boys to men's club

I have been so blessed to have the chance to work with these young men. To see them outside of their comfort zone having fun and just being kids, I see God at work. The boys to mens club is growing but to be honest I think I am getting more out of the club then the young men that I be with. We are still in need of bikes and not only bikes but opportunity to go differnt places. I want to expose them to as many new things as I can. So if you have any ideals please contact us.

Party for Terrell and Saundra. Please come Celebrate with us...

After 17 years for a crime he didn't commit, we would like to:

Welcome Home Terrell Johnson! AND Celebrate Saundra's Birthday!

Please Join Us Saturday October 27th
6pm to 8:30 pm
Ava Lounge 126 S. Highland Ave

Dinner! Music! You!
potluck style! please bring something to share!

We are asking for a $5-20 donation to be gifted to Terrell and Saundra!

Just in case you are not aware, Saundra and Terrell are married and Saundra has been the backbone of the grassroots campaign Justice for Terrell!  October 27th is Saundra's Birthday!

Noone from the city of Pittsburgh, the government of Pennsylvania, or the Department of Corrections has apologized or offered any restitution for wrongly convicting Terrell and taking him away from his family and Hazelwood for over 17 years.  Let's keep it moving. 

More information can be found at: Innocence Institute and Human Rights Coalition - FedUp! Chapter
 
You can watch YouTube videos of Terrell Here.

If you can't make it to the party but would like to donate to the Welcome Home Terrell Fund you can make an online donation which will be gifted to Terrell and Saundra at the party. Please pass along to others who would like to contribute. 

Donate Here


Thank you So MUCH!! Terrell's Freedom is a Victory For Us All!!

Terrell speaks on Youtube

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Freed!

The Justice for Terrell Campaign rests!  The jury found Terrell not guilty of all charges today.  Peace, health, and LOVE to the Mckamey Cole family in their reunited journey.  

Vanessa German at the JFT fundraiser 2011

Raisaunya Jones at the JFT fundraiser 2011

Justice for Terrell Rally and Press Conference

Supporters gathered on the steps of Pittsburgh's City County Building last Wednesday, the day before jury selection for Terrell's new trial, to talk to the media and pass out info in the streets.  Here are links to some of the media created that day:

Human Rights Coalition FedUp! Blogspot with press release and photos

90.5 Pittsburgh's NPR News Station

Post Gazette Story that wrongfully calls Saundra Terrell's Mother!

Story on Trib Total Media

Videos from the rally:

Justice for Terrell Rally Chant! Chant! Chant!  Play here or youtube

Discussion of witness Barbara Robinson. Play here or youtube

Discussion of witness Evelyn Mcbryde.  Play here or youtube

Justice for Terrell Dates and Locations

Three years after winning a new trial to prove his innocence, Terrell Johnson will go before the judge and jury beginning September 4, 2012 in Pittsburgh PA.

We hope that you will support the Justice for Terrell Campaign through its last leg of the journey to win Terrell's freedom.
 

Join us for the Rally and Press Conference 

one week before the trial starts, the 3rd annual Hazelwood Freedom Festival on labor day weekend, and a week of Courthouse Support at Terrell's trial.

Rally and Press Conference: 
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
City County Building 414 Grant St

9 AM rally (bring your signs and JFT t-shirts)

10 AM press conference (bring your favorite news media)

Hazelwood Freedom Festival: 

Sunday, September 2, 2012
Lewis Playground Second Ave

4-8 PM (bring a dish)

Sign up to perform at the variety show! There will be activities for children and campaign info.

Courthouse Support: 

Begins Tuesday, September 4, 2012 and will continue through the week

436 Grant St Allegheny County Courthouse
Judge Donald Machen's Courtroom

Join us for a sit in at Terrell's trial in support of his innocence and his family members.  Contact Bret for specific times or if you get lost (412) 654-9070

For all other campaign info contact Saundra Cole poorlaw@gmail.com or (412) 670-8421 or visit the

online campaign headquarters. 

