BEFORE YOU MOVE TO NEWTON COUNTY INDIANA

You Won't Believe how The Law Work's Here!
I Was Found Guilty Of Something I didn't Do!
A Small Town Of who Knows Who!
No Criminal Record! Jail Time? Over $4??
No Evidence, No Tape's just The Words Of Two Liar's!
Read And See If You Want To Move Here!
I WILL NOT STOP UNTILL I GET LAW AND ORDER BACK IN NEWTON COUNTY!
-----READ BELOW------

IC_U2@go.com

PAGE MADE SEPTEMBER,2 1999

I am a 24 year old women from rural Newton County. I am sure you probably heard of it sometime or another if you are into legal procedings. If not maybe now would be a good time you learn about it. If you want the low down for around here I can sum it up for you in ONE WORD: INJUSTICE!!! If you don't believe me or think I am just a scorned person who feels they recived a more harsh sentence than they deserve, then listen to my story and you make your own descision. Right out of high school my mom got me a job at the local convienient store. My first job. Even after my mother moved on to a different job, I still stayed. I worked for these people for 6 years. I did everything for their store. Including the hiring, some firing, interviewing, training, drawer balancing, inventory, ordering, made occasional deposits to the bank, and much more little odds and ends. The owners treated me like there daughter. They loaned me money when I was sick and in the hospital and couldn't work. Also, loaned me money to make a down payment on a new used car. These are just a few of the things that they did for me. Wouldn't you say they trusted me and respected me??? Alittle background on me: I have never been in trouble a day in my life. I was an honor student in High School. Never once got in trouble with the law. NOT EVEN A SPEEDING TICKET!! Well i guess you probably are wondering where this is going. Well I am just about to get to where the INJUSTICE comes in to the picture. One day in August of last year I recieved a phone call from a local sheriff's deputy. He stated that he needed to speak to me about a problem that had occured at the station where I was employed. I agreed to speak to him. He came to my home the following day. We sat outside my home at a picnic table with my mother and step-father at my side to hear what he had to say. He proceeded to tell me that someone at the station was in trouble, and that he and my boss had been working together to get evidence to go forward with prosecution. Well I wondered what this had to do with me. He then told me that there had been a discrepency in a merchandise count on my shift. My boss I guess had counted the box of Beanie Baby Trading Cards the previous night before he closed the store. Well when they were counted the next afternoon after my shift there were 6 packs of cards gone. When the register tapes were gone through, it was discovered that there were only 4 packs rang up. That left a 2 pack discrepency. The police officer asked me what I did with the cards and i replyed that I did not know what happened to them. The officer then told me that he had to clear up this matter of FOUR DOLLARS with me because he couldn't prosecute the other person without putting my name on the warrant also for the theft of the cards. He asked me to just admit I took them and pay the restitution and all would be forgotten. I said i did not take the cards and that I could of made a mistake and gave the children too many cards. He then told me "C'mon I know you are a smart girl and you didn't make a mistake, so why don't you just admit you did It and get it over with". I still refused and said that if I did give them away that it was completely unintentional. The next day my boss called me and asked me to come to the station and bring my key. When I got there he took me to the side and told me that he was letting me go and that i had to clear up some things I owed to him. He then gave me my paycheck and told me i had to pay for all my shortages and customers bounced checks that I had taken while I was working. He told me that I knew there had been theft problems and that he wanted me to take a lie-detector test to prove I wasn't doing all the stealing. I agreed to take the test to prove my innocence. I then told him that I did not take the cards and that I wasn't saying it was not my mistake but I didn't take them. Well about a week later I got a new job and then the officer called me. He told me that I had to be at the police station for the lie detector test on such and such date and time and I then told him that I had gotten a new job and couldn't call off so soon. I asked for another time and he offered and I was again working. I then asked him that if I was no longer employed at the station did I have to take the test and he said it would be in my best interest to do it and I said i would see what i could do. Two days later I was served with Prosecution papers. I was being charged with conversion. I went to court numerous times before it went to bench trial. The prosecution would not except any plea because my boss wouldn't settle for anything less than a year in jail. The police report stated that I admitted to taking the cards to the officer. Which was a lie and I had witnesses to back me up. Well then my boss stated that I admitted to him that I took the cards and that I said I couldn't believe that he was making such a big deal about FOUR DOLLARS!! I never said any such thing. I admitted to possibly making a mistake but that was all I admitted to doing. At the bench trial, both the officer and my boss testified to the lies they had created. Did I mention my ex-boss does all the Newton County Sheriff's Offices' towing? He tows all the abandoned vehicles, DUI vehicles, wrecked vehicles, and police impounds. Pretty convienient huh?? It gets better. In court, the prosecution had a reciept showing that the cards were paid for and I was the one who saved the reciept from the register and sent it home in my paperwork with my handwriting on it telling what was rung up. Don't you think that if I was going to steal these cards that I would of rang up some, saved the reciept, and then not pay for the other two? What would I need with an extra FOUR DOLLARS. I was found gulty on the charges on nothing but hear say from the OFFICER AND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TOWING SERVICE OWNER.The judge then sentenced me to two weekends in jail, 50 hrs of commuity service, court costs, a letter of apology to my ex boss, and a year probation. Is this a fair trial, in your eyes, for a woman whom has never been in a legal predicament before or never even thought about stealing from people she believed were fairly descent and caring? There was no evidence. And now the dreams I had of becoming a lawyer are shot down just because some owner of a small town business got a bug up his butt and decided to lie to destroy my life.
And this is only the half of it. I have a friend that was getting his leg removed in a hospital in Chicago and could'nt make a court date and called and told them he would not be there and was told he had no other place to be but in court. That if he would not show up he would be charged with contempt. "Can you beleive this?" Well when he did get home they came and got him carried him to the police car took him to court. after waiting for a wheel chair they took him to the court room and when the judge came in he demanded him to stand. This poor man only has a half of foot on the left and no leg on the right. Now after reading this is this a place you want to live? I could go on with story's but i think this sum's up what a small county can get away with because no one cares to do anything about it I HAVE TRIED.

