Tom's request for commutation of sentencing denied

I received this e-mail from Tom's friend, Averelle, who helped hire an attorney to represent Tom at his latest request for commutation. This e-mail says it all, and I am disgusted with Arizona's legal system. It must be very lucrative to keep people in prison when even the only victim of Tom's crime to be present on the phone stated he has spent enough time in prison. What a sham the review board is. Read for yourself. I am grateful NOT to live in Arizona!!

Editor

"Bad news--Tom's hearing request for commutation of sentencing was denied. There were 10 supporters present (including Dave - the attorney - who presented a good case)--there was one victim via phone. Tom was not allowed to be present, nor was he on the phone like before. We were all shocked and very disappointed. The board (consists of 7--only 4 were present) had not read the letters (apparent in their remarks--although the lead board member briefly looked at them in the hearing.) He did read parts of one letter from a judge --acknowledging it was from that person's personal view.

The one victim, on the phone even stated Tom had done enough time and he was not in opposition to him being released--even that didn't hold any weight. In all honesty, the board hearing leader gave his vote, and the others followed without any discussion. Very dissappointing. Tom can reapply in 2 years--there is no appeal to this board's decision."