Hey all,
Thanks for continually checking in and seeing what is going on. As you can see, not a whole lot to report lately.
This coming Sunday, October 12th, is Mechele's birthday. It is also almost a year since her conviction. Please keep a special thought or prayer in mind for Mechele this weekend. We all appreciate it! If you'd like to do more, check the sidebar for ideas of ways to help.
Thank you all!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Thank You, Readers and Supporters. Update on Mechele
Hey everyone,
As many of you probably know, 48 Hours reran their segment on Mechele this weekend. I actually did not know what was going on until I saw that the hits on this site had jumped from around the usual of 75/day to 1300 within an hour! As of this writing, we've had over 5000 page loads this month, most of them coming from interest following 48 Hours.
Thank you to everyone who wrote in and commented with your support. It means so much to all of us in the middle of this crazy situation. We've been a little overwhelmed by the surprise outpouring, so I apologize that we have not been replying personally to all the fabulous comments. I have to say that reading them often brings tears to my eyes. I'm sending them all off to Mechele today. Thank you. Thank you.
I finally talked to Mechele yesterday after weeks of just missing each other. It is challenging for all of us when these shows are aired, but we are also grateful that it brings like-minded folks together with us to help us support Mechele in her journey to freedom. I think, as many others have voiced, that it is a story in need of telling, not only from the perspective of one woman and her family, but from the perspective of keeping our justice system to the ideals set forth in the beginning of our country. Namely, innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
I know in the beginning we talked about Mechele actually writing in to the blog and we have not done this yet. The reason we have not is that she is just not ready. She has been considering it and even told me at one point to start posting her letters to me. However, not only are those personal letters, but I am very cautious, as is Colin, and we want to make sure nothing could be used against her. Hence, the reason for the semi-silence. I may post a story she wrote to me that is not directly related to the case. We discussed this yesterday and agreed it might be a good way for her to connect without feeling intimidated by the whole process of writing to the world from jail. Some of us friends are also looking into writing up her story from the perspective her innocence (since that is really not the dominant story out there now) and submitting it to Justice Denied (The Magazine for theWrongly Convicted), who has graciously linked to us on their site.
Thank you to everyone who has sent books to Mechele. Since the inception of this blog in April, people have graciously sent her 53 items from Amazon. That is so wonderful. Thank you. Thank you.
Just to let you know what else is going on for her right now, in addition to reading, coloring, and drawing, Mechele has also been training dogs through a special program at Hiland and she has a job sewing uniforms. She is able to make a special order from a catalog in October, since it is her birthday month, and she plans to get a TV. Depending on how the appeal process goes, there are a number of different possible scenarios for when Mechele might be free. It is our greatest hope that she can be home next summer, even if it is just for awaiting a new trial. Please keep your thoughts and prayers focused on this goal so that it, or something better, can come into being for her.
Keep the faith!
As many of you probably know, 48 Hours reran their segment on Mechele this weekend. I actually did not know what was going on until I saw that the hits on this site had jumped from around the usual of 75/day to 1300 within an hour! As of this writing, we've had over 5000 page loads this month, most of them coming from interest following 48 Hours.
Thank you to everyone who wrote in and commented with your support. It means so much to all of us in the middle of this crazy situation. We've been a little overwhelmed by the surprise outpouring, so I apologize that we have not been replying personally to all the fabulous comments. I have to say that reading them often brings tears to my eyes. I'm sending them all off to Mechele today. Thank you. Thank you.
I finally talked to Mechele yesterday after weeks of just missing each other. It is challenging for all of us when these shows are aired, but we are also grateful that it brings like-minded folks together with us to help us support Mechele in her journey to freedom. I think, as many others have voiced, that it is a story in need of telling, not only from the perspective of one woman and her family, but from the perspective of keeping our justice system to the ideals set forth in the beginning of our country. Namely, innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
I know in the beginning we talked about Mechele actually writing in to the blog and we have not done this yet. The reason we have not is that she is just not ready. She has been considering it and even told me at one point to start posting her letters to me. However, not only are those personal letters, but I am very cautious, as is Colin, and we want to make sure nothing could be used against her. Hence, the reason for the semi-silence. I may post a story she wrote to me that is not directly related to the case. We discussed this yesterday and agreed it might be a good way for her to connect without feeling intimidated by the whole process of writing to the world from jail. Some of us friends are also looking into writing up her story from the perspective her innocence (since that is really not the dominant story out there now) and submitting it to Justice Denied (The Magazine for theWrongly Convicted), who has graciously linked to us on their site.