History of Witnesses from Post Gazette 2003

"Was the Wrong Man Convicted in 1994 murder case?"
Excerpt from Sunday, September 21, 2003

By Bill Moushey, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

"...On the night of July 21, many Hazelwood residents were outside until past midnight, sitting, talking, drinking and watching their children play.

Verna Robinson was there, too, drinking beer from a Styrofoam cup. She had bought a 16-ounce can of Stroh's with some of the money the cops had given her.

As the night wore on, she walked up and down Almeda Street, listening to gospel music on a Walkman.
Shortly after 1 a.m., Barbara Robinson, who was upstairs closing a bedroom window, heard a shot.

"BANG! Oh my God! Before I could get to the door, I heard another shot," she said. "Somebody was banging on my door, 'Miss Barb, Verna's in the street, she's done been shot.' I came back through the house and went out the front and saw her lying there."

Her daughter was dead.

The faint sounds of gospel music from Verna's headset wafted through the air.

"I couldn't say nothing. I just picked up her hand ... the music was playing, then I went back into the house," Barbara Robinson said.

Shortly after the killing, a local resident described the assailants to police.

One, she said, was a man who looked like Harold Cabbagestalk. Another was Dorian Moorefield, another gang member. The third, she said, was a youth between 13 and 14 years old.

Despite that description, one other man -- Terrell Johnson -- became a suspect, mainly because Verna Robinson had filed assault charges against him.

Johnson found out he was a suspect by reading the newspaper. He went to police and said he had witnesses to prove he was in a house several blocks away at the time of the killing. Police released him, but told him not to leave town.

Johnson thought he had nothing to worry about. But soon, another woman would enter the case, and she would prove to be his undoing.

Dolly McBryde's story
Two and a half weeks after the shooting, Evelyn "Dolly" McBryde was caught shoplifting at Century III mall.
It wasn't the first time she had been arrested.

McBryde, 30, was another crack addict from Hazelwood. She already had several outstanding warrants for various theft cases and for failing to appear in court. She also faced more than 30 probation violations. Taken together, these charges would have allowed a judge to imprison her for up to 50 years.

After her arrest, McBryde told mall police she had information about Verna Robinson's murder. She wanted a deal."...

New Trial Date

Terrell Johnson's new trial has been scheduled for September 4, 2012.  Jury selection is scheduled for August 30, 2012.  Terrell will be represented by Turahn Jenkins and the District Attorney is Russell Broman.  The presiding judge is Donald Machen.

JFT at Freedom March for the Wrongfully Convicted

Members of the Justice for Mike Deloe and Justice for Terrell Johnson organizing campaigns rallied with family members and supporters on October 3^rd, as part of a national day to bring attention to wrongful convictions in the nation’s criminal legal system.

Mary Ann Lubas, Director of the Pennsylvania arm of the National Freedom March for the Wrongfully Convicted, began organizing the event in Pittsburgh three years ago, when her son Michael DeLoe was convicted of a crime that never occurred, while jurors slept through the trial.

The rally brought together formerly incarcerated people and family members of the wrongfully convicted to speak about their experiences trying to navigate the system and prove their innocence after they or their loved ones have been wrongfully accused. Lubas spoke about the execution of Troy Davis and cited statistics of wrongful convictions and why the death penalty should be abolished: “In the past 30 years, 273 people have been exonerated from prison sentences based on DNA evidence. Those that have been exonerated spent an average of 13 years in prison. 130 people have been exonerated from death row, and an estimated 10% of all people in prison are wrongfully convicted."

view video

JFT Fundraiser! Big Party Event! September 8, 2011

Terrell Johnson has been in prison for 17 years for a crime he didn't commit. He and his loved ones have fought for and succeeded in getting a new trial. But Terrell still needs a legal team who will fight for what is right: FREEING AN INNOCENT MAN!

