THE FREE MARK LANKFORD DEFENSE PROJECT 2004 Edition

Insets in [...]  by Thomas Michael

It has been a very eventful six months for me and for the world. I remain hopeful that this world will be a better place before this year is out, but we all have to do what we can do to make this a reality, sometimes going beyond the call of duty. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone, each and all, for all the prayers, friendship, encouragement and compassion extended toward me over these many years of unjust incarceration. As I look back, it does not seem that it has been over twenty years.

On 28 November, 2003 I was moved from solitary confinement to IMSI General Population! After over twenty years of solitary, it was not as huge an adaptation process as one might think. I was given no orientation, but I really did not need any, as I am nearing 48 years of age. I do thank the Warden and Director, along with all the State employees that had the confidence in Randy McKinney and myself, for we are the only two inmates to be allowed out of that dark, oppressive Death Row environment.

The only negative aspects of being out of solitary and having a cellmate (McKinney) are a little less privacy and the loss of my painting. I may go to using colored pencils when there is a definitive policy instituted. The positives FAR outweigh the negatives, by a landslide! They are:

1. NO MORE HANDCUFFS when I leave the cell.
2. I can shower every day.
3. I am allowed out of my cell 3-6 hours per day.
4. I can play games and speak with others freely, I have already won a "SCRABBLE" tournament, as if that is a surprise.
5. The best part - I can now have FACE-to FACE visits [smilie in original document].

If you want to visit, you will need to complete a visiting form, which I can send you on request [See Random-3]. I would like to get visits from each and every one of you, as much as possible!

I have only recently gotten back into my full rhythm of writing and reading. Do not despair if you have not received a quick response to any letters you may have sent. I will get it done. Everyone needs to know that my address has changed slightly, but use it for better results. [See title file of this folder].

Also, you can send me message on e-mail at: lankfordmark@yahoo.com [expired] - a new address that Frances set up because many from Europe experienced spam blocks on the AOL address [see News file, 25th December 03 and 1st January 04].

On the legal case front, the Federal judge finally denied my Reconsideration Motion on 9 February, in another pathetic and ill-conceived ruling. I can see why some want these lifetime appointments of Federal jurists revisits. I can't see how this judge was EVER elevated to such a lofty position. So, we go on.

Our next stop will be the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal, for the second time. However, the case will be on hold until the US Supreme Court makes a decision on the Summerlin case, which deals with the retroactivity of a prior ruling mandating juries be involved in Capital sentencing proceedings. I only had a sorry, worthless, corrupt fool for a judge, which has been about the same for all the judges I have had in this case. You would think that someone would apply logic, the truth, gut instinct or just plain wisdom/common sense to the issues of this case and rule in my favor. Instead, all I get is a "pass the buck" mentality. Remember that appeals courts are supposed to review, in a comprehensive way, the fairness and Constitutional righteousness of a trial and sentencing process. This is all crap, for what they do is attempt to cover up for sorry, corrupt judges and embarrassingly inept attorneys! It is a junk system, for they are all in the same, pathetic whirlpool of avarice and self-righteous ass-covering! For those that think the US has a great system of justice, you had better lay off the drugs!

I do feel a lot better about my situation. It is always good to have more freedom of movement, even if it is severely restricted. I am not allowed to go to the ballfield or to E and G Blocks, which were part of the old prison and are the most- free. I understand fully, the reasoning process that led to this restriction, for some folks are not as mature as I, nor do they seem to ever be. It has been very cold this winter, so I have not been going out into the recreation atrium area much (though I have played a few games of handball). My body is in good shape, for I work to keep it that way.

Since I am not allowed to paint as I did, it will cause me some problems in the financial area, so any assistance would be extremely welcomed. All things here are expensive and I have found that I need to upgrade many items of property. As I mentioned earlier, I will explore the colored pencil hobby, to get the art back on some sort of footing. The recent art exhibit in Stuttgart, Germany was, from preliminary reports, successful, but I will need a lot more assistance over the next year at least. Please contact me if you have any ideas, suggestions or anything else that may assist, for I still have the death sentence. There is no category here called "Death Row" any longer, but we are called "Death-sentenced offenders". For more news about this and any breaking information, consult the various websites. Feel free to give voice to your concerns, ideas ...

A FEW RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:

The situation in Iraq will forever be a quagmire, identical to the Israeli-Palestinian debacle, for as long as American forces remain there. Any other idea is simply stupid and without thought to historical precedent. Tell it like it is: George W. Bush has lied to the people of America, forfeiting the lives of over 500 defeated in November, in a landslide never to be forgotten. A message needs to be sent to those that scare the population and use that very fear to strip as many civil rights from people they scare will NOT BE TOLERATED! This was the same paradigm used by many dictators and would-be-dictators (Bush and Co.) throughout history! Let us not be duped by some of the most greedy, idiotic and imbecilic fools ever to enter the laudable arena of public service! Wake up America and run those scumbags out of their non-elected positions!

I will close and I do pray that 2004 will be better than 2003. Stay strong and let me hear from you soon.

Namasté

Mark Henry Lankford
21 January 2004

Publisher: see title sheet