David Moran, University of Michigan law professor and co-founder of the Michigan Innocence Project, is working diligently to recognize and reach out to the wrongly convicted.
A variation of the well-know Innocence Project, founded by Barry Scheck, Moran's Innocence Project is based less upon scientific evidence and more on jailhouse snitches, lazy lawyers, shady cops and overlooked evidence.
Only 5 to 10% of all criminal cases involve
biological evidence that could be subjected to DNA testing.
Moran's Michigan Innocence Project is accepted as part of the Innocence Network, a national
organization of groups investigating and overturning wrongful
convictions.
Cornel West, the scholar, public intellectual, philosopher, critic, pastor, and civil rights activist, recently offered his name in support of Paul Cortez. The PCDF offers sincere gratitude and appreciation to West for taking the time to examine the horrible injustice of Paul's case, and for lending his name to our growing list of influential supporters. (coming soon...)
West is the
recipient of over 20 honorary degrees and the American Book Award. He is also a highly sought-after speaker, commentator, and honorary
chair. West remains a widely cited scholar in the popular press, in
African-American Studies, and in studies of Black theology. His classic works,
Race Matters and Democracy Matters, were both national bestsellers. His
new book, HOPE ON A TIGHTROPE: Words & Wisdom, was published
on November 1, 2008, by SmileyBooks.
West is famous for his union of political and moral insight and criticism and his involvement in the post-1960s civil rights movement. The bulk of his work focuses upon the role of race, gender, and class
in American society and the means by which people act and react to
their “radical conditionedness." West draws intellectual contributions
from such diverse traditions as the African American Baptist Church, pragmatism and transcendentalism.
West currently serves as the Class of 1943 University Professor at Princeton University, where he teaches in the Center for African American Studies.
The Paul Cortez Defense Fund recently released a one-page synopsis of Paul's life, the facts surrounding his wrongful conviction, and the fight for his rightful freedom. This pdf document can easily be printed out and distributed as a poster or flier - or to simply keep in a briefcase should you need to show an interested party over lunch.
The number of wrongful convictions is on the rise. We have the tools and the tests to protect people, but they are often ignored. No one is immune to being falsely accused. Please understand it is much easier to fight the system of corruption before someone you know and love is wrongfully convicted and left without resources. Please support the new facebook cause to seek justice for Paul Cortez - and ultimately - justice for us all. Now is the time to get involved.
"In Germany, they first came for the Communists, And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
And then they came for the Trade Unionists, And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Trade Unionist.
And then they came for the Jews, And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
And then....they came for me......and by that time there was no one left to speak up."
------- Niemoller
We are excited to announce that "Free Paul Cortez" American Apparel t-shirts are now available on our online store www.shop.freepaulcortez.org.100% of your purchase will go towards Paul's legal expenses. Please join us in our battle by proudly displaying your support for Paul during this horrible injustice. Thank you for your continued support. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery.
Update: The Help Free Paul Cortez Facebook Page was "re-launched" successfully. Please Click here to join. (All members have been transferred.)
We recently launched a new facebook page to better keep supporters informed and connected to Paul's case and his journey to an appeal. Though we had a "group" on facebook, we are phasing it out in place of a specific profile page for Paul. Our facebook page will be used in correlation with this website to rally as much support as possible during this critical time needed to hire and fund forensic and DNA experts. If you are a member of facebook, please add us to your friend list, and help us by spreading the word to your own friends. If you are not already a facebook member, please consider joining - it only takes a few moments. Thank you so much for your support!
The Johnsonville News, a popular news blog reporting stories of "Truth, Justice, Liberty, and Humanity," retracted its initial stance on the Paul Cortez case in today's detailed story, "The Catherine Woods Case: was Paul Cortez imprisoned for a murder he did not commit?"
"Looking back at this murder case after two years, with some lessons learned from the Duke case, it now seems possible to believe that the New York DA, police, and their media enablers may have railroaded Paul Cortez....Therefore given all these circumstances and knowing something about the case, it now seems fair and just that Paul Cortez be given an appeal as soon as possible."
