INNOCENT IN A TEXAS PRISON: Petition for a Retrial for Prisoner Michael X. Smith

  • by: Citizens for Justice
  • recipient: Concerns Citizens, Wesleyan Innocence Project, Equal Justice Initiative, NAACP

SUMMARY POINTS  

Michael, an African American male, was given a life-sentence in prison by an all white jury on the basis of the testimony of a single eyewitness who changed his testimony during the court hearings. I have selections from the court transcripts and am happy to share those with interested parties. Additional documents are available as well, as we now have the official police report for Michael's case. (The police report shows inconsistencies in the charges against Michael. E.g., the eyewitness claims to have seen Michael on the streets of Dallas near a certain apartment complex when Michael was in fact in jail, having been booked for a bicycle theft on 12/10/1998.)

UPDATE: Michael received a letter on Oct. 10, 2013 from the 282nd District Court in Dallas stating that "the Court finds that controverted, previously unresolved facts material to the legality of the Applicant's confinement exist." Thus, the Court has recommended that these "controverted facts" and inconsistencies be further investigated, and they have appointed April E. Smith to resolve these issues! This is great news, as the State has finally admitted that there are problems with Michael's case.  

Now more than ever, given this breakthrough in Michael's case, we need  (1) a pro-bono attorney to represent Michael, and (2) we'd like to reacho our goal of 200 signatures for this petition so that we can help Michael to obtain a fair re-trial so that justice might truly be served.

Please take a few minutes to sign Michael's petition. He is simply requesting a re-trial for the opportunity to prove his innocence. If you so desire, you can select an option so that your name will not be shown publicly. 

PETITION DETAILS 

I have been corresponding with prisoner, Michael X. Smith, for over two years.  He is currently serving a life-sentence for a crime he claims he did not commit. He has asked me to create a petition page for him, and I have agreed, as I believe his case should be retried. The case is built on the testimony of a single eyewitness who changed his testimony during the court hearing.  If we can get at least 200 signatures, we will then present the petition to the Dallas District Attorney. Please take a few minutes of your free day to read Michael's story and sign the petition for a retrial. This is all he is asking for:  a retrial and the assistance of a pro-bono attorney to properly represent him and to present all the facts and evidence surrounding this case.  Your information is not distributed, and you have the option to have your signature hidden from public view. 


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