Hello my name is David Annarelli. I’m a contributing writer for the prisonjournalismproject.org.
Virginia has the worst rate of wrongful convictions in the whole of the nation. 20%, or approximately 4800 captives, according to the most conservative surveys, Pew for example. This is not new news, but as it’s a lingering and constantly growing problem, questions must be asked. Such heinous injustice must be addressed post haste, as well as the root of the problem.
The root of the problem is a statewide corruption seated deep in the courts, but even more so in the offices of Virginia’s Commonwealth attorneys. Allegations of corruption and wrongdoing have been levied against the majority of Virginia’s Commonwealth attorneys, known statewide colloquially as the “good old boys network.” They have weaponized the law to be self serving, and have equally weaponized citizens’ lack of knowledge and understanding of the law, which in Virginia is archaic, muddy, and contradictory on the best of days.
People such as Charles Phillips Ferguson, of Suffolk, who became an equally questionable judge and is now a member of the recently exposed and under fire Virginia Pardon and Parole Board, Nicole Belote of Norfolk, Elizabeth K. Dillon, a federal judge in Virginia’s Western District, Michael Dushay [sp?] of Lynchburg, and the infamous William Eric Branscom of Floyd County, all of whom have been ousted by victims and colleagues alike, along with Norman Thomas, as well. As expected, you’ll find this climbing all the way up to the Virginia AG, Jason Miyares’ office, and with his countenance.
Thanks to the documented misconduct of Norman Thomas of Norfolk, and Mr. Jermaine Doss being illegally detained — Mr. Doss is being illegally detained for crimes that another person committed and pled guilty to. He is guilty also, being held for, he is actually also being held for a crime he was never charged or tried for, along with a crime for which the statutory time allowed to pursue under Virginia Code 19.2-243 has lapsed. Other victims of Virginia’s injustice have since been granted relief in this instance by the courts. Mr. Jermaine Doss has not, and has had 27 years of his life unjustly taken from him. What is worse is the lengths Virginia goes to to prevent relief for those affected, simply to avoid exposure and embarrassment.
An immediate intervention and statewide shakeup is desperately needed and investigations are being asked for at all corners. Thank you very much. My name is David Annarelli, contributor to Prison Journalism Project. You can find me at davidannarelli.wordpress.org, as well as all over the internet, just Google my name. Thank you.
These commentaries are recorded by Prison Radio.
