Little did I ever
imagine, sitting in the dungeon-like Hillsborough County Jail on Morgan Street in Tampa ( a facility that
was shut down long ago), awaiting trial and celebrating my 29th
birthday on September 4, 1978, that I would still be imprisoned on September 4,
2016.
Back then, I truly
expected to be freed in a matter of weeks, or, at worst, months, so I tried to
be positive and optimistic, not depressed and down-in-the-dumps like so many
other unfortunates sharing the dark, sixteen-man cell with me. I had to be
cheerful. I couldn’t let my worried family and loved ones see any crack in my
armor, lest they fret and worry even more. It couldn’t get much worse for them,
their eldest son arrested and charged with a three-year old murder, enduring
chilly looks from neighbors and so-called friends in the grocery store, shame
and humiliation heaped upon them.
Surely I would be
acquitted at trial. It seemed simple to me — I had shot no one. I was twenty
miles away from the crime scene. No physical or forensic evidence, no
fingerprints, no gun, no witnesses connected me to the shooting death. The
speedy trial deadline had passed — twice.
Nevertheless, here
we are, my dear wife and I, celebrating my 39th consecutive birthday
in prison. Looking at photos from the first few years of my imprisonment, the
young man is still putting forth a happy face for family and friends. You’d
have to look closely to discern that
young man now in the 67-year old man in the birthday photo taken in the
Columbia Annex visiting park.
How could this be?
How could corrupt detectives and prosecutors fabricate a murder case with no
evidence, and only convicted felon “straw-men” contradicting themselves result
in a first degree murder conviction and over 38 years in prison, when obviously
guilty murderers convicted of heinous, premeditated crimes have been walking
the streets, free, for years? We’ve been asking this pointed question for many
years, and have yet to receive an answer.
Corrupt prosecutor
Mark Ober, angered that the compromised jury recommended “life” rather than the
death penalty, was quoted as saying, “Norman
will never survive a life sentence.”
I’ve done my best
to prove him a liar. Resigned to having to serve a “bucket of time” after
appeals proved unavailing, I resolved to spend my life sentence studying,
keeping strong my Christian faith, and helping others become better people, as
I became a better person, too. While reading over 4900 books over 38 years,
hundreds of college textbooks on a variety of subjects, classics, literature,
poetry, fiction and non-fiction, I educated myself far beyond what I could have
ever imagined in 1978. I’ve taught literally thousands of prisoners, and helped
hundreds obtain their freedom, when I couldn’t help myself.
Meanwhile, a small group of family,
friends, and loved ones have stood by me throughout these decades. I am blessed
with an incredible wife who has become my life partner. Thousands of people in
100 countries, including prison personnel, have read my prison essays.
I still need the help of those who
care about me. The long battle for freedom isn’t over. Thanks to those who sent
birthday wishes. I am grateful, and still fighting.
Charlie
Libby and Charlie Sept. 4, 2016
