Tuesday, August 21, 2012

"Have you exhausted your appeals?" - D.J. of Chicago

No, not even close. The only case I have currently subject to appeal is the three Federal death sentences I received in 2008. I actually refused to file an appeal in that case. But, my attorneys (standby counsel; I was officially supposed to be representing myself at the time) filed an appeal notice on my behalf and without my express consent. I even wrote a letter to the judge telling him I had no intention or desire to appeal. So, he tried to block it, but my attorneys claimed he had no jurisdiction since the notice was filed in the appellate court, not his.

So, for the last several years both sides have been arguing in the appellate court over whether or not the appeal should be allowed or not. The actual appeal technically hasn't even begun yet, if it ever does.

In 2010 I formally notified the appellate court that I no longer objected to my attorneys efforts to appeal on my behalf. I still don't think that there should be an appeal, but neither do I think it should be my decision. So, I defer to counsel.

[Please check The Fifth Nail Exposed: Chronicles for the latest on my appeal status.]