As a New Year Approaches, Justice and Freedom are Demanded
On behalf of my family and myself, I would like to thank all of you (supporters), for your continued support in my nightmare. Like all innocent prisoners, I pray that this will be my last year in prison. What’s normally not included when speaking about wrongful convictions is, the mental, physical and emotional impact our ordeals have on our families, friends and community. Words can’t describe the pain and constant mental anguish.
Things look promising for me as I await a court date, hopefully within the next 45 days. When the Third Circuit Court of Appeals Vacated my false conviction I was released. Within five (5) months of my release, after a successful appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court by the prosecution, my conviction was Reinstated. I say this to say, it has been over three (3) years since I’ve been back in prison, my Actual Innocence and Prosecution Misconduct Appeal have yet to be heard…
All of the New Evidence that my Legal Team have uncovered shows my complete innocence and Police/Prosecution Misconduct. That’s not including one hundred (100) plus missing pages from my Case Discovery File, that the prosecution in my case turned over to my attorneys last year. These missing pages was intentionally withheld for over 18yrs. By law I was supposed to be furnished with my whole Case Discovery File before my trial to mount my defense. The reason for only pieces of my Case Discovery being turned over to me before my trial–My innocence were in them. The prosecution knew I was innocent from day one. Once they partially turned this information, over, they blamed me for not finding this evidence they hid in their files sooner. To this day, they still have not turned over ALL of my Case Discovery…
Not only do I have to continue to maintain mentally as I continue to pursue my freedom and total vindication. I have to watch my family from afar in turmoil and suffering. Being from New York and in prison in Pennsylvania is like being on another planet. Not saying if I was in New York I would be comfortable, I will NEVER be comfortable in prison for a crime I never committed.
Most of my visits come from New York. In my situation, it makes my day when I’m called for a visit. Why! When I’m on a visit, whether it’s my family, friends, attorneys or advocates. For that time period, mentally I escape the HELL I endure 24hrs a day being innocent in prison. But, it’s always very shortly lived. Before I enter the visiting room, I’m stripped naked and a guard searches me like an animal. This same process takes place after I exit the visit. It’s very degrading. When people say “I can only imagine what it’s like,” I quickly say you have no idea.
On a positive note, I’m a month away from graduating my Clark’s Fork Lifting Trade. After completion, I would be licensed to drive and operate a variety of Fork Lift Trucks. Even though mentally I’m tired at times due to this roller coaster ride I’ve been on for the last 20 yrs, mentally and physically I’m in a good place. Thanks for your letters, cards, photos and etc. You give me the energy boost needed at times when my day is going horrible. For those who post my articles and write about my injustice, thanks — please continue to educate society.
Within the next couple of months, if justice is served, I will be a free man again– once and for all. I will continue my fight and keep you posted. I encourage everyone to post my website and share my articles on your networks to bring attention to my nightmare. For those who can make a financial donation, it’s needed and anything will be highly appreciated. Your donations pay for stamps, envelopes, writing supplies, phone calls, and travel costs for my family to visit me — these things are a critical lifeline of support for me. You can make a donation through my Paypalsite, or donate to my commissary directly through JPAY.
Once again, I thank everyone in this country and the MANY in other countries that stands with me against injustice. Until next time or I hear from you, everyone take care.
“The Pain Within”
Free The Innocent
Lorenzo ‘Cat’ Johnson
PS – Here are a few of my recent articles for the Huffington Post:
Overturned: After 25 years, John Hincapie Is Freed
Meet the Prosecutor Fighting to Overturn Wrongful Convictions
Wrongful Convictions Then and Now: The Tragic Case of George Stinney, Jr.
Free Lorenzo Johnson 