Given the heart wrenching and sadness over the Kelly Thomas affair, the poignant story of Dewey Bozella - one wrongfully accused of murder for over 26 years - getting the Arthur Ashe ESPY Award (see Wikipedia (here)) - is really heart warming and totally inspiring.
Dewey Bozella (Facebook pic right) - was charged and corruptly convicted of a 1977 murder in Poughkeepsie, NY of 92-year-old Emma Crapser. Though the sentence was only 20 years to life, Dewey served 26 years, being before the Parole Board 4 separate times and was denied parole - because - Dewey Bozella refused to confess to a crime he did not commit!
While Dewey admits he was enraged - initially - about his wrongful conviction(s) (he was found guilty in retrials) - Mr. Bozella refused to let others simply destroy his life. While in prison he trained his body and became a boxer, where he earned the title of Prison Boxing Champion. But his determination did not stop at a place to focus his anger and time, during his non-training hours, Dewey Bozella earned a Master's Degree.
Here's a YouTube video of Matthew McConaughey telling Dewey's story
Dewey Bozella legal battles and the destroyed evidence
Refusing what would have been cake-walk paroles during an exemplary prison term, Dewey Bozella was repeatedly turned down for his release, because he refused to admit to doing a crime he did not commit. Though this item, in and of itself, should have gained national attention - even the Innocence Project was not convinced to look at his case - until Mr. Bozella kept relentlessly sending letters to the Innocent Project on a weekly basis.
When the Innocence Project finally agreed to take the case, a greater anguish transpired, because all DNA evidence had long since been destroyed in the case. The fact that the Project had to reject the case, due to protocols pertaining to the mountains of cases they receive - actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Though there were many reasons to release Dewey that the courts repeatedly rejected, including the fact that NO African Americans were permitted to be on the jury. The real issues were ironically discovered vis-a-vis a Police officer with a heart of consideration.
Once the Innocence Project had to decline Dewey Bozella's case, they referred it to Wilmer Hale's pro bono counsels Ross Firsenbaum and Shauna Friedman - who, doing their jobs correctly - decided to take a chance and speak to one of the officers in the case. Retired Poughkeepsie police lieutenant Arthur Regula suprised the Wilmer Hale attorneys with a full file copy. Mr. Regula said it was the "only" file he felt necessary to keep a copy of - with the hopes that one day - someone would come knocking on his door.
Prosecutorial Misconduct and hidden evidence Wins Dewey Bozella release
Armed with former Lt. Regula's file and Freedom of Information Act subsequent discoveries, Wilmer Hale's attorneys' Firsenbaum & Friedman learned that the prosecution knew of several Brady material violations in the case. Including the fact that there was NO physical evidence to connect Dewey Bozella to the case and that another person had committed (and purportedly confessed) to similar exact murders.
With this overwhelming evidence of officer of the court bad faith, NY Supreme Court Justice James T. Rooney said he had no choice - but to release Dewey Bozella. As seen in the NY Times article (here) - the Judge stipulated;
“This court does not lightly disturb a conviction in such a serious case as this,” Justice Rooney wrote, but “the court, without reservation, is firmly and soundly convinced of the meritorious nature of the defendant’s application.” He called the legal and factual arguments “compelling, indeed overwhelming.”
Dewey Bozella's moral character is one to be envied
When you look at his life's story, Dewey Bozella had the background of any low life building block. At 9 years old, he witnessed his dad beat his mother to death. A few years later, his brother was stabbed and killed in a fight. Trying to change his life, Dewey moved to Poughkeepsie, where he was shortly thereafter arrested for the murder he did not commit.
Despite the cruel time that life had thrust upon him, going above and beyond being a good soul, despite the issues and harshness that life has dealt upon Dewey Bozella, he has shown himself to be worthy of Presidential medal consideration. Not only did Dewey not seek to vent his anger in and of his wrongful incarceration, Mr. Bozella stated the following remarks upon his release - as denoted by Daryn Kagan in his story (here) - about
"Don't let bitterness slow you down, full speed ahead"
Not Dewey Bozella. With calmness and grace, he simply told the news cameras, "Whatever prosecutors and police did, I'm going to let it go because I'm going to move on with my life. If I worry about what they did, I'm not going to get where I need to go."
Mr. Kagan concluded;
"That one statement pierced my heart:
"If I worry about what they did,
I'm not going to get where I need to go."
Dewey Bozella is awarded the Arthur Ashe ESPY
In prison, Dewey came into contact with the man who killed his brother. He asked him why he did it. The man said he was 15 years old and = "it just happened". Dewey states he forgave the man that very moment.
Being rewarded in a way, Dewey found his love in prison. During a visit of her brother, Tena met Dewey and married him while he was in prison. When Dewey told everyone he would die in prison - before he would admit to doing a crime he did not commit, his wife Tena, though heart-broken, stood by his side and said that Dewey would walk out one day a free man.
Now that Dewey Bozella is free to breath open air, enjoy his life with his beloved Tena, life is still dealing harsh blows to Dewey Bozella. Upon his release from prison, Dewey said he would not let what the prosecution did get him down. Dewey took up the cause of working with youth's to teach them the discipline of boxing. Unfortunately, due to financial hardships, the gym Dewey used is now closed.
It is hard to inspire me, for I am a bitter man these days. My career, house and life earnings were lost to the crooks, who still run free, that are part of the eToys, Marc Dreier, Tom Petters and other schemes. What infuriates me most, is that CORRUPT Dept of Justice rogue personnel are actually duplicitous with tyrant judges in permitting the larcenous horde to keep the keys to the vaults they are fleecing. Recently, a few months back, I wrote a diary about this - begging the federal system of justice not to make a crook out of me.
Dewey Bozella has shown me my shame. He lost 26 years of his life and his name. All I have lost is money, home and career. My battle has only been a little over 10 years.
However, Mr. Bozella has also shown me the light, that has grown dim within me. That injustice battles are worth fighting and you CAN Win!
Thank You Dewey Bozella!
Here is the YouTube video of Dewey Bozella accepting the ESPY Arthur Ashe award.
Dewey Bozella has lost his gym. But still wishes to teach children the discipline of boxing and keep them out of trouble. His other dream is to fight just 1 professional boxing match.
Though I have to struggle each day for hotel room money, I would gladly give up today's - to assist him with his goals. Hopefully he will get a movie or book offer. He most certainly deserves it.
Hang in there Dewey, you made a dent in my hard heart this week. If there is any way I can help you make your dreams come true - please ask?
It is my hope that fellow DK'rs rec this one up for this sole reason.
Here is Dewey Bozella's FaceBook Page -
http://www.facebook.com/...
Please take time to make a comment there or Share/ Friend him
to let him know we consider it a blessing that he walks among us!