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FREE
MIKE KELLEY NOW!!! |
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102410-- Following is a generic summary of many (many, many) individual emails and conversations I have received and been party to since March of 2007:
In response I would like to say a couple of things: First, I have experienced personal and professional 'blow-back' from my activism, so I understand the concerns of others who feel threatened by speaking truth to power. Still, it must be done. Second, I would like others to understand that my efforts as Chairwoman of The Committee are NOT primarily focused on getting justice for Mike Kelley, tho I am appalled by what has taken place in his and various other mj-related cases (Reeves, Honea, Brown, Neighbors) and I see Mike's case as a 'poster child' for everything that must be corrected in our criminal justice system. |
My primary motive is to bring to the attention of my
community what the Van Buren County Sheriff's
Office did (permitted and enabled to be done) to my daughter and
my family by virtue of the VBCSO empowering their Confidential Informant,
Joseph Daniel Watts, with the belief that he could use his 'insider
connections' with law enforcement to terrorize us and get away with it.
Things like this will continue to happen to all of us
in this community until we act together to put an end to it. Respectfully, I am tenacious to live in a 'clean' community where anyone's grievances may be openly redressed -- not stonewalled. Where the overarching objective is to find/discover/invent a way of doing things that does truly work for the well-being of the whole community. And the truth of the matter seems to me to be that none of us really know how to do this... but I believe that many of us are willing and eager to learn... ~Christine |
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NO JAIL TIME AGAIN !!!!!
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January 16, 2010 The Honorable J. Leon Holmes, Chief Judge United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas 500 West Capitol Avenue Little Rock, AR 72201 re: Michael C. Kelley (Kelly), #47230-198, Federal Prison Camp, 3705 West Farm Rd., Lompoc, CA 93435; case # 4:08-cr-00053-JLH-1; sentenced 03.19.2009 to statutory minimum (60 months incarceration + 4 years probation) for cultivation of more than 100 marijuana plants. Hello Judge Holmes: I write to you once again on behalf of Mike Kelley, referenced above, and wish first to assure you that our resolve for justice in Mike's case is unabated. In this interest both Mike and I have over the course of the past 10 months written to various officials seeking relief. Attached you will find two letters representative of the typical response*. This letter specifically addresses Mike's right to
a sentence reduction under Rule 35**. Factually, Mike was repeatedly given
assurances by arresting and prosecuting officials that if he (Mike) would
'cooperate' with law enforcement by providing probable cause to interdict
criminal activity, he would be given a 50% reduction in his sentence. <> The ramifications of the fact stated above are
patently disingenuous, hypocritical and unjust. |
In this regard, I humbly bring it to the court's
attention that as a citizen representing himself Mike Kelley seeks to
submit such a motion as called for in Rule 35 and requests the assistance
of a public defender in so doing. Sincerely, I and we thank you, Christine Louise Beems, Chairwoman The Committee for Honest Law Enforcement **Rule 35. Correcting or Reducing a Sentence (a) Correcting Clear Error. Within 14 days after sentencing, the court may correct a sentence that resulted from arithmetical, technical, or other clear error. (b) Reducing a Sentence for Substantial Assistance. (1) In General. Upon the government's motion made within one year of sentencing, the court may reduce a sentence if the defendant, after sentencing, provided substantial assistance in investigating or prosecuting another person. (2) Later Motion. Upon the government's motion made more than one year after sentencing, the court may reduce a sentence if the defendant's substantial assistance involved: (A) information not known to the defendant until one year or more after sentencing; (B) information provided by the defendant to the government within one year of sentencing, but which did not become useful to the government until more than one year after sentencing; or (C) information the usefulness of which could not reasonably have been anticipated by the defendant until more than one year after sentencing and which was promptly provided to the government after its usefulness was reasonably apparent to the defendant. (3) Evaluating Substantial Assistance. In evaluating whether the defendant has provided substantial assistance, the court may consider the defendant's presentence assistance. (4) Below Statutory Minimum. When acting under Rule 35(b), the court may reduce the sentence to a level below the minimum sentence established by statute. *referenced letters, click thumbnail for larger image:
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102209-- My mother always said 'no news is good news' and I wish that adage always proved true. The sad fact, however, is that Mike remains a prisoner in the Federal Prison Camp at Lompoc, California, looking at a September 13, 2012 release date. For the record, I did (last week) deliver to our (new) county prosecutor a copy of the complaint filed by Mike, way back at the start of this whole thing, calling for the arrest of the snitch who lied and used his insider connections with the cops to orchestrate a personal vendetta against Mike and member of my family, and ask please for this matter to be pursued, especially as said snitch is now again facing domestic violence charges. To date, however, I have had no response from our county prosecutor except for a phone call from a member of his staff informing me that he was done looking at the materials I left and that I could come by and pick them up. Which I did a couple of days ago, hoping to find a written response as to what action (if any) was planned... however nothing of that nature has so far been forthcoming. And while other efforts to obtain Mike's vindication continue unabated, those wishing to send him a note of encouragement may address: Michael Curtis Kelly*,
47230-198 |
Also I am alarmed to report that over the last several
months reports of misconduct by local officials continue to come
(unsolicited) to my attention. A couple of weeks ago, for example, I got
word about the (alleged) domestic violence committed by the snitch,
replete with accusations about how local law enforcement had tried to
'cover up' the snitch's arrest as it was such an embarrassment to the
department... and how something must be done to stop this insane
perversion of the justice system.
