Convicted on faked evidence, inmate says

Editor:

People of West Virginia wonder why the prison system is so overcrowded. Allow me to explain. I was sentenced to life with mercy in 1984. I was under the old sentence, which meant that I was to do 10 years and then be eligible for parole. I recently saw the parole board again. This was my 16th attempt to make parole. Sixteen times up and 16 denials. I have been in prison for 30 years, and I have never had the chance for parole.

I even had my case back in court because the West Virginia crime lab's serology division fabricated evidence. They used fabricated evidence to convict me, yet the parole board will not even acknowledge this. Neither will they consider this and grant me parole. I am one of many that have life with mercy, yet the parole board continues to deny us parole. If an uneducated convict can see the main problem of overcrowding, why can the elected officials not? Or perhaps they do but we are a cash cow to the same elected officials.

I am now 61 years old, and even after completing numerous programs, the parole board retries me every time I go before them. I am not the same person that I was 30 years ago. The parole board uses public sentiment against me. I am not even paroling to the area that the crime was committed in. Neither is anyone writing to the parole board against me. The parole board assumes that the public does not want me out. Of course, we all know what happens when someone assumes something.

I have tried numerous times to retain a lawyer, but it seems as if they are afraid to challenge the state. Plus I am indigent and cannot afford one, and pro bono is almost unheard of in these matters.

I and others need help from someone. Those of us who continue to get resentenced by the parole board need help.

The jury recommended mercy. Why won't the parole board show a little of that mercy?

Robert C. Shrout

Moundsville

Palestinians still being denied rights

Editor:

Once again The Charleston Gazette and its editorial board have stood firm in its condemnation of Israeli practice and apartheid imposed on Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Thank God there are still people of good will who are willing to stand firm for the human and civil rights of a people who, for no fault of their own, are being treated as second-class citizens in the land in which they have lived for centuries.

In the same paper and on the same day, an interesting article appeared about "Homeland" actor Mandy Patinkin making a small push for peace in Israel and a two-state solution for the Arab Palestinians with Israel.

For over half a century, Israel has denied Palestinians their rights, and the present Israeli government, under the leadership of "King" Benjamin Netanyahu, keeps building illegal Jewish settlements on Palestinian land, building highways for Jews only, cutting off water and electricity to Arabs and building walls to divide Palestinians from entering Jewish cities and access to Christian and Muslim holy sites.

All American presidents and administrations as well as the United Nations and world governments have condemned these practices, but Israel continues its apartheid policies under the pretext of security.

Israel, with U.S. support, could crush the entire Middle East if it so chooses with its superior military. What does it have to fear? Israel was not happy with President Arafat and is not happy with President Abbas and will not be happy until they are able to name their own Palestinian president.

Where is the justice here? Over 100 nations in the world have recognized Palestine as a state and it is high time that Israel and the United States do likewise, so that the Palestinian people will be free to exercise their human and civil rights. May it happen in our lifetime!

The Rev. George S. Corey

Charleston