Charlie and Libby at RMC

 

Charlie and Libby Norman at the Lake Butler Reception/Medical Center (RMC) Main Unit visiting park Sunday, April 14, 2024

Dateline: Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 1:13 p.m.

It has been a hard month for the home team. Rudely awakened at 3:24 a.m. March 18, 2024, told I was transferring, I sent a quick email to Libby as a heads-up, and gathered my belongings.

To reach the RMC prison hospital complex involved being restrained in tight chains and leg irons for a senseless prison bus ride south from Okeechobee C. I. to Miami, South Florida Reception Center (SFRC), a couple days and nights there, more chains and a bus ride north to Orlando, Central Florida Reception/Center (CFRC), change buses, switch out chains, ride north to RMC, finally.

I thought I was coming to the RMC hospital to see the contract neurologist about my Myasthenia gravis condition and possible Parkinson's Disease symptoms, but after sitting on my heels for a month, my first clue otherwise came this past Monday when I was summoned to the hospital for an echocardiogram, with more tests scheduled for the cardiologist.

All that proceeded from my January heart attack and two-week stay at the Lawnwood Hospital Heart Institute in Fort Pierce. Great facility, great food, great nurses and doctors. I am much better now.

After being cleared by the doctors here, most likely I will be shipped back to Okeechobee, no telling when, a week, a month, or more. They tell us nothing.

Wednesday, April 3, 2024 : Libby made a valiant presentation before the three hostile Florida parole commissioners for my release, followed by a telephonic endorsement from my friend, TV producer Loen Kelley in New York City, to no avail. Corrupt former Tampa prosecutor Mark Ober chimed in, opposing my release, with rambling false statements that have no basis in truth.

My parole release date remains at July 4, 2017, suspended. My unparalleled parole release plan was ignored. More about that another time.

Don't give up! I'm not dead yet. We have avenues for appeal.

Corrupt Mark Ober desperately fears my release, not for his safety, for I have never posed a physical threat to him, but for my knowledge of his corruption. He was bought and paid for by organized crime decades ago, and I am poised to make speeches before large groups when I am freed. Example: what dead mafioso continues to make campaign contributions to Ober to this day? Answer: Basil Scaglione.

Libby and I had a great visit together. The RMC visiting park is far superior to most others we've been to over our twenty-four years together. Polite, courteous staff, fast entry, little waiting, large indoor and outdoor space, and easy to get to. The photo shows my "RMC haircut," a rite of passage for all those entering these gates. Much of it will grow back.

This past week I faced a setback - food poisoning - did I mention the bad food? For several days I could not linger far from the bathroom. They issue one roll of cheap toilet paper a week, and I had to buy a roll from another prisoner. I fasted for a couple days and forced myself to drink tepid tap water to avoid dehydration.

At the 7:00 a.m. count this morning the sergeant gave us an expletive-laced account about how sorry food service was, how many people suffered food poisoning, and how sorry medical was, refusing to treat all the sufferers, saying let it run its course.

My brother, Dan, niece Tammy Norman, and aunt Alice Walker hope to visit with me this Saturday, April 27th, a mini-family reunion. Time marches on, and our family dwindles.

I pray that God grants our prayers for release, and we can all be together one day soon. Peace, joy and love...

Charlie

 

Charlie Norman Parole Interview Today

 

Thursday, February 29, 2024, 11:34 a.m.

I just got back from my parole interview with investigators John O'Donnell and Jonathan Goodwin in the Classification Department conference room.

It went very well. Both men were smiling, and when I reached out to shake hands, they eagerly responded (that is not always the case; I’ve experienced this kind:  when you offer a handshake upon meeting and the person stares at it like it was a snake, and that is not a good sign.)

They were there to review my parole release plan and verify my program participation, then provide all my material to the parole commission, who has the final say as to whether I go home or stay (46 years so far).

Libby did a good job compiling my paperwork into an excellent parole plan, and they were impressed.

You may submit a written statement expressing your support of an inmate, me, Charles Norman, DC # 881834, (snail mail address below), which will be reviewed and considered by the voting Commissioners. Please call 1-800-335-3396 or submit your statement by email to InmatesSupporter@fcor.state.fl.us .

Questions relating to appearing before the Commission may be answered by calling the Office of the Commission Clerk at (850) 488-1293.

Note — REQUESTS MUST BE MADE WITHIN 15 DAYS AFTER DATE OF INTERVIEW, so the deadline is MARCH 14, 2024.

If you wish to attend as a show of support, please let Libby and me know. Our side only has ten minutes total to speak. Address: Florida Commission on Offender Review, 4070 Esplanade Way Tallahassee, FL 32399-2450. The hearings are held in the Betty Easley Conference Center at the normally scheduled time (9 a.m. on Wednesdays). Commissioners: Melinda Coonrod, Chairperson, Richard Davison, Vice Chair, David Wyant, Secretary.  

In any case, prayers and good thoughts are always appreciated.

I'm tired from the stress of the 90 minute interview and effects of my Myasthenia Gravis, and will write more when I can.

Thank you sincerely for your support and concern.

Charlie