On Thursday, September 4th, an Animal Rights and Societal Blog featured a story on Paul Cortez entitled: "Prisoner is Victim of Injustice, Incompetence, and Slander."
He writes: "From everything I can tell, Paul Cortez is an innocent, honest, decent, and moral individual who has been incarcerated for nearly a thousand days due to a deeply compromised legal system and a shameless media that is blinded by greed."
An anonymous donor recently launched a new fund raising challenge to maximize the efforts of Paul Cortez supporters: up to $500 of any donations received will be doubled and put into a special escrow account being used for forensic experts in Paul's appeal.
Inspired by Judith's Tucker's fund raising challenges earlier this summer, this donor wrote:
"Following the wonderful example of Judith and Glenn Tucker (who I do
not know, but whose generosity I admire), I will sponsor a challenge for
$500.00 to fight for justice. In this fight for justice for Paul
Cortez, we should realize that we are not only defending him but our
constitution, since access to justice should be a fundamental right
offered to all our citizens.
'There is a wonderful mythical law of
nature that the three things we crave most in life -- happiness,
freedom, and peace of mind -- are always attained by giving them to
someone else.'
I urge all fair minded caring people to get involved and give to the fund so this man can defend himself properly and hopefully gain his freedom.
Please mention the challenge when you donate through the website buttons or via check to the Paul Cortez Defense Fund, PO Box 94, NY NY 10021 so I can match those donations up to the $500.00 amount."
An interesting article was recently released in the New York Times highlighting the study of faulty scientific evidence used to wrongfully convict people in the United States.
The Innocence Project (a nationally recognized organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted people through DNA testing) reports that a staggering 50% of their overturned cases were due to inaccurate evidence.
Author John Tierney points out that the root of this corruption is due to the absence of an independent agency to which experts, technicians, judges, etc., must report. Instead, their "findings" all fall under a single, unchecked, agenda-filled umbrella: the government.
Tierney writes: "Some of the horror stories are due to corrupt forensic scientists, but even the most honest and competent ones are vulnerable to cognitive bias when they observe, record and evaluate data. One of the major contributors to bias is that most of the people gathering and evaluating evidence work either for the government (they’re seen as part of the prosecution’s team) or for laboratories that depend on contracts awarded by the government."
Please click here to read more.
In March, 2008, Paul Cortez made the life-long decision to become Vegan. He explores the reasons behind this important decision in a 22 page letter, in which he describes his experiences throughout his ordeal and current life in prison. We recently posted his letter on the website, to share with friends and supporters of Paul. To read his letter, please click here. Thank you.
Judith Tucker, upon celebrating her 61st birthday, has added $610 to her current $1000 fund raising challenge.
She and husband Glenn, supporters of Paul Cortez, initiated their first challenge on July 1st of this month, wherein any donations up to $1000 was matched in full. The money raised is dedicated to a specifically established escrow fund for forensic testing, which is necessary for Paul's appeal.
Judith wrote: "The appeals process is time limited...we all think somehow that DNA testing and evidence gathering is an instant process. It is not. It is time consuming and costly. The court system does not allow for an open-ended process...This young man Paul Cortez and his family and friends, Catherine Woods and her family and friends need to see a fair trial that will set all doubts to rest."
After the great success of the first challenge, Judith quickly set forth an additional $1000, which remains available for matching donations. Recently, in celebration of her 61st birthday, she generously added a symbolic $610 to the account.
"It is in gratitude for my sons who are free to pursue their scientific research and music careers, and for my husband, on the verge of retirement so he can be freer to teach and practice yoga to his heart's content.
May your hearts open to share the abundance in your lives while the $1610 is available to double your donation. Let the full truth come out in the form of a thorough investigation and hard evidence gathering and testing. Isn't that what should have happened the first time? Let's make sure it happens on appeal!"
Time for an appeal is running out, and we are desperately in need of funding! What a wonderful opportunity to double your donations. Heartfelt gratitude goes out to Judith and Glenn for their continued support! (When donating, be sure to mention that you are responding to Judith's challenge.)
Recently, a supporter of Paul Cortez wrote an editorial piece that was accepted by the "Conservative Voice," a popular news and opinion site dedicated to Faith, Family, Freedom.
