December 2007

Education

Michael recently decided to begin classes to get his GED.
We are all VERY proud of him for taking such a positive step for his future. He may also pursue his paralegal degree, contingent upon securing funding. We would appreciate it if everyone showed him extra support and encouragement. We will keep you posted on his progress!

Engagement

Michael requested that the following announcement be posted:

"I would like to make it known to everyone that I'm engaged to be married to the love of my life, Emily. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and without her, my life would have no meaning. I love her more than anything and cannot wait until the day she becomes my wife, because that will be the day my life is complete."

--Michael Perry

November 2007

Thanks to a friend of Michael's you can now support him by buying "Save Michael Perry"- items, such as clothes, buttons and fridge magnets.
 
Check out Michael's shop with Injustice Served.

His friend also posted a blog about Michael, containing a case summary written by Emily.

July 2007

As many of you know, Michael filed his federal habeas corpus petition on March 29th. A habeas corpus petition is basically when a prisoner argues that his confinement by the State is unconstitutional for some reason. Typical arguments in a habeas corpus include issues like ineffective assistance of counsel, suppression of evidence by the State, etc.
 
The State then had 90 days to respond with their own brief. On Thursday, June 28th, the State filed its Response to our brief. The State also moved for summary judgement. Summary judgment is essentially saying there is nothing to argue about, that there are no "genuine issues of material fact in dispute." Making such a motion is standard procedure and not cause for concern at this time.
 
We now have 60 days to reply (with another brief). Once the judge has all the briefs and motions from each side, he will decide whether or not to grant an evidentiary hearing. An ultimate decision on Michael's appeal is still months away, but we will keep everyone updated on important events as they occur.

Emily Powers

June 2007

Associated Content Interview with Chris Schmitz about Michael Perry
 
Read the interview

May 2007

Translation of the interview with Michael that appeared in the May 2007 edition of the Dutch monthly magazine ParaVisie

Sentenced to death Michael Perry tells his story. "If I can laugh, you can too!"

Ever since the recent hanging of Saddam Hussain the controversy over the death penalty has found its way back into the public mind. Most commentators pronounced their disgust at the barbarity with which the execution was carried out. Yet the death penalty is still implemented in so-called civilized countries, with execution procedures going horribly wrong at times.
 
In the United States more than 1,000 people were killed by the state between 1973 and 2005. At present Michael Perry (25) is one of those convicts who are currently awaiting execution. In an interview with ParaVisie he talked about his feelings and spiritual beliefs that are on his mind every day under these extreme circumstances.

Michael Perry did not have an easy life. When he was two days old he was given up for adoption by his biological mother. When he was 7 he was put on Prozac and Ritalin due to "behavioral disorder". After that he went from one psychiatric clinic to the next. At 18, after turning his back on the last of those institutions, he became a street urchin. On the streets, he met the wrong kind of people and got in touch with drugs.
 
On October 30, 2001 he and a friend were arrested for the murder of Sandra Stotler. The two friends allegedly shot her in order to steal her car. Michael denied the deed but the judge considered him guilty anyway. By now several pleas for clemency from his side have been turned down and the implementation of his death sentence seems to be a mere matter of months.
 
On Michael Perry's website there is a detailed analysis of the evidence against him as well as an online petition demanding a new trial for him.

Q: Do you sometimes think about life after death?
 
Michael:
Ah, I see you're going to ask me some tough questions. That's very good, because in order to get to know yourself, you have to search for the answers within yourself and think about this kind of things. Do I think about life after death? Yes and no. Often I lie awake at times trying to imagine what heaven might look like. Can you imagine this: a place where everything is perfect? But at the same time I don't believe that man is predestined to find answers to questions like this one while he walks the earth.
 
Q: Has your experience made you bitter?
 
Michael:
As I don't know the answer to all the questions I can't and don't want to be bitter. Thus I cannot judge, this is god's prerogative. Imagine me thinking that the judge who sentenced me to death did so, knowing that I was actually innocent. Then further imagine that in thinking the judge knowingly passed false judgment I was wrong, in that case I would be sitting here bitter without a reason.
Of course there are those "bad" people who physically abused me during my interrogation in order to make me say the things they wanted to hear. But bitterness and anger are not a solution. My aim is to open people's eyes to the true nature of the system that puts innocent people on death row, so it never happens to others ever again. Of course I sometimes struggle hard to suppress negative emotions, especially due to the fact that I am bi-polar. However, in concentrating on myself and focusing on the present and the future, I keep myself from becoming bitter.
I believe Jesus was tortured in an unimaginably cruel manner before he was nailed to the cross and still he showed forgiveness, so why should I remain bitter? Do I feel downcast? Yes! Do I feel distraught? Definitely! Do I feel frustrated at times? You bet! But bitter and angry? No! Do I hate? Never!
 
Q: Has this experience changed you as a human being?
 
Michael:
Well, it has definitely been an eye-opener! I admit that negative emotions collapsed over me like a flood wave, when I was led into this cell after my conviction. I slowly realized that this is no bad dream but reality at its toughest; that this place is going to be my home until they execute me. I found that I did not belong in this environment among murderers and rapists. I lost trust in humanity, because those people who should have protected me – the police, the judges – had done me an injustice. Who was I still to trust?
 
After six months I met a young Puerto Rican man in prison who changed my mindset completely. He taught me about self-knowledge and the power of laughing. I now believe in the positive impact I can have on others.
 
Q: How do you manage to maintain your hope for a positive outcome?
 
Michael:
As a Christian I per definition believe in a positive outcome as my place in paradise will be reserved for me after death. But if you're talking about my present life here on earth, which I'm sure you do, I have to say that I summon strength from my belief in a higher aim. I think that my fate will open people's eyes and this way I can be of use to others while I am waiting in this cell. If my execution is to be carried out, it will change more than one life anyway, thus my life has not been in vain. This thought gives strength to me. Should I ever be free I hope to work with children in need and their families. I would like my life experience to be a source of inspiration to those people.
 
Q: Has your conviction gained you anything positive?
 
Michael:
This experience has surely also brought positive things for me. I'm thinking about the way my relationship with my family has changed for the better. We now talk to each other and can forgive each other for mistakes we made in the past. I met my biological mother and although she has never been an actual part of my life, I am grateful for meeting her. Alongside with my increased faith in god, I also was given the opportunity to share my experience with others, thus giving them strength and comfort. Sometimes I even feel like I'm a therapist!
 
Q: If you were given freedom today, how would your life differ from your life before imprisonment?
 
Michael:
Well, I think it would be completely different. My whole view on life has changed for the better since my conviction. I would summon more strength from my belief and my interaction with other people rather than messing with drugs or mingling with false friends and random females. I would tell my parents more often that I love them and let my words be followed by my deeds.
 
But first of all I would smile more often. A smile is one of the most powerful things in the entire universe. It is a great gesture that can change the world. Let it be your aim to make five people smile or laugh today and you will fulfill your part in what I refer to as the "Higher Law of Love". Make ten people smile or laugh tomorrow and make everyone happy that comes your way. Maybe you'll save a life or you'll prevent negativity. How difficult is it to smile and thus spread the love you feel inside of you? And the good thing is: happiness generates happiness. By simple means like these we can create heaven on earth. I am sitting here on death row, among men that are referred to as monsters, and it works for me.
 
If I can laugh in here, you can laugh out there!

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