Join HRC and the Justice for Terrell Campaign at the Shadow Lounge on September 8, 2011 for a night of fun to raise $$$$$ for a legal team. There will be phenomenal performances by:

Vanessa German

Jasiri X

Krunk Jazz Band

Raisaunya Jones

Andre King

Also there will be a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, DJ and more!

Come out and dance, laugh, listen and celebrate the hope and spirit of justice because 17 years of imprisonment is the REAL CRIME.

$7-15 dollar suggested donation (no one will be turned away for lack of funds)

Show starts at 8 pM

Trial Postponed: Defense Files Motions

Terrell Johnson's trial scheduled to begin the end of February has been postponed, perhaps until May. On February 28th, the court held hearings on defense motions to suppress certain evidence the prosecution is attempting to admit. The judge has ordered briefs, and will set a trial date after ruling on the suppression motions.

Come out to the Rally: Trial Begins January 28, 2011

On Monday February 28th, 2011 the Justice for Terrell Campaign, the Human Rights Coalition, community members and human rights defenders will gather outside the Allegheny County Courthouse in Pittsburgh to support Terrell Johnson, a resident of Hazlewood who was framed and convicted on a murder charge in 1995. We need everyone! Terrell Johnson successfully won a new trial last year that is scheduled to begin this week.

Supporters will gather at 8AM for a press conference at 8:30. After the press conference, we will head up to Judge Machen's courtroom 326 to witness and support Terrell's fight for justice.

Jury selection is scheduled for Friday February 25th, and the trial will begin February 28th. It is scheduled to last for up to five days. So clear your schedule, come out, and let's FREE TERRELL.

Wrongful Convictions at the East Liberty Library

The Justice for Terrell Campaign is having a discussion on wrongful convictions and Terrell Johnson's upcoming trial at 5:00PM on February 22, 2011 at the East Liberty Library. The address is 130 S.Whitfield St Pittsburgh PA 15206. Call for directions 412-363-8232. The discussion will last about an hour and will include interactive discussion and participation, along with facts and information sharing.

Trial Date Changed

Terrell Johnson's trial has been postponed so the judge can go on vacation. Ugh! The jury selection is now scheduled for February 25 and the trial is scheduled to start the following week, probably Monday February 28, 2011.

Wrongful Convictions at the Black & White Reunion

The Justice for Terrell Campaign organized a workshop on wrongful convictions at the Black & White Reunion in East Liberty this weekend. People talked about their experience with the justice system and police in Pittsburgh and got the low down on Terrell Johnson's case. Below is some info from the workshop publications.

Statistics on wrongful convictions:

With 2.5 million people incarcerated in the U.S. if only .01% of those inside are wrongfully convicted, that makes 25,000 people.

According to a study conducted by the Innocence Project, of 70 cases overturned based upon post-conviction evidence…
• Over 30 of them involved prosecutorial misconduct;
• Over 30 of them involved police misconduct which led to wrongful convictions;
• About 15 of them involved false witness testimony;

Terrell Johnson's case involves prosecutorial misconduct, police misconduct and false witness testimony. Also...

Government Misconduct
In far too many cases, the very people who are responsible
for ensuring truth and justice – law enforcement officials and
prosecutors – lose sight of these obligations and instead focus
solely on securing convictions.

Informants/Snitches
In more than 15% of cases of wrongful conviction
overturned by DNA testing, an informant or jailhouse
snitch testified against the defendant. Often,
statements from people with incentives to testify –
particularly incentives that are not disclosed to the
jury – are the central evidence in convicting an
innocent person.
People have been wrongfully convicted in cases in
which snitches:
• Have been paid to testify
• Have testified in exchange for their release
from prison
• Have testified in multiple distinct cases that they
have evidence of guilt, through overhearing a
confession or witnessing the crime.