Thank you to everyone who has sent books to Mechele. Since the inception of this blog in April, people have graciously sent her 53 items from Amazon. That is so wonderful. Thank you. Thank you.
Just to let you know what else is going on for her right now, in addition to reading, coloring, and drawing, Mechele has also been training dogs through a special program at Hiland and she has a job sewing uniforms. She is able to make a special order from a catalog in October, since it is her birthday month, and she plans to get a TV. Depending on how the appeal process goes, there are a number of different possible scenarios for when Mechele might be free. It is our greatest hope that she can be home next summer, even if it is just for awaiting a new trial. Please keep your thoughts and prayers focused on this goal so that it, or something better, can come into being for her.
Keep the faith!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Hello Again
I was expecting to post more about the legal case shortly after I first posted on this site. It is a very difficulty time now to discuss legal issues about the trial without getting into appeal issues. The appeal is very much in high gear and Mechele’s attorneys are all very cautious. I have also had my plate full with many other issues and responsibilities. The main responsibilities I put front and center are being a father and husband.
I am not interested in fighting the important legal fight for justice by writing posts on our friend’s web log. However, I am also sick of the false Prosecution narrative concerning Mechele’s and my character being the majority understanding of this case. There were so many aspects to this trial that were very damning to the Prosecution, yet haven’t been told.
Some subjects I would like to address are audio files with statements that contradict the Prosecution’s theory. Also, the disingenuous testimony by Mr. Hilke should be examined. There are emails that the Prosecution didn’t show the jury that we expected the jury to read. Unfortunately, by their own statements to the press, the questions raised by the emails were not addressed. I also have witnessed unethical actions by the prosecution team and have a perspective on that misconduct. There are many other intricacies in the trial that don’t fit into a 2 minute sound bite on the evening news. I plan on presenting all this and more with documents and testimony. I was present during the entire hearing and have a unique perspective.
I would also love to get into the sentencing hearing that occurred. I was surprised by many things during this trial. After the sentencing hearing, nothing in this legal system could surprise me. Judge Volland actually stated, in support of his sentence, that Mechele’s association with John Carlin IV and Scott Hilke after the murder showed that she was “still” in contact with those “involved” in the murder of Kent Leppink. Interesting statement considering the State never once alleged that Carlin IV or Hilke were “involved” with the murder. Many other statements in the sentencing should and will be parsed with a future post. That particular post will be named “End-Result Reasoning”.
The appeal attorneys tell me that this is a very slow process. The velocity is accelerating. I will find the time to compose more posts in the future, but that particular velocity hasn’t accelerated. It will in the future, but my energy will be directed elsewhere for some time.
Thank you all for your outpouring of support and understanding.
Colin
I am not interested in fighting the important legal fight for justice by writing posts on our friend’s web log. However, I am also sick of the false Prosecution narrative concerning Mechele’s and my character being the majority understanding of this case. There were so many aspects to this trial that were very damning to the Prosecution, yet haven’t been told.
Some subjects I would like to address are audio files with statements that contradict the Prosecution’s theory. Also, the disingenuous testimony by Mr. Hilke should be examined. There are emails that the Prosecution didn’t show the jury that we expected the jury to read. Unfortunately, by their own statements to the press, the questions raised by the emails were not addressed. I also have witnessed unethical actions by the prosecution team and have a perspective on that misconduct. There are many other intricacies in the trial that don’t fit into a 2 minute sound bite on the evening news. I plan on presenting all this and more with documents and testimony. I was present during the entire hearing and have a unique perspective.
