InnocentManWalking.org

Steven's Update

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 06:45:00 -0700

Due to the current economy I will need another year to complete this project.As many of you know, I am funding this project completely on my own. With the current economy, this has been quite a challenge. Therefore, I will need to take off at least one additional year to make some money to complete the cross-country journey. As you no Ihave already completed over 500 miles and i no what it is going to take to get this none so Please wish and pray that I have a profitable 2010 so that this important work can be completed. Additionally, I am struggling with the added prounds that go with a sluggish economy - I am working on this as well. I will keep you all updated regularly. Let's all have a positive 2010! IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING, PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP.

THE RUN

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 08:13:00 -0700

THE RUN MANNNMAN IT HARD GET BACK TO RUNNING ATFER NOT DOING ANY THING FOR A YEAR YESTERDAY I DID 2.75 MILES AND I THOUGHT I WAS DYING TODAY IS SUNDAY AND I HOPE IT BETTER THEN YESTERDAY

Time to start training!

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 07:22:00 -0700

Time to start training!

Well, I thought when I started out that I was 266 lbs. But the new scale Roseann bought says I'm 271. So, back on track I go. Yesterday I rode over 8 miles up and down hills on a bike. Today I plan on at least a 10 - 15 mile bike ride. The toughest part though, is to give up the sugar. I enjoy too much candy much too much.

WHY DO ? COPS & PROSECUTORS

Fri, 15 May 2009 04:32:00 -0700

Why do you think Cops and Prosecutors lie to convict poeple ? We would like to hear from you.Please tell us what you think about cops and prosecutors

IN SPITE OF THE SYSTEM

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:37:00 -0700

A Personal Story of Wrongful Conviction & Exoneration - A Book by Gary GaugerI want to start off by saying thank you to Donna for this incredible book and for keeping me inspired. There were so many things in his story, such as jail life, that are so true. For example, the part where he talks about the banging on the cells all night long. It's a sign of the times - the young people and the way then communicate and look at life today. It's a total generation gap. Every person that is wrongfully imprisoned, in spite of the system, has the same feelings of desiring justice. There isn't a day that goes by, I am sure, that there isn't a man or a woman that is wrongfully imprisoned that doesn't wish that the cell doors will open up for them. It's something that every person that has been wrongfully imprisoned goes through and at the same time hoping that the people that have put them there will be held accountable. These events will change their lives forever - in their thoughts, words and how they view life. There's not a day or night that goes by that I don't think of the people who are still wrongfully imprisoned and their feelings of hopelessess. Those are the only people who truly understand wrongful imprisonment. Thank God that Gary Gauger got his justice and was released. For me that day still has not come. NOW, FOR THE BOOK: It took about four days of reading in the evening. It really draws you in to his story - you can't help but be drawn in by the circumstances. It is amazing how a persons actions or apparent lack of reactions can lead to their being wrongfully convicted and imprisoned. In 1993, Gary Gauger was charged with the murder of his parents. The police interrogated him for 18 hours, beginning just after he learned that his parents were dead. In this book, Gary Gauger tells his story of how it happened and the nightmare he lived while the system had to come to the realization that an innocent man had been convicted and imprisoned. This story shows how those in power refuse to acknowledge that they are wrong even when it is blatantly obvious that they are wrong. My recommendations: 1. Read this book. 2. To those who are wrongfully imprisoned or to the family members, know that there is always hope. Never stop hoping and persevering. I would compare wrongful imprisonment as being lost in a maze where you keep running into dead ends, but you have no choice but to keep going forward. So never quit - keep speaking out, writing, and making your situation known to others. Help is out there - never give up.

The feelings of still being imprisoned . . .

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 11:55:00 -0700

Steven's thoughts for the day and wishes for 2009 ...

