SAVE innocent prisoners
whose death sentence was commuted to life
8300 prisoners have been sentenced to death in the USA between 1973 and 2011. Nearly half of them (47.5%) have been removed from death row, because their sentence may have been either overturned or commuted - see Table 16 of the BIS Statistics).
Example: John Curtis Dewberry, juvenile at the time of the crime, re-sentenced to life in prison
John Dewberry was one of the 71 juveniles on death row as of 31/12/2004.
On March 1st, 2005, the United States Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that executing juveniles is unconstitutional under Roper v Simmons. Being John was only 17 years old, a child, at the time he was arrested and sentenced to death, his death sentence was commuted to life. On June 22, 2005 he was moved off Death Row to general population. BUT the fight of John´s life is not over: He has always maintained his innocence, he wants a chance to rebuild his life.
WATCH HERE new documentary in french on John Dewberry (October 2015): The Dewberry brothers’ case : on the trail of the secrets (English Subtitles)
LISTEN below to an audio recorded message John Dewberry telling his story
Case summary
John Curtis Dewberry was convicted of the murder of Mr ER, who was found dead by his sister Ginger at his residence in Beaumont Texas on December 25, 1994. He had been beaten up, strangled, and shot multiple times in the head. Mr ER was a very prominent citizen in Beaumont. He was the Dean of Records and Admissions (registrar) in Lamar University, Beaumont. He was also very active in community functions, especially the Young Men's Business League. Letters found in Mr ER.'s home, along with more than 150 video tapes and 52 magazines, indicated an alternative lifestyle of homosexual activity, rumored with young boys.
John Curtis Dewberry was convicted with the help of a testimony, from the State's primary witness, MK. John Dewberry has since submitted affidavits which show that MK's testimony was false, and it was highly important to the state's case. His defense also contends that the State failed to disclose exculpatory information and that John Dewberry was deprived of the opportunity to raise critical issues in a motion for a new trial.
John Dewberry's supporters believe that the following points towards his innocence:
In addition:
. The police found a gray security box with about $36000 in savings bonds, and other items left behind by the perpetrators which would be considered items that a thief would have taken.
. Five of the jurors knew the victim (two of them are husband and wife). The jury foreman was a member of the same organizations in that the victim was.
Find out more
John Curtis Dewberry was convicted of the murder of Mr ER, who was found dead by his sister Ginger at his residence in Beaumont Texas on December 25, 1994. He had been beaten up, strangled, and shot multiple times in the head. Mr ER was a very prominent citizen in Beaumont. He was the Dean of Records and Admissions (registrar) in Lamar University, Beaumont. He was also very active in community functions, especially the Young Men's Business League. Letters found in Mr ER.'s home, along with more than 150 video tapes and 52 magazines, indicated an alternative lifestyle of homosexual activity, rumored with young boys.
John Curtis Dewberry was convicted with the help of a testimony, from the State's primary witness, MK. John Dewberry has since submitted affidavits which show that MK's testimony was false, and it was highly important to the state's case. His defense also contends that the State failed to disclose exculpatory information and that John Dewberry was deprived of the opportunity to raise critical issues in a motion for a new trial.
John Dewberry's supporters believe that the following points towards his innocence:
- 2 days after the discovery of the body, December 27th, Mr E.R's pickup truck was found abandoned at a shopping center in Vidor, Texas. None of Mr.Dewberry's fingerprints were found on the truck or at the house of E.R. In addition, a pubic hair was found in the victim's pocket, which did not match Mr Dewberry. The detective stated that the hair was not tested on anyone else.
- The Police Department confiscated 150 video tapes and letters. The videotapes and letters were taken by police officers. And they were later turned
over to the victim's sister, who destroyed them. The defense never had an opportunity to inspect this evidence. - Also found was was a written hand note left stating : "Nothing illegal or wrong happened while at E.R's house" and it was not signed . No tests were apparently run on it to find out whose hand writing it was.
- There was also evidence missing out of the police property room. For example: a desk calendar for 90' , 92', 93' , 94' and the last month Mr E.R was alive of December was torn out , missing. Also a pocket calendar was produced and the last month Mr E.R. was alive of December 1994 was torn out of this one too.
- End of December 1994 , the state key witness MK got arrested in Louisiana . It came out that his charges (felonies) were dropped and he got out the day John was arrested on the 3rd of January
- The alleged murder weapon and some stolen property were given to the police by another man after police arrested him.
In addition:
. The police found a gray security box with about $36000 in savings bonds, and other items left behind by the perpetrators which would be considered items that a thief would have taken.
. Five of the jurors knew the victim (two of them are husband and wife). The jury foreman was a member of the same organizations in that the victim was.
Find out more
What John Dewberry says
Listen to this audio plea from John Dewberry.
Listen to this audio plea from John Dewberry.
I remember I was continuously asking to speak to my father cause iIwas confused
and didn't know what to do.
I remember being in a small room for I don't know how long. I remember I was crying and leaning forward putting my head on my knees a lot, seeing different people's faces, seeing double of everything .They said all I was saying over and over is " i want to call my dad " . I was only a 17 years old kid at the time . I remember that Detective telling me that as soon as we finished in there i could see me dad , "so sign right here and I'll send you your dad ". I don't remember signing nothing but I do remember my dad and step-mom and my step-mom coming in and was crying and hugging me , asking me if I realized what I had signed.
Find out more
John Dewberry #1306204
Ellis Unit
1697 Farm to Market Road 980
Huntsville, TX 77343, USA
or
Send him an Email on jpay.com
Please don't forget to add your snail mail address on your jpay. Otherwise John won't be able to reply on your messages.