The Conservative Voice was founded by Nathan Tabor. Nathan writes a weekly column, regularly appears on radio and is author of the book "Beast On The East River" (Thomas Nelson Publishing). Nathan received his BA in psychology from St. Andrews Presbyterian College and his MA in public policy from Regent University.
This editorial piece is a prime example of how other supporters and volunteers can help to spread the word about Paul Cortez's horrific injustice.
This article is no longer online...please click below to download.
Paul Cortez's recent letter to the editor of the Hispanic Vista is now featured on their site. Hispanic Vista is a magazine which dedicates itself to exploring political and social issues pertaining to the lives of American Hispanics.
Paul wrote this letter in response to an article written by Hispanic Vista Editor, Sal Osio, entitled Absolute Immunity, in which Mr. Osio Osio explored the doctrine of absolute immunity; the result of which provides criminal prosecutors and judges exemption from any legal responsibility, despite malicious intent or shoddy performance.
Because of this absolute freedom granted to people in positions of power, many innocent victims are thrown by the wayside and left without recourse to legally right themselves.
Sal Osio and his brother Patrick Osio (Editor of Hispanic Vista) are supporters for justice in Paul Cortez’s case.
Paul's letter, written in recognition and appreciation of Mr. Osio's article, is now featured on the Hispanic Vista website, under "Letter to the Editor." Below is a copy:
Five songs are now available (free) on the Music, Art & Poetry section of this website. This collection of music was performed by Paul Cortez when was the lead singer in a popular NYC rock band. All lyrics, melody, and co-arrangement are by Paul. Please take a moment to listen!
"Like every other New Yorker who followed Paul's case in the tabloids,
I assumed it was an open and shut case and that justice was done with
his conviction. However, as anyone knows who deals with the tabloid
media, sides are quickly taken and objective journalism is not exactly
of paramount importance. A mere reading of the record of the trial
makes clear to any experienced attorney that a major miscarriage of
justice occurred here. It screams from the pages over and over again.
In the haste to pin this awful murder of a beautiful young woman on
someone -- anyone -- justice was perverted and an innocent man rots in
a tiny jail cell. And no one has stood up and tried to stop this. I
took this case to ensure that Paul receive the justice that he deserves
and that his life is not simply thrown away. He deserves nothing less.
Our judicial system deserves nothing less."
Unfortunately,
even with a top-notch like Jeffrey Licthman spearheading the case, Paul
still needs help to afford the necessary forensic analysis and DNA
testing. Please consider donating to Paul’s defense fund - even the
smallest donation helps a great deal - so that he can finally begin to
put this nightmare behind him.
Grace
Elting Castle, editor of PI
Magazine, retired professional investigator, and former Executive Managing Director and
Sal Osio, publisher of HispanicVista.com, referenced the Paul Cortez case again in his article, Guilty -- Unless Proven Innocent.
In an excerpt from his article, Osio writes: "Guilt beyond a reasonable doubt clearly means that if there is any credible evidence that would support a finding of innocence, the Trier of fact, judge or juror, must find an accused not guilty. In practice, however, the system works in reverse. Any credible proof, even circumstantial, is sufficient to support a guilty verdict in contemplation of law. For instance, take the case of Paul Cortez who was found guilty in New York for the murder of his ex-girlfriend. The prosecutor introduced fingerprints of Mr. Cortez found in the victim’s apartment, as evidence of his guilt. Surely, such evidence does not reasonably prove any crime. After all, what is so strange about a boy friend’s fingerprints all over his girlfriend’s apartment? Was he expected to wear gloves?"
Please click here to read the full article.
Sal Osio, Publisher and CEO of the online publication Hispanic Vista, also recently cited Paul Cortez’s case in his article, Absolute Immunity.
In this article, Osio explores the doctrine of absolute immunity; the result of which provides criminal prosecutors and judges exemption from any legal responsibility, despite malicious intent or shoddy performance.
Because of this absolute freedom granted to people in positions of power, many innocent victims are thrown by the wayside and left without recourse to legally right themselves.
Sal Osio and his brother Patrick Osio (Editor of Hispanic Vista) are supporters for justice in Paul Cortez’s case. Please click here to read Sal Osio’s illuminating article.
