Support Efrén and Our Efforts to Abolish JLWOP Sentences in Michigan

The following message was posted before we were made aware that the new bills seeking to abolish juvenile life without parole sentences in Michigan were re-introduced in the Michigan Senate. Click here to read our post about the introduction of the new bills.


Dear Friends,

We just learned that a legislator in Iowa has introduced new legislation to abolish juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) in that state. That makes six states that are currently working on this, which includes Michigan.

At a recent JLWOP workshop at the University of Michigan, State Representative Alma Wheeler Smith recommended that we contact other State Representatives who voted to oppose passage of legislation to abolish JLWOP sentences.

Representative Smith stated that we should work to get the other State Representatives who opposed the legislation and encourage them to change their votes. She also suggested that we attempt to learn why they opposed it, so we can do a better job of addressing their concerns when the bills are re-introduced.

Click here to view a condensed Michigan House Journal that shows how State Representatives voted for House Bills 4402-4405 which were aimed at abolishing JLWOP sentences. (This condensed document only includes the pages pertaining to House Bills 4402-4405, as the entire document was over 90 pages. Also, the nay voters that were not re-elected are crossed out in blue.)

While the bills passed the Michigan House they did not get voted on in the Michigan Senate. Representative Smith informed us that the bills are being reintroduced in the coming months so that there will be time for the State Senate to hold hearings and get the legislation passed this year.

In preparation for introduction of these very important bills we are asking you to please contact state legislators in the Michigan House and Senate and encourage them to support an end to the imposition of JLWOP sentences when the bills are introduced.

Please contact state legislators in your own districts from both the Michigan House and the Senate. Representative Smith suggested contacting each one who voted no, regardless of the district. She said they represent all of the people of Michigan, not just those in their districts.

At the end of this message there are links that will help you identify your state legislators and contact info for those that voted no. We ask that if you contact legislator(s) that you please let me know the names of those contacted, even a 'Copy To' or 'Forward' of your email is fine. (Click here to send me an email.) It would be very much appreciated. (Also, if anyone needs assistance constructing a letter to send to them, please feel free to ask.)

Thank you all so much for your continued support and for helping us advance our campaign to free Efrén. It is our prayer that he will soon receive the long overdue justice he deserves. Efrén is in good spirits and he continues to work each day writing people, educating others, and being productive.

As Efrén recently said, "I will never stop fueling the flame of hope with an unyielding desire for victory!"

Warm Regards and Continuing in the Struggle,

Helen

Locate State Senator: http://tinyurl.com/yu5wkv
Locate State Representative: http://tinyurl.com/22bgf9
University of Michigan JLWOP Event Blog Post: http://tinyurl.com/btnvmg

Link to message from Efrén supporting this effort: http://tinyurl.com/al9fmn

This post was updated 2/9/09 at 10:25 PM.

Efrén Family Members to Speak About His Case and Juvenile Life Without Parole (JLWOP) Sentences at University of Michigan's 23rd Annual MLK Symposium

Two family members of Efrén will be discussing his case and the subject of life without parole sentences for juveniles at the The University of Michigan's 23rd Annual MLK Symposium on Monday, January 19, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The panel discussion, "Only in America: Children Without Parole," will also include State Representative Alma Wheeler Smith and others.

This event takes place one day before the historic inauguration of Barack Obama as our next President. You are encouraged to invite friends and family to attend this very important symposium. Several of Efrén's supporters will be present as well. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Location

University of Michigan Union Pendleton Room
530 S. State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
View map: http://tinyurl.com/6uuxsz

Jack Ebling Interviews Efrén on WILS 1320 AM About City of Berkeley Peace and Justice Commission Condemning His Sentence as Human Rights Violation

Jack Ebling, WILS 1320 AM Lansing radio show host, interviewed Efrén this evening, Wednesday, January 7, 2008. They discussed the recent news that the City of Berkeley (California) Peace and Justice Commission passed a recommendation condemning Efrén's sentence as a human rights violation.

The Commission joined in solidarity with 192 nations of the world who have condemned the imposition of life without parole sentences on juveniles as a violation of several international treaties which the U.S. is a member party to.

