0000">The Freedom Archives<br>
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