Justice for Jane

"Jane" is a woman I have known for a couple of years and, to be honest, she's had a terribly tough life. She's a survivor of physical and sexual abuse, the daughter of a monster and a drunk. She comes from a small, rural area where a high school diploma is considered higher education. She escaped her family by getting married at 18 to a man who turned out to be an abusive drunk himself. She stuck it out for years for the sake of their two beautiful daughters, but eventually she took the kids and left. Struggling to make ends meet left her dependent on a combination of low paying jobs and her abusive drunk mother. "Jane" still tried to make a life. She even found a man to share it with but, soon after they married he too turned out to be an abusive alcoholic. It is often the pattern of children of abuse to continue the cycel into adulthood. "Jane" has done that through the partners she has chosen. But she did get up the courage to leave him (after being put in the hospital) and continued to be an amazing mother to her girls in spite of receiving no support from their father and fighting psychological and medical issues from years of abuse. "Jane" has always put those girls first...even if it meant going without a winter coat or a hot meal herelf.

Just when "Jane" thought things were finally going to be good...when she had medical care and therapy needed to get her life on track...when she had good career prospects and a healthy relationship...she was accused of a crime she did not commit. "Jane" was targeted out of a combination of spite and opportunity. Frankly, she was just an easy patsy.

In spite of no phsical evidence, no witnesses, and no motive, "Jane's" public defender failed to even attempt to put on a defense. (He has since actually admitted to having no files, deposing no witnesses, and preparing no case!) Instead, this public defender insisted on "Jane" taking a plea bargain. She refused, stating she could not confess to something she had not done. "Jane" trusted the justice system to see the truth, but her small town appears to be the place justice goes to die. It is something out of a bad movie.

One witness with a long criminal history was enough to get "Jane" convicted....but she's innocent. She is the victim of poverty and now I want to help make it right. So, I am reaching out to raise funds to get ensure "Jane" has teh same rights to a proper defense as any rich person...to balance the scales of justice. I've already hired a great lawyer who, having reviewed her files, is shocked to see what passes for justice in rural America. I am currently paying for this lawyer out of my own pocket (a couple thousand dollars so far), but I could use any help I can get. The costs are estimated at close to $15,000 for post conviction relief (PCR) and will be more if she is re-tried after that. I'm selling everything I can to raise the funds but I fear it might not be enough. So I am swalllowing my pride and begging for anyone to help right this terrible wrong. Please help save "Jane" and give her back her life. Please don't let an innocent person lose her life...or innocent girls lose their mother...because she didn't have the means to get a fair trial.

Thank you and God Bless.