The Commission will now submit a proposed resolution to the Berkeley City Council to consider adopting later this month. Similar proposed resolutions will be introduced in other municipalities across the nation as well.

Click the play button on the left side of the flash player below to listen to the interview.

Efrén Paredes, Jr. and Abolish Juvenile Life Without Parole (JLWOP) Links

The following is a list of links to information about the campaign to free Efrén Paredes, Jr. and abolish juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) sentences in the USA. You can share this list with others by directing them to the following link: http://tinyurl.com/EPJ360.

Efrén Paredes, Jr. Links
Web Site: www.4Efren.com
Efrén Blog: http://4Efren.blogspot.com
Facebook Page: http://tinyurl.com/8bpm7v
MySpace Page: www.myspace.com/4Efren
Petition: www.petitionspot.com/petitions/4Efren
Campaign Blog: http://Free-Efren.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/free_efren
Document Sharing Page: http://tinyurl.com/7nq4tf
Download Free Efrén Poster: http://tinyurl.com/77vbyf

Efrén Paredes, Jr. Group Links
Fairness for Efrén MySpace Group: http://groups.myspace.com/4Efren
Fairness for Efrén Facebook Group: http://tinyurl.com/8ms2qz

Contact the Governor to Support Efrén's Release
Contact Governor: http://tinyurl.com/55hu83

Juvenile Life Without Parole Links
Abolish JLWOP Blog: http://Abolish-JLWOP.blogspot.com
Abolish JLWOP Petition: www.petitionspot.com/petitions/jlwop

Juvenile Life Without Parole Group Links
Abolish JLWOP Google Group: http://tinyurl.com/7lyduw
Abolish JLWOP MySpace Group: http://groups.myspace.com/JLWOP
Abolish JLWOP Facebook Group: http://tinyurl.com/9qcgpg

Melissa Osborn Discusses Efrén's Public Hearing on Ebling and You (WILS 1320 AM)

Jack Ebling, WILS 1320 AM Lansing radio show host, interviewed Melissa Osborn, Co-Chair of the Peace Education Center, this evening, Monday, December 22, 2008.

Jack and Melissa discuss Efrén's December 4, 2008 public hearing during a large segment of the interview. Melissa offers her perspective about how the hearing went as someone who was present the entire time, highlights noteworthy points during the hearing, and shares conversation she and other members of the Lansing TIME Committee had with Efrén subsequent to the hearing.

Click the play button on the left side of the flash player below to listen to the interview.

Michigan Governor Asked to Free Man Convicted of Murder at 15

by David Eggert, Associated Press Writer
Blackman Township, Mich. December 18, 2008 (AP)

Efren Paredes Jr. wasn't old enough to drive when he was sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering his boss.

Now 35, he has an outside chance at freedom after proclaiming his innocence for almost two decades.

The possibility is a nightmare for the victim's family, who thought his killer would die behind bars. But it means hope for Paredes and supporters who say he was wrongfully convicted because of a rush to judgment, an unfair trial and slanted media coverage.

The decision rests with Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who under the state constitution can commute criminal sentences. She likely will give weight to whatever recommendation comes from the Michigan Parole Board, which recently held an emotional, nine-hour public hearing on Paredes' clemency request.

"I will not take responsibility for a crime I did not commit," Paredes told parole board members. "I never will do that even if it meant I could leave today."

Grocery store manager Rick Tetzlaff, 28, was shot to death March 8, 1989, during a robbery at Roger's Foodland in St. Joseph, in southwestern Michigan. Paredes was a 15-year-old part-time bagger at the store who had no criminal record before his arrest.

The hearing before the parole board drew more than 140 people. Somber police and prosecutors who worked the case, along with Tetzlaff's tearful family and friends, traveled hours to testify against Paredes' release.

A large group of supporters came out for Paredes, including family, a Lansing radio host, Michigan State University Latino students, peace activists and a private investigator who has helped free innocent people from prison.

While commutation proceedings have become more common in the governor's second term, few; if any; have gained as much attention.

More than just about Paredes' guilt of innocence, the case has become a referendum of sorts on whether convicts should get mandatory life sentences without parole for crimes committed before age 18. Paredes is among more than 300 juvenile lifers in Michigan's 49,000-inmate system.