I would also love to get into the sentencing hearing that occurred. I was surprised by many things during this trial. After the sentencing hearing, nothing in this legal system could surprise me. Judge Volland actually stated, in support of his sentence, that Mechele’s association with John Carlin IV and Scott Hilke after the murder showed that she was “still” in contact with those “involved” in the murder of Kent Leppink. Interesting statement considering the State never once alleged that Carlin IV or Hilke were “involved” with the murder. Many other statements in the sentencing should and will be parsed with a future post. That particular post will be named “End-Result Reasoning”.
The appeal attorneys tell me that this is a very slow process. The velocity is accelerating. I will find the time to compose more posts in the future, but that particular velocity hasn’t accelerated. It will in the future, but my energy will be directed elsewhere for some time.
Thank you all for your outpouring of support and understanding.
Colin
Seems silent, things are happening
Hey all,
Sorry for the slow news days lately. I just want everyone out there to know, we greatly appreciate all your support, including all the comments, letters, books and donations. You are showing everyone that there is so much good in the world and that there are honest, decent, thinking people who are interested in true justice. Thank you. Family and friends and lawyers for Mechele are all working behind the scenes right now to get justice as quickly as possible.
One of the things we've been doing is a lot of research into who might be able to help Mechele at this point. It can get tricky as far as posting what is going on, because not only are things still in the works, but as we await appeal we want to make sure we don't do anything that could interfere with a great result.
The appeal is the first order of business, and if all goes well there, that will be the end of this already-too-long road. So, the best thing to do right now is to send all your prayers and good thoughts and good words out into the world for a speedy and just appeal to free Mechele.
It is also extremely important to let Mechele know we are behind her and are thinking of her daily. Keeping her spirits up is going to make a big difference in how she fares throughout this ordeal. (So far she is doing well enough, but there are certainly enough difficulties for her and some dark moments.) If you would like to send her your words of encouragement, feel free to post them here (and I will send them along) or you can send them to her at Hiland. If you are interested in other ways to help, please refer to the sidebar of this blog. Thank you SO much!
Thanks everyone, and keep the faith!
Sorry for the slow news days lately. I just want everyone out there to know, we greatly appreciate all your support, including all the comments, letters, books and donations. You are showing everyone that there is so much good in the world and that there are honest, decent, thinking people who are interested in true justice. Thank you. Family and friends and lawyers for Mechele are all working behind the scenes right now to get justice as quickly as possible.
One of the things we've been doing is a lot of research into who might be able to help Mechele at this point. It can get tricky as far as posting what is going on, because not only are things still in the works, but as we await appeal we want to make sure we don't do anything that could interfere with a great result.
The appeal is the first order of business, and if all goes well there, that will be the end of this already-too-long road. So, the best thing to do right now is to send all your prayers and good thoughts and good words out into the world for a speedy and just appeal to free Mechele.
It is also extremely important to let Mechele know we are behind her and are thinking of her daily. Keeping her spirits up is going to make a big difference in how she fares throughout this ordeal. (So far she is doing well enough, but there are certainly enough difficulties for her and some dark moments.) If you would like to send her your words of encouragement, feel free to post them here (and I will send them along) or you can send them to her at Hiland. If you are interested in other ways to help, please refer to the sidebar of this blog. Thank you SO much!
Thanks everyone, and keep the faith!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
The Giles Case: Good for Mechele's Case
This is slightly old news, but I just found a good article that describes the situation, so I figured I'd post it now.
A few months ago, the Supreme Court overturned the murder conviction of Dwayne Giles, ruling that allowing statements from the deceased victim to be used against the accused violates the defendant's right to confront the accuser.
Basically, the Supreme Court is saying that a dead person can't "testify" because he or she cannot be cross-examined. Although the ramifications for this sort of ruling are being questioned for domestic abuse cases, it is great for those of us who believe Mechele should be freed. The ruling sets a precedent saying that evidence such as Leppink's letter to his parents should be inadmissible because he cannot be questioned about it.
If you'd like to read more about the Giles case, go here.
A few months ago, the Supreme Court overturned the murder conviction of Dwayne Giles, ruling that allowing statements from the deceased victim to be used against the accused violates the defendant's right to confront the accuser.
