More Bad News For Don Siegelman [View all]

[red dog 1]

October 16, 2014

Today I received this e-mail from Former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman, who is still in prison for a crime he did not commit, a victim of Karl Rove's machinations.


Dear Friends:

I'm sorry to tell you that the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has postponed my oral argument yet again...Now it will be "after January"
My lawyers responded to this news with a motion to have me released on bond because if we win our appeal, I will have spent time in prison for charges that will have been reversed.

I regret to hear, as I know you do, that my trial judge has got himself into some trouble.
He was arrested when his wife, Kelli, told the police who were responding to her 911 call that she was beaten, kicked, and dragged around by her hair in their ritzy Atlanta hotel room.
(His first wife, Lisa, made such allegations in her complaint for divorce)

The accusations of substance abuse, domestic abuse, and promiscuous behavior in his courtroom do not give me pleasure..This is something no one should take pleasure from.
Especially the reports of Domestic Violence...DV hurts and it kills.
My concern with the issue of Domestic Violence is not new.
Because Domestic Violence is so destructive, I did a lot as Attorney General, Lt. Governor, and Governor, to prevent domestic violence and to punish those who commit such acts.
I would like to tell you a frustrating and painful story about a domestic violence victim,
Rhonda Hutto, that illustrates how dangerous DV can be.

I first met Rhonda when I was having a hearing on Victims' Rights in Huntsville, Alabama.
Mrs. Hutto came to my hearing and bravely stood and told her story.
She was scared and there were tears...She had done everything right, seeking protective orders, divorcing her abusive husband, moving out of state, changing her name.
To everyone's horror, about a month after Rhonda gave her testimony, Rhonda's ex-husband found her and killed her.
When I appointed a Commission on Victims' Rights, I devoted it to the frustrating and painful memory of Rhonda Hutto.

We should all pray for peace and justice, pray for victims and bullies, and demand appropriate punishment for those who commit these cowardly acts.
Despite my focus and all my efforts on Domestic Violence in my political career, clearly, there is still a lot more work to do.

With deep appreciation, I am, your friend, and so glad you're mine.

Don

Governor of Alabama, 1999-2003
Elected Twice, Inaugurated Once
Lt. Governor, 1995-1999
Secretary of State, 1979-1987
Federal Prisoner 'till June, 2018...Final discharge, 2021 (With your help, this will not stand)

Prisoner # 24775-001
FPC PO Box 5010
Oakdale, LA. 71463

For more information on the Don Siegelman Case,
or to sign the Change.org Petition To President Obama To Pardon Don Siegelman:
http://free-don.org