Another report brought to my attention involved the alleged pilfering of county funds by an elected official which, supposedly, other elected officials are aware of and have chosen to turn a blind eye so as to not step on any toes. And I think to myself about all of this that it is just a teeny-tiny microcosm of what is going on everywhere... For example, have you seen the video of the 72-year-old woman being tasered because she 'mouthed off' to a police officer...??? The officers actions, are of course, being justified as compliant with routine police policy and the tasered-woman is being blamed for the whole ugly incident. Of course her behavior was discourteous... but is that just cause to be tasered? Also note that in a follow-up interview she said the one thing she had learned from all this was, when stopped by the police, to 'keep your mouth shut'... which at base line is the fear-driven-status-quo of a defacto police state. ~~~ |
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| *NOTE: Tho Mike's last name is correctly spelled Kelley, his surname is misspelled in prison records as Kelly and thus the incorrect spelling must be used to address him, even tho it is wrong. | ||
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031209--
CHESS & CIVICS DATE SET |
KELLEY SENTENCING
SET The sentencing hearing to determine the fate of Michael C. Kelley is set for Thursday, March 19, 9am at Federal Court in Little Rock, Arkansas. All who are interested to observe our justice system in action are earnestly encouraged to attend. Public scrutiny of our legal system is the ONLY guarantee we have of honesty and integrity. Read this PDF and contact Christine, 501-745-4153, for details. |
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021409-- Michael Kelley's 'presentence report' has been filed with the court. According to the rules of court provided with this report, his sentencing hearing will be held within 35 calendar days subsequent to February 17. Noteworthy however is that these same rules of court stipulate that "a total of 45 calendar days will be allowed for the preparation of a presentence report" and factually, as that clock started ticking October 2, 2008 (roughly 130 days ago -- ie: nearly 3 times longer than allowed by the court's own rules), we shall have to wait and see when the hearing will be scheduled to take place. |
THE COMMITTEE FOR HONEST LAW ENFORCEMENT will meet Saturday, February 21, 4:30pm / 8:00pm at the Community Room of 1st Service Bank, U.S. Hwy. 65, Clinton, Arkansas. All are welcome. Contact Christine, 501-745-4153, and see Gozarks front page for details.