Basically, the Supreme Court is saying that a dead person can't "testify" because he or she cannot be cross-examined. Although the ramifications for this sort of ruling are being questioned for domestic abuse cases, it is great for those of us who believe Mechele should be freed. The ruling sets a precedent saying that evidence such as Leppink's letter to his parents should be inadmissible because he cannot be questioned about it.
If you'd like to read more about the Giles case, go here.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Honi Martin's Reactions to Lora Aspiotis' Dateline Interview
from Honi Martin:
"I do not wish to come aross as attacking Ms. Aspiotis in any way, but I feel it is important that I counter some of the comments being made by her. Being that I lived with Mechele, I see things differently and feel it is important that I stand behind Mechele. After viewing my interview and Ms. Aspiotis', I was amazed at the differences and sincerity that appeared to be lacking in hers. Her interview appeared to be a string of calculated comments that were meant to get even with Mechele.
I had to ask myself, why would our interviews be so different? One of the things that stands out in my mind while I was dancing was how jealous another girl could become if she saw you as direct competition. Things could get downright nasty if a customer dropped one girl for another.
I may have to have my facts checked and forgive me if I'm wrong but, I believe it was brought out in Mechele's trial, that Ms. Aspiotis stated in her diary how much she hated Mechele. On the witness stand, she stated that she was a friend of Mechele's and had watched movies with her. To make one point clear, she never watched the infamous movie "The Last Seduction" with Mechele. This is a movie that Ms. Aspiotis saw with her husband, not Mechele. I also would like to state, that if this movie was so important to Mechele, why did I, her roomate, never hear her even speak of it? Yes, I would have to say that there are definite contradictions to Ms. Aspiotis' interview.
Back when I lived with Mechele, she was not a 'hard core animal activist', but a girl who loved dogs and birds. I think that it is laughable that a good percentage of the population in Alaska wears animal furs for warmth or leather shoes on their feet. Why can't a person wear these types of clothing and still love their pets.
The one thing that I agree 100% with is that Ms. Aspiotis stated that Mechele was not romantic with Kent! She wasn't and that is because they were not romantically involved. I've been saying this all along that TT was just a customer who had become a friend - but, he was still, just a friend. I have said this again and again, Mechele's relationship with TT was not romantic. He was never referred to as a boyfriend or lover. They never kissed or hugged or even held hands.
I thank you for pointing this out Ms. Aspiotis. TT himself could never have been confused about where he stood with Mechele. The lack of affection should have made it clear. What TT was, was obsessed. I even pointed this out to Mechele that he was obsessed with her. She thought hat I was over-reacting. I believe Mechele finally realized this much later on and was simply trying to break ties with him. TT's behavior was bizarre to me. He came over to our house to take care of our dogs while we were at work. He took it upon himself to vacuum, clean and cook while we were away. Almost, as if he were pretending to live there. I would have to say that most of the men that I met in the club that were frequent customers were a bit strange. Think about it, a man who comes night after night to sit and watch his favorite girl dance naked for him is kind of odd. Not only is it expensive, it is an addiction just like gambling or alcohol. There is something socially wrong with someone who has no other life than that of an adult club.
Lora points out that Mechele worked nonstop and in fact she did. Mechele worked hard so that she could save for her future education. Gold-diggers hope for money to fall into their lap whereas people who work hard for their money do not. Mechele was not neglecting a child or family by being at work. She was working for her future. Mechele didn't spend money on drugs or alcohol. This is one of the things that each and every dancer is faced with at some point in their job. Alcohol is served at their place of work. Drugs as well, are not hard to come by. I admire the fortitude she showed when staying away from the darker side of a dancer's lifestyle.
If Mechele was an actress, in Ms. Aspiotis' words, what was she? I don't believe any of the dancers within the club went by their birth names. A dancer relies on anonymity in order to protect themselves. Not all of the customers who come in the door are nice people. A customer who comes into the club is looking for something different. I expect Ms. Aspiotis was an actress herself when she was at the club. I don't expect she dressed the same way in the grocery store as she did at work.
