The International Free Mark Lankford Campaign (IFMLC)
Newssheet
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Summary September 2002 to the end of 2006 here
Detailled news updates as from January 2007
22nd January 2007 - Mark filed a criminal complaint - see 2006 - and asks supporters to write to the addresses shown
30th January 2007 - "The state's petition for rehearing and rehearing en banc was denied" (Andrew Parnes), or: Idaho's attempt to throw the ball back to the 9th Circuit Court was unsuccessful. If the Idahoans really want to retry Mark, they must organise and pay the retrial themselves. It is very unlikely that the Supreme Court will accept the case
1st March 2007 - Mark has moved to Block J again
11th April 2007 - A decision whether Mark will be retried or released is due by 30th April, Frances wrote
19th April 2007 - Idaho have applied for 45 extra days for their decision "Release or retrial" - the Ninth Circuit promptly denied. May Idaho, should they insist in a retrial, face state bankruptcy!
30th April 2007 - The Supreme Court has overruled the Ninth Circuit and enforced for Idaho a 45-day extension, that's until mid June. On expiry date I had news that Idaho get another extension until 29th June. A retrial, should this come, would not be until October
22nd June 2007 - Greenpeace was taken from the IFMLC news spreader as a consequence of news spreading that they make business with the German food discounter Lidl
1st July 2007 - The time is up, there are no news as yet, but "Mark is in wonderful spirits due to all the positive publicity this week. He was also on the local TV news tonight [30th June]. He knows that he has the state on the run and will eventually win. He appreciates all the efforts by those who want to see justice done", says Rick
5th July 2007 - Another three months to wait! "The state just filed their petition and I have to respond. No decision will be made until October when the Supreme Court reconvenes.", says Andrew Parnes; Mark wrote in September that he expects the decision until 1st October
1st August 2007 - Mark publishes his tenth Random edition of thoughts
1st October 2007 - The Supreme Court rejected Idaho's request, and Andrew Parnes expects that Idaho will rather retry than release Mark. Frances confirmed that Mark will be retried - only when? This troubles the Idaho civil public who end up paying with their taxes for a trial doomed to be lost
9th October 2007 - The organiser of the 2003/2004 painting exhibition filed me this picture from a recent exhibition. The installation is named "Dead Man Talking"
10th October 2007 - Rick informs me that Mark will be moved near the site of the 1993 murders for retrial. So before sending him anything please check the current address lest mail be lost. Rick asks me to send this to the readers: "The Idaho County Prosecuting Attorney has the jurisdiction and authority to determine if Mark Lankford will be retried or released from prison. The Attorney General does not have any authority to make that decision." Please go to this website to protest against Mark's retrial and demand his release. See also Marks letter
21st October 2007 - The Idaho Statesman reports on Mark's retrial. He is given a more experienced lawyer
23rd October 2007 - Mark complains of bad treatment and unhealthy nutrition but has been moved again after a few days
3rd November 2007 - Mark's other brother Robert starts evil publicity pretending that Mark has committed murders before. He wants Mark to stay in prison. Why does he start his campaigns right now? Read Mark's latest Random edition and see the new sheet with press releases
25th January 2008 - Mark moves again. He is worried about Robert's accusations and fears these to result in remaining in prison as non-convicted inmate for security only
1st February 2008 - I received a message from Anonymous addressed to Mark's defending lawyer Charles "Chuck" Kovis. Very interesting contents! I apologise for the bad scan quality. Meanwhile I started receiving anonymous threat calls in English in very poor sound quality from some female. She claims Bryan innocent and Mark guilty and wants me prosecuted for telling lies about Mark on the Internet
9th February 2008 - The first trial week is over, Rick attended the first three days. The Lewiston Tribune reports on Bryan's testimony which stands in contradiction to his own hand-written confession from 2003
13th February 2008 - After prosecution and defense had their turns last week, it was Mark's turn today to appear at court and speak for himself
14th February 2008 - The judicial manipulators sieged another victory: Mark is reconvicted. He was blamed for stealing the van (this also was Bryan's offence!) which according to Idaho Law can be twisted as to become the same as murdering the Bravences. The final judgement is due in April. My own comment on the story here
18th February 2008 - Rick writes that Mark is in comparatively good spririts and does not intend to capitulate. See Rick's message on the Press file, pages 12/13
26th February 2008 - Mark moves again and fears to be transported back to the IMSI at Boise while waiting for sentencing, so it does not make sense to send anything to this address. He lost his property that was withheld at Shoshone. Rick publishes the telephone number of Mark's defending lawyer Charles Kovis (will be given to IFMLC members only to ward off misuse) and asks supporters to get in touch with the same
28th February 2008 - Newspapers report on Kovis' demands for a new trial (page 13)
18th March 2008 - Mark's brother Robert has died of a heart attack. - On the Press file, a letter from defender Hallin to prosecutor McGregor has been added (page 14), on 4th April there came a message from Mark (page 15)
21st April 2008 - Mark's sentencing is postponed to 19th June. Swiss supporter Sally Montana visited him. He still lives in Solitary status at Orofino as if he were a Death Row inmate; on command from IMSI Boise, prison staff are not allowed to let him live in Normal status, nor has he any property
30th April 2008 - Mark has a 1985 letter of Bryan's to his attorney sent to me for publication together with his comment
5th June 2008 - Mark's sentencing has been postponed again, this time to mid July, and has sent volume 12 of his Random series. Another edition, vol. 13, came on 4th July
12th July 2008 - Rick sends a message concerning mail to Mark: envelopes must show the senders' full names and addresses. Mark awaits sentencing on 17th July
18th July 2008 - Mark has been resentenced and intends to appeal. This is what Rick wrote today: "Friends, Advocates and Supporters of Mark Lankford! 10:15 p.m. - I am writing this upon my return from Grangeville, Idaho. It is a 4 hour drive from Boise one way. I attended Mark's sentencing procedures which turned into a long day of testimony from the victims' family and friends. I was able to testify for Mark and tried to relay to the court that Mark is trustworthy and would not be a threat to society. Mark was also able to speak and spent about 45 min. trying to explain his frustration of being incarcerated for 25 years for a crime that he did not commit. Mark did express remorse for his role in the murders and sympathy for the victims' family. However in the end, it didn't matter as the judge ruled that Mark be sentenced to life without parole. The defense was asking for 10 years to life with time served to be considered. The judge felt that he had to give Mark life without parole because of his guilt in the most recent trial. Amazingly, Mark was in good spirits and was ready for the worst decision if given. He already has plans for an appeal which could mean a third trial. Mark sends his thanks to all of you that sent letters of support to Judge Bradbury. He also thanks everyone for their prayers and concerns. I am not sure where Mark will end up to serve his time. For now, he has been returned to Orofino. Please feel free to contact him there. Remember to include your full return address or the letter will not be delivered to Mark. Thanks for all your support. May God richly bless you all! Yes, God is still in control of this situation and will watch over Mark in prison or if given the opportunity to go free. Keep the faith! Peace, Rick". - See also latest report by Idaho Statesman on the Press file, page 16
3rd August 2008 - Mark has been moved back to Boise
9th August 2008 - After her holiday, Frances forwarded to me the latest public message from Mark dated 25th July. See Press file, pages 16 and 17
2nd September 2008 - I had a letter from Mark where he expresses doubts whether Robert had really died or whether "this is just all deception to prevent a lawsuit for defamation"
10th September 2008 - Rick issues two new pictures of Mark - 1 2 (nr. 2 taken in Shoshone)
12th
November 2008 - Mark' latest circular is out
Sheet last updated on 12th November 2008 / Publisher and website holder: see here