Welcome to the new Paul Cortez Defense Fund Blog. As this page is designed to be more interactive and inclusive, please feel free to post any questions or comments should you read an update that piques your interest.
We are confident that by switching to this new format we will better able to share media files and keep interested parties better informed of the latest news in Paul's appeal.
We
have recently added an online store to the website, where Paul’s music
may be downloaded and merchandise purchased. In the coming weeks, we
will be adding additional items to the online store in our continual
efforts to raise funds for Paul’s appeal.
100% of money received from the shopping cart will go directly to Paul’s defense fund. Please go to: www.shop.freepaulcortez.org to visit our store.
We recently added two more of Paul’s songs to the website, under the “About Paul” section. These two songs, Battleground, and Samsara, were written and performed (including all musical instruments) by Paul.
We will soon offer downloads of these (and additional) songs. Paul’s band often performed his songs at many hot Manhattan venues like Arlene’s Grocery, Don’s Hill, and the Continental.
One of the nation’s top appellate attorneys, Marc Fernich recently pledged to support Paul’s case and join the legal team led by Jeffrey Lichtman.
"Having reviewed the trial record and discovery, and after my own investigation of the facts, I am firmly convinced of Paul's innocence and will work tirelessly to clear his name,” he said.
Support of prominent people like Marc Fernich is wonderful and hopeful news during this long battle to win Paul’s rightful freedom. Still, because of the forensic and DNA testing necessary for his appeal, the financial hurdles of Paul’s appeal remain in the six-figure range.
Many people have asked, “Why can’t a lawyer take on Paul’s case on a pro-bono basis”Paul's appeal is a massive endeavor, as our legal process is a very long, drawn out process. Premier attorneys can expect to commit the next few years and several thousand hours to such a huge battle, as well as substantial out-of-pocket expenses associated with such a legal process. In fact, the lawyers involved with Paul’s case have already generously reduced their rates in order to better aid Paul’s fight for freedom.
If you have any questions or comments, we welcome you to post on our message board.
We added a link to the Volunteer
section which allows you to print out brochures. Leaving a stack of
brochures around your local coffee shop, library, or other public place
will greatly increase awareness of Paul’s fight for justice!
We all have a spectrum of ability to help those in need; unfortunately, Paul’s need comes in the form of legal fees. If you are unable to donate financially, even hanging a single flyer has the tremendous potential to reach many different people - which, in turn - could be the very catalyst for the Paul’s freedom.
(Don’t forget that we are also members of the Facebook community!)
The Paul Cortez
Defense Fund, Inc. is asking for auction items to sell on eBay in order
to raise money for Paul’s appeal. (100% of the proceeds will go to
Paul’s defense fund.)
If you have any items such (working or broken) computers, cameras, phones, brand name clothing, antiques, jewelry, or collectables, please email: paulcortezdefensefund@hotmail.com for further shipping information.
Any donation is appreciated!
We’ve just added a new Media
section in order to discuss the newspaper headlines and articles found
when typing “Paul Cortez” into an internet search engine. We present
the same articles that prominently displayed all over New York City
before, during, and after Paul’s trial.
It is so easy to believe the tabloids, but it only takes a few minutes to read the real facts and answers to all of the negative press, spun in the favor of a juicy media story in place of the truth. Every so called “fact” that the media presents has a logical and truthful explanation. If you feel as though there are still unanswered questions, we encourage you to post on our message boards!
Many of you have asked us to create a forum where questions can be asked and discussed regarding Paul Cortez's case. In response, we are excited to launch a new message board!
We added a link to the Volunteer section which allows you to print out flyers. Hanging even a few of these flyers will greatly increase awareness of Paul’s fight for justice!
We
all have a spectrum of ability to help those in need; unfortunately,
Paul’s need comes in the form of legal fees. If you are unable to
donate financially, even hanging a single flyer has the tremendous
potential to reach many different people - which, in turn - could be
the very catalyst for the Paul’s freedom.
One never knows how the intricate web of coincidence will find its way to individuals who might be able to significantly aid in this battle. We thank you in advance for your support.