In the end I believe Ms. Aspiotis has a long-standing grudge and is trying to get even. Sad as this may be, I don't know what else to think."
"I do not wish to come aross as attacking Ms. Aspiotis in any way, but I feel it is important that I counter some of the comments being made by her. Being that I lived with Mechele, I see things differently and feel it is important that I stand behind Mechele. After viewing my interview and Ms. Aspiotis', I was amazed at the differences and sincerity that appeared to be lacking in hers. Her interview appeared to be a string of calculated comments that were meant to get even with Mechele.
I had to ask myself, why would our interviews be so different? One of the things that stands out in my mind while I was dancing was how jealous another girl could become if she saw you as direct competition. Things could get downright nasty if a customer dropped one girl for another.
I may have to have my facts checked and forgive me if I'm wrong but, I believe it was brought out in Mechele's trial, that Ms. Aspiotis stated in her diary how much she hated Mechele. On the witness stand, she stated that she was a friend of Mechele's and had watched movies with her. To make one point clear, she never watched the infamous movie "The Last Seduction" with Mechele. This is a movie that Ms. Aspiotis saw with her husband, not Mechele. I also would like to state, that if this movie was so important to Mechele, why did I, her roomate, never hear her even speak of it? Yes, I would have to say that there are definite contradictions to Ms. Aspiotis' interview.
Back when I lived with Mechele, she was not a 'hard core animal activist', but a girl who loved dogs and birds. I think that it is laughable that a good percentage of the population in Alaska wears animal furs for warmth or leather shoes on their feet. Why can't a person wear these types of clothing and still love their pets.
The one thing that I agree 100% with is that Ms. Aspiotis stated that Mechele was not romantic with Kent! She wasn't and that is because they were not romantically involved. I've been saying this all along that TT was just a customer who had become a friend - but, he was still, just a friend. I have said this again and again, Mechele's relationship with TT was not romantic. He was never referred to as a boyfriend or lover. They never kissed or hugged or even held hands.
I thank you for pointing this out Ms. Aspiotis. TT himself could never have been confused about where he stood with Mechele. The lack of affection should have made it clear. What TT was, was obsessed. I even pointed this out to Mechele that he was obsessed with her. She thought hat I was over-reacting. I believe Mechele finally realized this much later on and was simply trying to break ties with him. TT's behavior was bizarre to me. He came over to our house to take care of our dogs while we were at work. He took it upon himself to vacuum, clean and cook while we were away. Almost, as if he were pretending to live there. I would have to say that most of the men that I met in the club that were frequent customers were a bit strange. Think about it, a man who comes night after night to sit and watch his favorite girl dance naked for him is kind of odd. Not only is it expensive, it is an addiction just like gambling or alcohol. There is something socially wrong with someone who has no other life than that of an adult club.
Lora points out that Mechele worked nonstop and in fact she did. Mechele worked hard so that she could save for her future education. Gold-diggers hope for money to fall into their lap whereas people who work hard for their money do not. Mechele was not neglecting a child or family by being at work. She was working for her future. Mechele didn't spend money on drugs or alcohol. This is one of the things that each and every dancer is faced with at some point in their job. Alcohol is served at their place of work. Drugs as well, are not hard to come by. I admire the fortitude she showed when staying away from the darker side of a dancer's lifestyle.
If Mechele was an actress, in Ms. Aspiotis' words, what was she? I don't believe any of the dancers within the club went by their birth names. A dancer relies on anonymity in order to protect themselves. Not all of the customers who come in the door are nice people. A customer who comes into the club is looking for something different. I expect Ms. Aspiotis was an actress herself when she was at the club. I don't expect she dressed the same way in the grocery store as she did at work.
In the end I believe Ms. Aspiotis has a long-standing grudge and is trying to get even. Sad as this may be, I don't know what else to think."
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Clips of Honi's Dateline Interview
The Dateline site has added some video clips to their website. I believe these are extra clips that did not make it into the actual show.
To see video testimony from Honi Martin, a friend of Mechele's while she lived in Anchorage, go here.
To see video testimony from Honi Martin, a friend of Mechele's while she lived in Anchorage, go here.
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