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 020709--Many have asked me how Mike is doing and what is happening regarding his legal case. In a nutshell, Mike is doing okay (considering the circumstances) and just this week received his 'pre-sentencing report' which means that the next thing to happen will be his 'sentencing hearing' at which another effort will be made to get all the facts entered into the record and acknowledged as compelling mitigating circumstances which (at the very least) demand a 'downward departure' from federal sentencing guidelines (ie: a lesser sentence than the 'mandatory minimum') or (optimally) the dismissal of all charges against him and the prosecution of those who have participated in this gross miscarriage of justice. The articles at right were recently clipped from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette and sent to me by Mike, along with a note: "Police and political thefts, investigations and corruption is to be found wherever large sums of public money is to be found. Vigilance and oversight by the public must be established and our officials constantly monitored. "VBC Sheriff Scott Bradley and County Judge Bogie Bramlett have each been cited by the Arkansas Legislative Audit Committee year-in and year-out for 'non-compliance with the law' in fiduciary matters involving millions of tax dollars. The enclosed articles show the legal consequences of corruption when honest law enforcement rules." |
CHESS, CIVICS, ENERGY: February Meeting Open Chess playing will begin at 4:30pm on Saturday, February 21, in the Community Room of Petit Jean Electric Cooperative on Quality Drive in Clinton. At 6:00pm Robert Reed, former chairman of the Libertarian Party of Arkansas, will address the topic "Civics 101: Who spends your money?" 7:00 pm will open a discussion about how to make every home and business 'energy self-sufficient'. Everyone welcome, free of charge. For more info contact Christine Beems, 501-745-4153. |
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011509-- THE
COMMITTEE FOR HONEST LAW ENFORCEMENT |
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| 112208--Still waiting for someone to see the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about the Michael C. Kelley case -- who is every bit the heroic whistleblower that Celerino Castillo III is, and has now been in jail for nearly 7 months as a political prisoner of the corrupt drug war -- and DO SOMETHING about this grave injustice. Think on this while you enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner... knowing that it is OUR individual/guaranteed liberty and constitutional justice that Mike Kelley has been standing up for and accountable to all along... Then think about us... my four kids and I... and how we must feel, knowing what we know and feeling betrayed not only by 'the legal system' but moreso by all the folks who 'say' they are pro-civil rights and anti-drug war activists who have thus far done nothing to stand up for Mike. To those of you 'common citizens' who have been vocal in your support and have taken proactive initiative on Mike's behalf... heartfelt thanks. ~Christine | ||
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102608--The following letters were submitted to the
court on behalf of Mike Kelley, respectfully requesting mitigation of his
sentencing: Letter of reference, including research notes pertaining to Federal Sentencing Hearings 100508 Letter of reference, addressing pertinent facts about Mike Kelley's character, motivation and the 'heartland of reason' the court is obligated to engender in every sentencing, 101508 The date of Mike Kelley's sentencing hearing has not yet been made known to us. When it is, we shall post it here with the hope and expectation that everyone who desires for justice to reign supreme in the land shall attend. ~Christine "They chose to ignore the issue, and when it threatened to burst into the limelight, they buried it." ~PowderBurns: Cocaine, Contras & the Drug War, by Celerino Castillo III and Dave Harmon. |
Below: Pencil drawing made by a
prisoner in Pulaski County Jail from photos sent to fellow detainee, Mike
Kelley.
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youtube video
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100608--I
was most struck the other day by the phrase "universal enfranchisement" in
an
article posted to gozarks front page. I found it meaningfully put.
What I want to know is what do we have to do to get them to get it...??? Less rhetorically, what can we do to bring media attention to the blatant corruption running rampant? |
Factually, here in the
beautiful Ozarks, we are ensconced by perverted agendas which nonchalantly
j-walk (wearing flack jackets and brandishing attack
weapons) whilst headlining 'law & order for all'.
Frankly, sometimes I feel like the little kid in The Emperor Wears No Clothes. Only I am an adult and I am really, really, really pissed. ~Christine |
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I can’t even fathom the values that are operating here, even though they are stamped: “U.S.A.” ~Robert Koehler, award-winning, Chicago-based journalist, editor at Tribune Media Services and nationally syndicated writer. 100408--Two days ago, I and my daughters went to Little Rock to Federal Court to appear at a hearing for Michael C. Kelley. This was a long awaited moment for all of us, 17+ (arduous) months in the making, when we would finally -- after numerous aborted 'hearings' (at which we were also tenacious to testify) -- get to tell the 'other side' of a series of events which culminated in the unjustifiable imprisonment of our dear friend. About two weeks ago I was told by Mike's defense attorney, "The law is on our side." Thus we eagerly awaited our moment of vindication. |
One minor glitch: There was no hearing. That is, there was a hearing but it did not convene in our presence; it took place after we were dismissed from the courtroom; after we were told by Mike's defense attorney that Mike had agreed to plead guilty and be sentenced to ONLY 5 years. I was dumbfounded. Today (Saturday, October 10, 2008) I learned from Mike that the morning of the hearing his attorney told him: "Take the deal or you'll go to prison for 13 years." I want to know what happened to 'the law is on our side'? Ditto Robert Koelher. |
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Federal Court Hearing on Mike Kelley's case set for Thursday, October 2, Little Rock, Arkansas. |
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INTRODUCTION EXHIBITS 2. Sheriff’s photo of 1 oz of pot. 7. DVD "Where’s The Beef?" (10 minutes of the 40-minute video, courtesy of youtube) 8. Newspaper articles 9. Emails from VBCD editor, Megan Stahl 11. Wanted poster See also: Kelley Trial Date Nears, September 2008 Seventeen Months (2008) The Arrest of Michael C. Kelley, April 2007 |
<<< Shalom Weiss, the object of Daniel Watts' vendetta.