Advocates see Paredes as an inspirational figure who made the best of prison by earning a GED, becoming a teacher's aide, writing poetry and transcribing textbooks into Braille. Paredes wants to start a Braille transcription business if he is freed.

"Please don't sacrifice this man's future to cover up the mistakes of the justice system," said Joyce Gouwens, who has served on a county juvenile justice task force.

Opponents see Paredes as a cold-blooded monster with a comfortable upbringing who would be a threat to society.

"I'm angry I have to be here," said Tina Tetzlaff, Rick's wife, who was pregnant with their second child when her husband was killed.

She acknowledged Paredes is making strides in prison but told the parole board her two sons grew up without their dad, afraid of the world and in need of psychological treatment. She said Paredes should serve his full sentence.

Prosecutors argued that mandatory life without parole for first-degree murder is Michigan's promise to victims' families, a trade-off for not having the death penalty.

Chairwoman Barbara Sampson said the parole board has no authority to exonerate Paredes. Instead, it will address questions typical in parole and clemency cases: Does the punishment fit the crime? Does a prisoner pose a risk to society? Has he or she made progress in prison?

Board members usually want to see remorse. But Paredes has repeatedly said he's innocent, leading an assistant attorney general and board members to spend much of the hearing probing evidence.

They heard competing versions of Tetzlaff's death.

Prosecutors said Paredes planned and executed a "thrill kill." He was the last worker to punch out before the after-hours shooting. A teen who served time for his role in the crime told jurors he picked up Paredes from the store after Paredes shot his boss and took $11,000 in cash and checks.

But Paredes' mother said he was home at the time of the murder, insisting she saw Tetzlaff drop off her son before returning to the store. Supporters said those responsible for the crime lied, cut deals and blamed Paredes to save themselves.

Paul Ciolino, a Chicago-based private investigator who was hired by Paredes' family and has helped free five men from Illinois' death row, called his case a "classic" wrongful conviction.

The trial ended 3 1/2 months after Paredes' arrest. Paredes said he had an inept lawyer who didn't investigate on his behalf or counter negative pretrial publicity coming from law enforcement.

The jury foreman was a co-worker of the victim's wife's aunt. Paredes alleged the foreman persuaded other jurors who initially voted 9-3 for acquittal. State and federal courts have upheld the conviction.

Paredes' backers want age to be a factor in the governor's decision. He was 16 when he was convicted.

"I could have turned out to be the person others have tried to make me out to be," Paredes said. "I'm asking for a second chance to reclaim my life."

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/US/WireStory?id=6486167&page=1

Juveniles Incarcerated for Natural Life Within Adult Prisons: Public Opinion in Michigan

Michigan is one of 19 states that allow children of any age to be tried and punished as adults. Trying youth as adults opened the door to imposing sentences of life without the possibility of parole, particularly in Michigan and 26 other states that have mandatory sentencing.

More than 300 youths have been sentenced to life without parole (LWOP) in Michigan and are serving these sentences in adult facilities. Michigan ranks third in the number of youth sentenced to LWOP and is second only to Louisiana in the rate of juveniles age 14-18 serving sentences of LWOP.

To determine public opinion on the issue, questions related to the topic were included in an annual statewide survey of those 18 years or older. The survey, administered by a public university, was conducted during the spring and summer of 2005.

We found that only 5 percent of residents supported Michigan’s current law regarding juveniles serving life without parole in adult facilities. The majority believed “blended” sentences that included both juvenile and adult sanctions were more acceptable. Moreover, Michigan citizens were strongly opposed to juveniles 16 and younger being housed with adults in correctional facilities and believed that juveniles were strong candidates for rehabilitation.

Michigan residents are unequivocal in their belief that youths should be held accountable for their violent crimes, but that it should be in a manner that recognizes the physiologic, psychological and emotional capabilities of the youths, understanding that these capabilities differ from that of adults. These findings support alternative sentencing arrangements and changes to Michigan’s current policies and legislation.

The above abstract is from the study conducted by Wayne State University School of Social Work. Click here to view the entire study and press release.