Sunday, December 24, 2006

Is it possible for Michiganders to continue to allow Berrien County to imprison innocents at the highest rate in the state?

Similar to US alcohol prohibition of 1920, current drug prohibition legislation breeds police corruption and abuse. In Berrien County, this affects corrupt judges to the corruption in the Benton Harbor police dept. headed up by chief Al Mingo, all the way down to officer Collins.

One of America's worst cases of drug-related police corruption happened in the State of Michigan and the city of Benton Harbor. Benton Harbor police officer Collins has sucessfully planted drugs on nine different people I know of, all of whom have ended up with harsh sentences.

Alfonso Gibbs, on December 15, 2006, was convicted of drug dealing. The drugs were planted in the back seat of the patrol car by officer Collins. The defendant court-appointed attorney Brian Berger refused to subpeona witnesses to show officer Collins history or track record of planting drugs. Judge Schoffield, pro-prosecutor, refused to allow defendant Gibbs an opportunity to find a new attorney. So Gibbs had no choice but to defend himself. It was a circus. Several credible witnesses stated under oath that officer Collins had released Mr. Gibbs. Mr. Gibbs went into the home of a friend, Ms. Washington, and when he walked back outside 20 minutes later, he was arrested. Officer Collins stated Mr. Gibbs was never released, and never went into Ms. Washington's home. Five witnesses said he did. Officer Collins lied under oath. Mr. Gibbs was convicted by an all white jury.

I am asking everyone to write/call the Attorney Grievance Commission and request an investigation into attorney Brian Berger # P34678 and the Berrien County court-appointed system. Mr. Alfonso Gibbs and Mr. Shannon McKinney are just two of the many victims serving time in Berrien County jail for crimes that were never committed.

Attorney Grievance Commission
243 W. Congress St.
Detroit, MI 48226
313-961-6585

Remember, everyone who works in that office is OUR public servant. The people of Benton Harbor are fighting for their lives. It sounds dramatic, but it couldn't be more true.

Rev. Pinkney
269-925-0001

Everyone's support is needed at an important hearing on several constitutional issues on January 25, 2007 at 9am at the Berrien County Courthouse, 811 Port Street in St. Joseph, Michigan.
Whether or not to drop charges against me will be decided.

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Does anyone know anyone like Rev. Pinkney?

Do you know of many African-American adults who stood in protest of the worst racism in any courthouse in Michigan every Tuesday, rain or blizzarding snow for FIVE years? With judges who drink on the job? Where judges work closely with cops, prosecutors, and defense attorneys in order to convict as many as possible (many innocent)?

Can Michigan come forward and spend ONE morning a year to say WE DONOT SUPPORT THE RACIST ACTIONS OF THIS COURTHOUSE WHICH RUINS LIVES EVERYDAY WITH A POUND OF A GAVEL?
And NOBODY reports on? (except the People's Tribune)

Read on a bit for a brief summation of where Pinkney's at with his "trial", and for the date we're needed to be there (in bold). Please plan to attend. Bring everyone you know. We may not be out there on the front lines of protest, but we sure can support those who are.

* * * *

1. On November 3, 2006, Reverend Edward Pinkney made a motion for a continuance in his re-trial for "voter fraud." (The first trial ended in a hung jury.) These charges are an outcome of his leadership in the Benton Harbor, Michigan democracy struggle against the take over of the town by Whirlpool Corporation and the developers. Rev. Pinkney's motion was heard before Judge Alfred Butzbaugh, a known corrupt judge who fought to convict him.

2. The Court ordered the transcript of Rev. Pinkney's first trial, but at the expense of Rev. Pinkney who had to put up his home as collateral. It is unknown when the transcript will be available for his counsel, Hugo Davis, who moved for a continuance of the trial date of January 9, 2007 to March 13, 2007 because the court failed to produce the transcript in a timely matter. The motion was granted.

3. On December 12, 2006, Rev. Pinkney's attorney filed a motion for a Direct Verdict to Squash the Information and to dismiss counts three to five of his charges. These counts are in violation of Rev. Pinkney's constitutional rights/due process. The statute of being in possession of absentee ballots creates a felony offense, but there was no evidence presented at the preliminary examination that showed that Rev. Pinkney had any knowledge that it was illegal to possess and /or deliver absentee ballots.

Everyone's support is needed at a very important hearing on several constitutional issues on January 25, 2007 at 9am at the Berrien County Courthouse, 811 Port Street in St. Joseph, Michigan. Whether or not to drop charges against Pinkney will be decided.

4. On November 9, 2006, Rev. Pinkney went to Lansing for the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board of Trustees, a special meeting to challenge Whirlpool and their take over of Benton Harbor. Rev. Pinkney spoke for the people in Benton Harbor -- with its 70% unemployment, and where 90% of the people live below the poverty level. He asked what a city like Benton Harbor with so much poverty would want with a 18-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, a boat launch, and about 30 homes that cost about one million dollars each, built on city property. As we go to print (The People's Tribune: http://www.lrna.org/2-pt/pt.html) the City Council is voting on the golf course. This could be the last stand, but the battle will continue for the people of Benton Harbor to keep their city.

Rev. Pinkney is available to speak through Speakers for a New America. Call 800-691-6888, email info@speakersforanewamerica.com or visit SpeakersForANewAmerica.com