On April 22, 2008, after 9 months of
patiently petitioning authorities to arrest Joseph Daniel Watts on
Kelley’s allegation and submission of factual proofs that Watt’s had
sold marijuana to him, Kelley endeavored a perfectly legal citizen’s
arrest of Watts. There was, according to Kelley, no violence or threat
to life involved. Kelley simply knocked on Watts’ door, announced that
he was there to arrest Watts, and displayed the photograph originally
submitted to (but declined by) the newspaper showing several supporters
of The Committee publicly endorsing Koonce at a chili supper, whereupon
Watts retreated into his house, closed the door and Kelley left.
A LETTER FROM A POLITICAL PRISONER September 3, 2007 Dear Friends and Neighbors: Over the past five years and with greater regularity of late, rumors, circumstances and events have come to my attention alleging suspicious conduct and illegal drug-related activity on the part of certain officials in our county. One outstanding example involves a local meth dealer, twice arrested and twice freed from jail resultant of a supposed behind-the-scenes payoff. Numerous other allegations range from theft of property and harassment to coercion and willful deception on the part of law enforcement officials. Coupled with personal observations and first-hand experiences dating back to December of 2002 and including now several incidents involving my own family members, when approached by several friends with the request to ‘do something’ about all of this ‘corruption’ I voluntarily chose to help with establishing The Committee For Honest Law Enforcement in our hometown and accepted the organizational title of Chairwoman. Respectfully, I receive this recognition as a serious duty to serve and foster the well-being of the community that I and my family live in and love. As the first official act as The Committee, on August 16, 2007, a letter was mailed to our local DPA’s Office regarding the legal obligation of police informants to obey the law. This letter included a request for prosecution of an identified informant for drug dealing and notice that the Sheriff’s office had two weeks prior received a citizen complaint with substantive proofs including the legally recorded confession of the informant/drug-dealer, but had to date failed to act. Also on August 16, a PDF copy of this referenced letter was emailed to (approx.) 60 individuals who are known by reputation to be fair-minded proponents of civic activism. Then on August 22, a letter to the editor was published in the VBC Democrat referencing the formation of The Committee and my phone number as a contact. By way of a report a to you, the ‘citizen public’, which the work of The Committee is dedicated to serve, the response to this effort thus far has been dramatic. In addition to various requests by private citizens to ‘take them seriously’ and ‘look into’ events which they say they have reported to law enforcement but that have apparently fallen on deaf ears, The Committee has also been politely warned by several people that those who previously dug into such allegations were, essentially, run out of town. Some have called for emphatic changes to the standards that have become ‘routine practice’ by law enforcement. For example, there is a growing demand for JPs, sheriffs, their employees, the mayor, the judges, local police, pastors, prosecutors, lawyers, state police, etc., to be randomly tested for drug use, just as is now being done to our children in school. Built on this ‘good for the goose, good for the gander’ standard of ‘do unto others’ common sense, in the sole interest of ending hypocrisy by fortifying honesty and integrity throughout our justice system, many independent voices are demanding that local law enforcement be forbidden to invest economic or human resources in the interdiction of any ‘non-violent’ crime until, unless and only after all ‘violent’ crime is 100% resolved. Most pervasive among the complaints, however, is the insidious assertion that while it is a widely well known fact that corrupt behaviors are ever present in our justice system, there is nothing that ‘we the people’ can do to change this and so it is best for us to keep our mouths shut or else risk falling prey to the malevolent behaviors of those who are doing the dirty work. "It’s unpatriotic to spy on Americans and let’s face it, that is what is REALLY happening here in VBC," wrote one local citizen who further calls for "a realistic assessment of the so-called 'drug problem' by independent-minded citizens to determine what the problem really is and how best to use the vast sums of money now allocated to ‘fighting the war on drugs’." In this regard, The Committee welcomes your questions and seeks your involvement. We note with concern that we have to date had no response to our August 16 letter to the VBC DPA’s office. Respectfully, we see this as a violation of the due process clause of the Constitution of the U.S.A. which embodies the principle that the government must respect all of a person's legal rights instead of just some or most of those legal rights when the government deprives a person of life, liberty, or property. For more information, please contact me. Thanks…. ~Chris Beems, Chairwoman
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Stop the Insanity
112208--At
right: What Mike Kelley was doing a year ago, before he took a public
stand for honest law enforcement.
(