Free an Innocent Man.Com officially launched ...

[Stormsfury]

This website was created to pursue the reversal of a travesty of justice that occurred on June 16th, 2004 when two innocent people were convicted of crimes that they did not commit ...

http://www.freeaninnocentman.com/

I will continue to maintain this site until justice is finally done ...

SF

[Hurricanehink]

Good luck to you. Our jury system has a major flaw: it doesn't work! Can't they appeal or anything if there isn't credible evidence?

[Lindaloo]

They both need better lawyers.

[Josephine96]

Good luck with the site

[Stormsfury]

Good luck to you. Our jury system has a major flaw: it doesn't work! Can't they appeal or anything if there isn't credible evidence?

The appeals have been filed earlier this past week ... and they are fighting this tooth and nail ...

They both need better lawyers.

Actually, I think they had good lawyers. The problem lies with the system, Dorchester County, the special prosecutor, Walter Bailey, and the jury. The system itself is extremely flawed ...

Dorchester County --- for many reasons ...

1) They had their minds up from Day 1 of who they wanted to go after INSTEAD of looking for the real murderer.
2) SLED and Dorchester County officials bungled the investigation badly ... which included a former lead investigator for SLED busted for soliciting a prostitute (or escort as he called it), evidence being cross-contaminated by investigators, including one that took evidence to his home, etc. Juror #10's wife/fiance was in labor and they asked if he wanted to step down as a juror. He said no, and within one hour or so afterwards, a guilty verdict came down (an obvious rushed decision).
3) Walter Bailey objected at EVERYTHING that was introduced by defense teams, and Judge Deadra Jefferson was basically eating out of Walter Bailey's hands. Furthermore, Bryan's lawyer requested for a change of venue due to all of the media coverage in the area ... that was denied.

Court TV experts and reporters were totally shocked that a guilty verdict came down. According to Cindy Leiendecker (Mark Leiendecker's wife) and also present in the courtroom (lawyer also), the Court TV reporter told her that if the jury came out with a guilty verdict, he would drop his jaw.

Dorchester County needed a scapegoat, and Bryan and Eric were the victims. They gave a false closure to the Surell family by convicting two innocent men, and furthermore, it has conspiracy written all over it. Dorchester County's level of incompetence reached a level of biblical proprotions. Plain and simple.

[coriolis]

That's really sad, Mike. Sounds like a kangaroo court. I hope they succeed in their appeals.

[Lindaloo]

Good point Mike. They have grounds for appeal because of the circumstantial evidence. BUT, nothing will change if their lawyers do not put in for a motion of change of venue. Which means the new trial (they will get it) should be moved far away from Dorchester County. In a circumstantial evidence case it is up to the prosecution to prove without a shadow of a doubt. IMO, if their attorneys were good they would have countered everything and made the prosecutor look bad. I was not there, but I have seen it many, many times.


The man who killed my police officer best friend filed a motion for change of venue. The judge said no. He will go on trial here in Jackson County.