Friday, February 5, 2010

Verdict has been made!

Quick update...just heard from Colin....appeal court has ruled....They have overturned her conviction!!!!! Do not have any details...but will update everyone as soon as I know!! Thanks, to all of you..we could not have done this without your support, concern, prayers and everything that each and every one of you have contributed!!!

With much love and gratitude!
Sandy

30 comments:

Terri said...

I am SO.HAPPY!!!!!!!

alaskadoug said...

JUSTICE FINALLY! Our prayers have been answered. Best wishes to Mechele, her family and all of her loyal supporters.

Anonymous said...

Thank God =) I send my love to you. We are here for all the encouragement and support that You need!!! God Bless :-)
Don't hesitate to message Me. I am so happy & tickled pink.

KTSBerg said...

Most amazing news!! Can't wait to see that smile again!

Katie said...

The BEST News EVER. Such a great day today:)

Kristina Hermach said...

Tears of absolute joy and relief! A great shock, this time! I can do nothing else but Thank God for a while! Thrilled the system came to senses. -- Kristina Hermach

Unknown said...

Here is a link to the Alaska Court of Appeals Opinion.

No. 2253 A-10190 Linehan v. State [criminal]

http://www.courts.alaska.gov/ops/ap-2253.pdf

Annette in Alaska

Unknown said...

Here is a link to the Alaska Court of Appeals Opinions

No. 2253 A-10190 Linehan v. State [criminal]

http://www.courts.alaska.gov/ops/ap-2253.pdf

Ashton Goodell said...

Hi sandy.

My name is Ashton Goodell; I'm a reporter with Channel 2 news in Anchorage, AK. I was hoping to talk to you or Mechele's family about the court's decision today. Please contact me at agoodell@ktuu.com.

Many Thanks.

Cyndi said...

Finally there is justice. Mechele must be estatic!! State would be stupid to retry her after reading the opinion. I live in Anchorage and got the opinion before the press. Congratulations to Mechele, her family, and friends and supporters.

Mazie said...

Oh, Sandy! I'm so thrilled for Mechele, for everyone whose been behind her all along ... I'm just so completely happy that this has at last come to pass. Now, freedom, and justice for Mechele, may it prevail and be a beacon of hope and light for others who have been wrongly convicted.

livieandhermommies said...

OH SANDY!!!
THANK YOU for the wonderful news!!! I am soooooooo Excited for you, your family and especially Mechele, Colin & Audrey! For them to give you this wonderful news so quickly after the hearing restores (some of) my faith in the system! Cant wait to hear the details....

Cassy Downs said...

I cannot explain in words how pleased I am to here this!!! Mechele deserves to be at home after all the anquish and torture she has gone through. I wish you all the best as you continue on this path to get her back where she belongs.....HOME!

AlaskaFeline said...

I'm so glad to hear this news. Congratulations!

AlaskaFeline said...

I'm so glad to hear this news. Congratulations!

LC said...

Sandy,
Colin called this morning to let us know the wonderful news! Words can't even express how thrilled we are. We've been running around screaming all day! Although all of these events have been so tragic, it's wonderful to see that finally the madness has a stopping point. I pray that she is released post haste and that you all get to spend some much needed time together.

I watched this whole mess develop as I went through law school. Witnessing Alaska's version of justice caused me to seriously question the notion of fairness in the law--where was it in all of this? Finally a decision has been rendered that comports with the rules of evidence and a defendant's basic civil liberties!! Ridiculous that it took this long but a victory nonetheless!!

Wishing you all the best,
love,
Laura & John

Unknown said...

The Anchorage Daily News just posted this article:

Alaska prosecutors say it is too early to decide whether they will petition the Alaska Supreme Court to consider a decision today from the Alaska Court of Appeals overturning Mechele Linehan's murder conviction. The reversal of the former Anchorage stripper's conviction, handed down around 9 a.m., concluded it was improper for Superior Court Judge Philip Volland to allow in two pieces of evidence into the trial.


http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/crime/stripper/story/1126105.html

Annette in Alaska

Suren said...

Mechele you are strong and you did it. This is great!

Celia Harrison said...

Justice from an Alaskan court, whoda thunk it. Congratulations to not only Ms. Lineahan, but the judges, the defense attorneys,and the people of Alaska who need some justice. I would like to think the Appelate Court for coordinating their ruling with my blog post for today.

http://frozenjustice.blogspot.com/2010/02/truthiness-and-injustice-for-all.html

beemodern said...

HAPPY! HAPPY!JOY!JOY!

Good news!!!!

This is huge because the justices reached a decision fast and unanimously.

Now, it is time to start hitting the press, public officials, and the prosecutor's office in writing, letting them know that Alaska, Anchorage, and the country expects them to make a responsible decision regarding their next move (instead of trying to save face at Mechele's expense). Public officials (and the press, most especially the Anchorage media and the Daily Olympian) need to start answering to the public, but they won't if we do not exercise our responsibility to hold them accountable.

beemodern said...

The messages of congratulatory support for Mechele, her family, and her friends, are so nice to read. (<:

Celia Harrison said...

Congratulations. I am pleased to see the appelate judges finally doing something about the manipulation of facts by the department of law in Alaska. I would also like to think the appelate court for coordinating their ruling with my blog post for today.

http://frozenjustice.blogspot.com/2010/02/truthiness-and-injustice-for-all.html

Richyrich said...

I hope she's out of jail and with her family as soon as possible! Thank GOD that someone in Alaska has some common sense!

uprivergirl said...

Michele I felt all along that you are innocent and was thrilled to hear today that your conviction was overturned by the court and will pray that you will be released soon to go home to your family. Hang in there.

uprivergirl said...

I'm so happy for you I kept going to your website

Anonymous said...

I have followed this case from afar (UK), I am delighted at the appeal court decision. Even though I can not be in possession of all the facts of the case, all my instincts tell me that this young lady should not have to spend virtually the rest of her life in prison. She does seem to be having to suffer a terrible punishment because of high-handed moral judgements of her lifestyle as a very young woman rather than anything else. How she could have been found guilty "beyond reasonable doubt" is a mystery to me. I hope that she is allowed to go home as soon as possible and that she is ultimately acquitted.

Alaskansheilah said...

KEEP THE FAITH!

Here's to Mechele walking out of prison here quite shortly!

I'm so sorry the Alaska justice system chose to even try Mechele in the first place.

GODSPEED!

Anonymous said...

Best news of the weekend! Yay!

~Sam E.

GJefferson said...

I was having computer issues when I heard the news and couldn't get into the account to post here. (Incredibly frustrating when you are wound up like that.)So, when I say "way cool", imagine I sound much more excited, okay? As I was. I really am happy for you all and continuing to hope for the best. :)

Unknown said...

Congrats Mechele. I have been following this for a long time. I know the system steriotypes women.I hope they set you free.