I have not posted for almost three years - trying to be sensitive to the victim's family. They have much hatred in their hearts for Jeff and I. But, being silent hasn't solve anything. This post is for them:
Dear family and friends of Duane:
I cannot possibly imagine what it felt like for you to lose your son/brother/grandson. While I know you don't hear us when we say this - but we truly feel sorry for your loss. Even more so, we feel sorry for how this has affected your lives the past almost 30 years. Your belief about Jeff's guilt is based on a trial 30 years ago and your emotional need to believe in the system that put your brother's murderer away for life.
My belief in Jeff Howard's innocence did not come easily. It came after reading all of the evidence - that which was presented at the trial, some that wasn't, and new information available after the trial. It also came after interviewing several people who should have been called to testify at the trial, but weren't. I enlisted others along the way, as I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
Along the way, I began to get to know Jeff. I was suspicious and had someone I knew that visited inmates check him out to see if he was "real." After several months of investigating, I was told "he was as real as they come."
I challenge you to seek the truth. I am not afraid to ask anyone to do their own investigation. Three law students put their future reputations on the line and spent about a year investigating Jeff's case; reading through all of the paperwork; and talking to witnesses they could find who were still living. They came to the conclusion that Jeff had been wrongly convicted and presented their findings and witnesses to a full parole board. They are now all attorneys and practicing law - and use Jeff's case for motivation to make sure they are as thorough as they can be so this doesn't happen to anyone else.
I also challenge you to meet Jeff Howard. He is not the monster you make him out to be. Anyone who knows him will tell you he is a genuine Christian and is a changed man from who he was 30 years ago. Even if you don't want to believe in his innocence - if you are a Christian, you have to know that God can change hearts. You cannot live in prison for very long without others knowing your true colors. I challenge you to seek out people who see Jeff on a daily basis; who have done time with him; or work with him and find out what his character is like before you judge him and his steadfast belief in Jesus Christ.
I ask you to find it in your hearts to consider that if you are wrong - you are holding judgment and hatred for a man who does not deserve it. Even if you are right - and Jeff was guilty, how are you any different from the person who murdered your brother, by wishing him harm and wishing harm to those who love him. (Matthew 5:21-22)
I don't ask you to believe us - but to check out the facts and find someone you trust to check out Jeff Howard.
Dear family and friends of Duane:
I cannot possibly imagine what it felt like for you to lose your son/brother/grandson. While I know you don't hear us when we say this - but we truly feel sorry for your loss. Even more so, we feel sorry for how this has affected your lives the past almost 30 years. Your belief about Jeff's guilt is based on a trial 30 years ago and your emotional need to believe in the system that put your brother's murderer away for life.
My belief in Jeff Howard's innocence did not come easily. It came after reading all of the evidence - that which was presented at the trial, some that wasn't, and new information available after the trial. It also came after interviewing several people who should have been called to testify at the trial, but weren't. I enlisted others along the way, as I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
Along the way, I began to get to know Jeff. I was suspicious and had someone I knew that visited inmates check him out to see if he was "real." After several months of investigating, I was told "he was as real as they come."
I challenge you to seek the truth. I am not afraid to ask anyone to do their own investigation. Three law students put their future reputations on the line and spent about a year investigating Jeff's case; reading through all of the paperwork; and talking to witnesses they could find who were still living. They came to the conclusion that Jeff had been wrongly convicted and presented their findings and witnesses to a full parole board. They are now all attorneys and practicing law - and use Jeff's case for motivation to make sure they are as thorough as they can be so this doesn't happen to anyone else.
I also challenge you to meet Jeff Howard. He is not the monster you make him out to be. Anyone who knows him will tell you he is a genuine Christian and is a changed man from who he was 30 years ago. Even if you don't want to believe in his innocence - if you are a Christian, you have to know that God can change hearts. You cannot live in prison for very long without others knowing your true colors. I challenge you to seek out people who see Jeff on a daily basis; who have done time with him; or work with him and find out what his character is like before you judge him and his steadfast belief in Jesus Christ.
I ask you to find it in your hearts to consider that if you are wrong - you are holding judgment and hatred for a man who does not deserve it. Even if you are right - and Jeff was guilty, how are you any different from the person who murdered your brother, by wishing him harm and wishing harm to those who love him. (Matthew 5:21-22)
I don't ask you to believe us - but to check out the facts and find someone you trust to check out Jeff Howard.
