Tuesday, April 5,
2016
On this date in
1978, 38 years ago, I woke up at 6:30 a.m. in freedom for the last time. 13,880
days later, I have so far survived this unjust life sentence for a murder
someone else committed in 1975. “No one
said the world was fair,” a prison guard said to me recently.
Corrupt
prosecutor, Mark Ober, was quoted as saying, “Norman will never survive a life sentence.”
That was said after I refused for the last time, during jury deliberations, to
accept his plea deal to a reduced charge of second degree murder. Mark told me,
“Charlie, I’ve gotten to know you during
this trial. You’re a brilliant guy. Don’t ruin your life. Take the deal. As
smart as you are, you’ll be out in three or four years.”
I had no intention
of taking his deal. I did not shoot Steve Bluffstone. Larry Wingate did, the
same person who boasted that his wealthy father had paid off detectives and
prosecutors to save him. The same person who Ober gave “immunity from prosecution for first degree murder” to falsely
state, “Charlie told me he shot someone.”
I never believed any jury could believe the convicted false liars, or not realize
there was a reason there was no forensic or physical evidence against me, and
the only eyewitness described a shorter and smaller man, not me — because I was
not there.
My great mistake
was insulting Mark Ober when he made his final offer. He made that offer
because he knew I was innocent. Ask Rudolph Harris, Jr. Ober made the deal with
the Wingates, and he didn’t believe the
jury would convict me, either. But they did. I insulted Mark Ober, he took it
to heart, he tried his best to get me the death penalty, and he has pursued a
personal vendetta ever since, to keep his shameful secret from seeing the light
of day.
I have survived
this life sentence, against all odds. I am a better man. I’ve forgiven my
enemies and those who hate me and pray for them every day. People like Ober
can’t imagine that. It is inconceivable that I could live this life in prison
with a clean heart. But I have, and I do. I have faith in God.
13,880 days later
I am still here, waiting my turn. But I can’t do it alone. If you want to help
right this great wrong, contact my dear wife, Libby, by leaving a comment on
this article below. Thanks.
Charlie
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