Valery, I just read your 2/21 message seeking support for Ann Smith.  As
one who had a rude awakening when confronted with the injustice of the
system, I have some encouragement and advice for her.
Dear Ann:
First, as no doubt Valery has told you, please know that you are NOT ALONE!
Believe it or not, you are more fortunate than many who face wrongful
accusations because you have Valery, and now because Valery has connected
you to the on line world, you will get far more support than most got--
including me.
When our tragedy first happened (our daughter's baby was fatally abused
by the father in secret; she knew absolutely nothing, yet she was sentenced
to life with parole plus 20 years) we knew no one, and we had no computer
(nor did it occur to us that a computer would help us).  What I want to
tell you is what I wish someone had told me: it's possible that we may
have fought our wrongful charges more successfully.
GET ON LINE!  There's a wealth of information out there, and the sooner
you start learning, the better.  Yes, contact the people who post to BBS
forums like this one: also get an Internet account and subscribe to a
forum called "Witch Hunt."  Valery should be able to help you with this;
if not, I will.
DO NOT BLINDLY TRUST ANY LAWYER!  Inform yourself!  Looking back, I know
the lawyers we had *smelled* our insecurity, fear, anxiety, and our
potential for lining their pockets.  The lawyers we hired for our daughter
treated us like children who could be told what to do, and where to go.
**Do Not Stand For That Kind Of Treatment**!  You may have to beat the
bushes, but be sure you have a lawyer who works _With_ you.  Can't stress
this enough.
READ THE LAWS:  I'm poor about this, for legal libraries intimidate me
and I need an interpreter, But, Please pore over the laws so that you
understand what's happening.  Do not rely on lawyers to educate you in
the law (unless you get a caring, sharp lawyer--even then, check them
out).  It IS work, but it is more work later if something is missed
that could make a difference.
DO SOMETHING:  This is very important.  You need to know that _you_ are
doing everything you can to help.  Ask questions, demand answers.  I was
a victim of my own "genteel" upbringing--feeling that justice would
triumph because people would see through to the truth--and I hated being
confrontative.  I am still learning to confront (not nastily, but
insistently).
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH ENCOURAGERS:  There will be those who paint the
worst scenarios for you, and some of those bad results may, indeed, be
possible.  However, you will *not* do your best operating from fear.
Some people can examine bad possible scenarios *and* come up with
ideas which may head them off.  You need your wits about you, and your
mental alertness is not helped by fear.  This leads to...
FUNCTION FROM STRENGTH.  No one functions well from a defeated position.
I discovered at some point that I had to set everything aside--tears,
fear, self-pity (and even pity for my grief-stricken, beloved daughter),
yes, and even anger--so I could have the energy and heart to fight. I
made up a phrase to use on and for ourselves:  We cannot function from
devastation, so we choose to function from hope and strength!  **That**
attitude has been a strength to all of us.  For us, too, looking to God
at every moment, has been our Rock.  Some people say, "If God exists,
why would He let this happen to me?"  Well, as far as I'm concerned,
God does exist, and the answer to why evil befalls us is written in The
Word: God gave us free will, and most people don't operate within God's
perfect will, and we live with the consequences of that.  As far as we
can tell, God has been helping us: my daughter, in prison, surrounded
by Lesbians, gossips, and people in emotional trouble, has been an
"inside" light.  Two separate ladies who minister there, in an unusual
act, called to tell me that they were so impressed with our girl: that
everyone had come to respect her, that she had brought many other women
to Christ, and that her presence inside has lifted the whole place
because, even though she still grieves over her baby, she reaches out
to help others.
As for us: we've had to GROW.  We are back-to-the-land people whose
only cause before was the environment and organic gardening.  I've had
to learn about the law, computers, corrupt government, and activism in
a completely different sphere.  My husband, Chip, has become an informal
"father" to other women in prison my daughter asks us to help.  He's
not my daughter's father, yet he has rallied to her with all that's in
him, providing her with money, love and activism on her behalf.  We are
devoted to making our tragedy count for the good; to give God glory
and stomp Satan every chance we get.  You may not be of our persuasion,
and thus may not relate to some of what I say, but please extract from
here whatever can help you.
KEEP A LOG!  Write down everything.  If you're not organized, get organized!
Very important.  We didn't start pulling everything together until late in
the process.  Don't rely on your memory.  No matter how good it is, it's
no substitute for written records.  You may need all of this.
A CONTACT FOR YOU:
       Ken Pangborn--Men International
       3980 Orchard Hill Circle
       Palm Harbor, FL. 34684
       (813) 786-6911
       Ken.pangborn@mercopus.com
       Ken.Pangborn@20.mechanic.fidonet.org
These people take an "A-Team" approach for false sex abuse allegations.
They boast that they get 80% of their cases dismissed before trial.
Ann, I hope I've helped even a little.  I've written out of the passion
of our own tragedy, and haven't thought this letter out for appropriateness.
If I've seemed teachy, preachy, or anything else offensive, just overlook
it and accept whatever can help: after sifting out, you will find that
I'm only trying to pass on some knowledge and wisdom for which we paid
dearly with lost years, seas of tears, and money.  It's the best gift we
can give you for now: hope and knowledge.  I made this up: If you can't
destroy our hope, you can't prevent our victory!
From one who knows something of what you're going through,
Love, Clara T. Boggs
 * Evaluation copy of Silver Xpress. Day # 55
 * Silver Xpress V4.01
--- Maximus 2.01wb
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