Those who have been wrongfully imprisoned will all tell somwhat the same story in the sense that they do not feel completely released. The feelings linger and do not ever completely go away. Recently, I was driving into the drive-up window area of my local bank. A car came driving straight at me from the wrong direction, I hit my brakes and then the driver pulled into the lane that I was driving into - completely cutting me off. He was yelling at me out of his window. I was jolted and shocked by his absurd behavior and yelled back at him that he had cut me off. He kept yelling back at me while he was completing his transaction through the "drawer" at the first window of the drive-thru. He also had his hand held ldown low on the side of his car motioning me with a "come on" motion. He finally pulled away and I drove up to the window. As I'm completing my transaction, I can see that the guy was now inside the bank at the counter. When I finally pulled away, he had left. The lingering feeling stayed with me. I was not in the wrong, here was this guy driving erratically, yelling at me, and motioning for me to come like he wanted to fight. All the time, I'm feeling like if I react or get into a big argument with him, that I could end up in jail. It's wrong to have to feel so vulnerable. I went back to the bank the next day for another transaction and felt like I should say something, because I don't want the people in the bank to be left with their impression of me to be whatever this guy had said to them when he went inside the bank. The assistant manager happened to wait on me and she chuckled and said that the guy had "smelled like a brewery." It made more sense to me now, but at the same time, I never should have had to feel like I was doing something wrong or that I was subject to being accused of something. Unfortunately, this is what those who have been wrongfully accused have to live with in their lives every day. The feeling like they are always walking on thin ice. It is so important that those who are in power take the timeto investigate and that they respect the power that they have. In my case, the prosecutor that had the power was listening to people who were corrupted by others. That prosecutor was accepteing expensive vacations from the same individiual who was instrumental in my being wrongfully charged and imprisoned. That prosecutor is still in power today. It still bothers me to this day that my name is not cleared. It still makes me feel abused, tortured, and victimized. Even though I can walk with my head held high, these are the feelings that are still present in my soul. I can only pray that others will not be affected in the way I was, yet I fear that it does continue. I want to know that someday I will receive justice, but I also rationally know that it is unlikely that this will ever come true. I have a police officer friend in another commmunity who told me that if he was testifying in trial against a defendant who he knew was a "bad person" that he would lie to make sure the person was convicted. I was saddened by what he told me. This is a friend who I considered to be very honorable. I still consider him to be a friend, but I hope that our discussion will make him reconsider doing that in the future. 2009 is a brand new year. Let's all hope and pray that it will bring peace to those who have been wrongfully convicted. Lets all hope and pray that it will make those in power carefully consider the power that they hold and use it wisely. I also pray for a prosperous 2009 so that I may complete the journey across the United States in 2010.

Saving Money to Continue the Journey

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:11:00 -0700

We're saving money to continue the journey across America. Our work is nowhere near complete...

We must all be concerned about "the least of our brothers". On this September 23rd, the State of Georgia plans to put a man to death by the name of Troy Davis. Seven of the nine witnesses who testified against Davis have recanted their testimony. Evidence that points to another person and that exonerates Davis is being ignored by the Georgia Supreme Court. Davis' attorney says an innocent man is sitting on Georgia's death row. What does this say about our country? Imagine how many innocent people sit in cells today. It is do difficult to imagine judges who can ignore the possibility that a person is innocent and look the other way as he is being led to his death. We are seeking your financial support to help us with this journey. Please consider a donation today. Thank you.

Good Medical News!

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:45:00 -0700

I received good news from the doctors at the University of Chicago Medical Center.It was a bit complex and I'm sure I can't communicate it quite accurately. Basically, I have an athletic heart because of all the running and it sometimes stops or skips beats. More so at night when my heart beat lowers during sleep. The doctors said this was OK, except that I needed to adjust my high blood pressure medicine and take a statin for high triglycerides. After being off with the health issue for a bit, I have started back to walking and running. Overall, I can keep on keeping on. Keep on checking back for more updates in the future. I still have the goal of going back and completing the run across the U.S. We are working hard to get things in order. I'd love to get some feedback from those of you who are following along. Steve

Health Issue Arises!

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 05:16:00 -0700

Tuesday morning I awoke with vision problems and went to the hospital.I also had numbness in my jaw and was concerned enough to go to the hospital emergency room. They said I had a TIA - a trans ischemic attack - which is basically a mini stroke. It doesn't leave any brain or movement deficits, but it does indicate problems. Then, I was put on a heart monitor and they discovered that I have missing beats - apparently an electrical problem with my heart. So, there are more tests to come and I'll keep you all updated as to what they are going to do about it. Check back next week.

Memorial Day Tribute

Mon, 26 May 2008 14:19:00 -0700

Marine released after 24 years!This is just one story of many. A marine in Southern California was released after 24 years in prison. It took a Federal judge to order his release, and after it was ordered, the State still wanted to hold on to him. An investigation is ongoing into the States' ignoring the order of the Federal Court. This man was convicted solely on the basis of a jailhouse snitch who was rewarded for his lies. When the jailhouse snitch had his own charges dismissed and reduced, the prosecutor didn't inform the defense. How sad that a jury convicted this man based only on a lie supported by a dishonest prosecutor. How sad that a man who had served and defended this country as a Marine was deprived of his Constitutional Rights by the State of California. Thankfully, after 24 years, he was finally released. Hooray to those who fought for his release. Thankfully also, the Veteran's Administration is able to help him rebuild his life. On this Memorial Day, think of those others who have served their country only to be let down by the system. Let's all hope that others in his situation are able to gain their release.