I spoke with Reporter Sandy Hodson today. Her articles surrounding Michael C. Blocker's 2008 burglary/rape/kidnapping trial seems to be the only record that his three day trial started on Monday, January 15, 2008 based on her 1/17/2008 article "Rapist gets life in prison, no parole."
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2008/01/17/met_180683.shtml
One of the things that stood out in my brief telephone conversation with Ms. Hodson was that she remembers the defendant Michael Blocker being "apologetic" before he was sentenced which coincides with Michael Blocker's statement:
"When the judge is ready to sentence me, he asks me if I'd like to make a statement. Mr. Hadden (public defender) urges me again to do so. Ms. Tanya Jeffords (from public defenders office) tells me that it would show character and responsibility. So I stand up and say what I'm told , so the judge will give me 20 years (for burglary)."
Also, according to Michael Blocker's statement, Ms. Alexia Davis (from the public defenders office) was also present during the "plan to apologize before sentencing" strategy session. It seems that he had three African American attorneys advising him that the 20 year sentencing was the "best deal" although a jury was already in place.
Since no trial transcripts are available for Michael C Blocker's three day trial, I can not confirm nor deny the presence of the additional attorneys from the Office of the Public Defender; however, I did find the following News-Times article showing "Attorney arrested for theft of lost diamond ring" (Valerie Rowell- staff writer) connecting Attorney Tanya Jeffords with Attorney Alexia Davis:
http://newstimes.augusta.com/latest-news/2013-02-26/attorney-arrested-for-theft-of-lost-diamond-ring
In addition, I found the District Attorney's name came up as well in this related News-Times article, "Theft charge against Columbia County Public Defender dismissed, " (Steve Crawford, publisher), Augusta District Attorney Ashley Wright recused herself to avoid a conflict of interest.
http://newstimes.augusta.com/news/2014-07-09/theft-charge-against-columbia-county-public-defender-dismissed
So Michael C. Blocker, a repeat "non-violent" offender of burglary, theft, etc stands for what he thinks is a 20 year burglary sentence, and the judge delivers a "life without parole" sentence along with 20 years.
Why would a defendant agree to a Life sentence when he is into the third day of trial by jury? All of the newspaper articles surrounding the three day trial mentions plenty of details surrounding the burglary, stolen jewelry, stolen coins, and stolen money, but the "rape" was always presented as an "afterthought." Always "one liners" surrounding the rape, and Michael Blocker states that his public defender Hugh Hadden did not even question the alleged rape victim.
The sexual assault/rape kit did NOT show a violent act. The investigator notes that I read through never described any physical injuries. The alleged rape victim's dog did NOT sustain any injuries.
Why would a "veteran" burglar with his hands full of coins, jewelry, and money put all of the stolen goods down for a one minute "non-violent" rape?
Most burglars with stolen goods in hand are focused on getting away; not hanging around.
In addition, reporter Sandy Hodson mentioned Michael Blocker being "high on drugs." Even if he was high on drugs, he seemed TO REMEMBER enough NOT to leave "any fingerprints" anywhere, and there was NO signs of violence except for the fact that the age 74 year old alleged rape victim claims that she was raped in a green nightshirt with white lace trim in the middle of the winter season lasting for one minute?
I am a rape survivor, and I assure you that it took at least 3 pages to describe my own rape experience in writing. My rapist continues to remain free and living his life.
Congress is trying to release non-violent offenders from life without parole sentencing. Michael C. Blocker has NOT been found guilty of a violent act, and he should be released from false imprisonment as soon as possible. #exonerateMichael
Correction: Trial beginning date should reflect Monday, January 14, 2008 based on Sandy Hodson's article.
ReplyDeletePending verification: The life sentence may NOT be "LWOP." The family may have been misinformed. Parole may be an option if Michael is not released based on false imprisonment.
ReplyDeleteMichael should NOT have to be subjected to a sex offenders registry when NO RAPE OCCURRED!!!!! So DISMISS, EXONERATE, or HAVE MERCY!
ReplyDeleteThe first link to Sandy Hodson's article no longer redirects. The newspaper may have altered the path. I refuse to be bothered with their reckless behavior that helped railroad my cousin into false imprisonment and killing my uncle and aunt. May God have mercy on their souls. This newspaper will be held accountable for their reckless actions.
ReplyDelete