Non-violent felons: Understanding the Repeat Offender

photo credit: Santafenewmexican.com

The only difference between non-violent prison inmates and all the law-abiding citizens is that "the non-violent prison inmate got caught and was held accountable for his/her bad decision(s)."

People at all income levels, all educational backgrounds, all races, and at all ages, can make a bad decision.

What is a non-violent prisoner?

Non-violent prisoners are typically people who may have/had a drug addiction or a lifestyle that they could not maintain.  So they turn to stealing, burglary, theft, or selling drugs to maintain their lifestyle or to achieve a better lifestyle.  Upon getting caught and convicted, the downward spiral is almost inevitable.

Who is the non-violent repeat offender?

Most convicted felons can not find a decent job after serving their time.  This rejection by society can cause depression and desperation which starts the cycle of one bad decision after the next.  It becomes a vicious cycle that the family can not seem to stop because the judicial system and society is not providing a solution.  Many convicted felons are capable of merging back into society, but they may need drug addiction intervention and job opportunities to sustain a modest household.

The families who love them can only do so much.  The judicial system is failing the families, the inmates, and society as a whole.  The convictions are extracting money from the family members with no benefits in return.  The convictions are destroying lives.  Wealth and material things can be replaced.  No one wants anything stolen from them, but Wall Street, predatory lenders, and other white collar business entities are stealing legally from the American public all the time.  People have lost their homes because of creative financing where bankers pocket the money.  Even O.J. Simpson is serving time for stealing items that originally belonged to him???? Wars are about "stealing" land, precious natural resources, etc.

President Bush stole the presidential election from Al Gore in 2000.  Stealing is just as American as Christopher Columbus taking America from the Native Americans.  Some people steal legally while others suffer for the rest of their life over one bad decision.

Repeat convictions by the same individual does not make them less human.  It just means society is failing to make better opportunities for everyone to have a piece of the American pie.

#exonerateMichael

I need many more supporters for my online petition.  Please help. Thank you.

https://8.change.org/p/nathan-deal-hold-widely-respected-judge-danny-craig-accountable-for-framing-michael-c-blocker?recruiter=532225508&utm_source=petitions_show_components_action_panel_wrapper&utm_medium=copylink

Augusta, Ga: Non-violent Burglar sentenced to Life without Parole?

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