Bad Lawyering
The resources of the justice system are often stacked against poor defendants. Matters only become worse when a person
is represented by an ineffective, incompetent or overburdened defense lawyer. The failure of overworked lawyers to
investigate, call witnesses or prepare for trial has led to the conviction of innocent people. When a defense lawyer doesn’t
do his or her job, the defendant suffers. Shrinking funding and access to resources for public defenders and courtappointed
attorneys is only making the problem worse.

Letter Writing-Meets Video-Meets HipHop

This Friday, January 7, 2011, HRC FedUp! and the Justice for Terrell Campaign will be at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater for the first annual STOP THE VIOLENCE Holiday Talent Showcase. The event will be hosted by lowacit entertainment and Mark C. Producations with cash prizes and special guests The Undalrds and J'aira Pryor. As if that's not enough, the Justice for Terrell Campaign will be doing a video and speak out in support of Terrell Johnson's upcoming trial and letter writing campaign.

Tune in to community organizer, Saundra Cole, with support from One HOOD MEdia's new crime scene investigation footage and find out what's what. In addition, the Justice For Terrell Letter Writing Campaign will be happening on all surrounding clipboards. So come out and STOP THE VIOLENCE by writing to public officials and law enforcement workers who have held an innocent person behind bars for 16 years.

Complete Event Info

Where & When

Kelly Strayhorn Theater
5941 Penn Ave (East Liberty)
Pittsburgh PA 15206
January 7, 2011 5:00 PM

For more info call Mark 412-734-1067

Ticket Outlets

10 Dollars @

Mo Gear
East Liberty 6022 Penn Ave Pittsburgh PA 15206
412-661-6070

Up Beat Records
Wilkinsburg 1008 Wood St Pittsburgh PA 15221
412-731-3719

Dorseys Records
Homewood 7614 Frankstown Ave Pittsburgh PA 15208
412-731-6607

Justice for Terrell-Letter Writing Campaign Launch

Join the Human Rights Coalition-Justice for Terrell Campaign on December 22, 2010 at 5129 Penn Avenue, 7pm for the launch of a letter-writing campaign in support of Terrell Johnson.

Terrell Johnson has been wrongfully incarcerated for the last 16 years for a murder that the Pittsburgh police department and District Attorney's office know he did not commit.

On February 7, 2011, Terrell will finally be given a new trial.

The Justice for Terrell campaign is asking our friends and supporters to join us by writing two letters to people with the power and influence to end this injustice immediately:

1) Honorable Kim Berkeley Clark was the original prosecutor in Terrell's case. She used perjured testimony to secure a conviction that helped pave her way to higher office.
2) District Attorney Stephen Zappala offered to release Terrell last year if he would admit to a crime he did not commit: Terrell refused the deal.

Help us send a strong message and mobilize support of Freedom for Terrell this Wednesday.

Our blogspot link to letter writing campaign page

Hazel Hastings "Terrell Johnson" Interview with Bill Moushey of the Innocence Institute of Point Park University

Hazel Hastings talks about her relationship with Evelyn "Dolly" McBryde -- the woman whose testimony landed a Pittsburgh man, Terrell Johnson, in prison for a crime he says he did not commit.

Link to video on Vimeo

Hazelwood Freedom Festival 2

Join HRC/Fed Up! and the Justice for Terrell campaign for a summer block party in Hazelwood featuring music, fire-jugglers, face-painting, food, and other entertainment, along with literature and information tables about other social justice struggles and community projects. Contact us about tabling opportunities.

There will be speakers as well, including formerly incarcerated people and family members of the wrongfully convicted and those resisting abuse and torture in PA prisons. Come and share your story and link struggles.

Where: Lewis Playground, in front of the YMCA, 4817 Chatsworth Street, Left off of Second Avenue 2 lights before corner store

When: Saturday, August 14, 2010, 5-9pm

Why: Because Terrell Johnson has been incarcerated for 16 years for a crime he did not commit; because the police and DA know this; because he has a new trial scheduled in October; and because we are going to organize and mobilize to force the DA to free Terrell and all those wrongfully convicted.

City Council Open MIC PICS