John and his fiance were traveling to visit John's family members that he had not seen since he was a child. They passed through a strange town and decided to take a break from driving for a couple of days and enjoy the town; as it was a beautiful place. They didn't want to really pay for a hotel room as this could be rather expensive so they decided to stay on a camp ground. The next night they went into town and wanted to go out to a bar for a couple of drinks and have a good time.....the beginning of the tragedy that changed and altered John's life forever. A strange man who was very intoxicated helped himself to the back seat of their car as they were prepared to leave. John questioned the man as to what he was doing and was told the stranger needed a ride. Well John who was no stranger to the street felt for the man who was obviously very intoxicated and agreed to give him a ride to where he needed to go. He first dropped his fiance at the camp ground and then on his travels to take the drunk fellow home he found himself driving in circles. Repeatedly he asked the stranger where do you need to go and the man refused to answer him. Finally John decided to pull over the vehicle and drop the man off in town near a store and explained to him that he had to get back to his fiance so he would have to get out of the car. The stranger got out of the car and then began cursing and yelling at John and before John could pull out of the parking lot the stranger had him by the throat. At this point; John accelerated on the gas to release this man's hold from around his throat. A police officer who had been near by stopped John and John told him of this stranger's attempt to harm him and found himself in cuffs. Now he sits in a prison cell for 25 years for reacting in a way any normal human being would have. I myself had consulted with his lawyers before his sentencing and read court, medical, and police statements and I am totally appauled at this outrageous injustice. The police officer had a couple of different statements as so did the so called victim, and yet lack of money and being stuck with a court appointed attourney led my brother to the wolves. They condemened him as a vagebond because of all his belongings in the car. You see my brother still had no more on this day than he did as a child and once again money would set his fate. In statements I have read the officer in charge that had originally been at the scene of the crime questioned the victim as to John's identity and the victim said he did not know my brother he just want-ed a ride and did not wish to press charges. He refused any medical treatment at the scene as well. The officer had claimed in his report that my brother had run over this man first head on then backing up over him twice. Well I have two questions for this "A police officer that close to the scene would stand back and allow this to happen 3 times before intervening? ......come on!!!!!! and the biggest question of all-"How is this man alive or even walking if this was to have happened?" There were no broken bones either, the medical reports that I read that were admissed into court stated bruises and abrasions. The abrasions would have happened in the event that my brother stated; that the man grabbed his throat and he accelerated on the gas to release his hold. In this case the man would have re- ceived road abrasion from hanging on to the vehicle or my brother during the acceleration. The police officer still took my brother in and held him and 3 days later the victim suddenly decides that he not only wants to press charges but wants medical attention too!! Suddenly my brother was no stranger to this fellow who had wanted a ride as in the original statement but he now claimed that he thought my brother was his brother and that was why he didn't press charges sooner. When originally speaking to my brother's court appointed lawyer during his trial I was informed that this case was a joke and the stories were too conflicting and that my brother would be released after the trial. He also stated that this was not the first case in this area where there was an injustice such as this done. This same lawyer, before the final court hearing told me that he didn't want to touch this with a ten foot pole and now my brother sits in a prison clinging on to some hope that someone will see the light. The day of his court our hearts were heavy with the burden of fear of what would happen to John and when the phone rang my heart broke as I already knew what the news would bring. John told me he got 25 years in prison and his voice stumbled as it was choking on the fear and sadness in his heart and he said, "Sis, I asked myself after they brought me back to this cell, how am I going to do this I don't think I can make it knowing I am here for something I did not do. I wish they would have just given me the lethal injection cause I can't handle the emotions of what is happening to me." I told John not to lose hope he could appeal. Yet in his hopeless world how is one to hang on to the simple words of hope. The last thing he spoke that day is "I am really hurt and angry and I want to know where is God, I no longer believe in him or this could not have happened." I try with all my might to help my brother hold on to his faith as that is all he has left, and I know if he loses this all will be lost. I tell him that sometimes no matter how bad something may seem that there is a reason and a bigger plan for why it is. That he is innocent and some miracle may happen to prove this. I fear that if his appeal is rejected that my brother will die in this place never knowing the love that awaits him. Once again his freedom is hanging in the balance of a court appointed lawyer and trying to give him hope when I know in this case money can buy everything is difficult. You see there was a time that I believed money could never buy anyone the things that are truely important in life, but in my brother's dark, cold, steel room it could buy him the most important thing of all.........HIS FREEDOM!!!! In this place he sits all alone with no one near to help him through this!! Our only form of communication is mail, but for John paper and words goes a long way as that is all he has. I am asking anyone who feels compassion to please use the email link I have provided to write any words of encouragement and support that I can mail to him to help put some light into his darkened life.

So please take the time to view John's Expression's

Mystify

images drawn by:John William Corley