POST YOUR MESSAGE HERE BELOW YOU WILL FIND SOME REPLYS I RECIEVED FROM MY STORY

Date: Fri, Aug 20, 1999, 8:46am To: IC_U2ATGODOTCOM@webtv.net (HI THERE) Subject: Re: I'm not guilty and going to jail today over $4 HELP!!!!! Okay--I've been in law enforcement, so get this through your head--THE BURDEN OF PROOF IS ALWAYS ON THE PROSECUTION, which means THEY have to prove THEIR case BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT. Based on your statements, their case is full of holes, which will be seen by the judge and jury, and can be exploited by a good lawyer. And ABOVE ALL, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!!! They CAN and WILL use what you say AGAINST you. Let this be a learning experience--DON'T EVER "cooperate" WITH A COP!!!!!! The ONLY difference between a cop and a criminal is that THEY wear a badge......... GOOD LUCK!!!!!
Date: Thu, Aug 19, 1999, 8:06pm (CDT+1) To: IC_U2ATGODOTCOM@webtv.net (HI THERE) Subject: Re: I'm not guilty and going to jail today over $4 HELP!!!!! Hi,have you spoken to a lawyer?If you have witnesses that you never admited to anything,then these men have committed purjury.They have falsified police records.They have conspired against you.They have tried to force a confession from you,after you told them you knew nothing about it,which is harrassment,I gather from your letter that your parents witnessed that also.Any theft where the value of what was stolen is less than $500 is not considered grand theft.And with a clean record and no proof of any wrong doing on your part,they have nothing .For you to receive anything but an apology from these jerks is ludicrous.Don't stand for it.This isn't right! Any good lawyer could see that,and they would probably have a really good time nailing these two guys.TALK TO A LAWYER
Date: Wed, Aug 11, 1999, 5:33pm To: IC_U2ATGODOTCOM@webtv.net (HI THERE) Subject: Re: Please Help To the extent that any of the persons involved are lawyers, you may wish to report their activity to the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission 317/232-1807.
Date: Tue, Aug 10, 1999, 11:00pm (CDT-2) To: IC_U2ATGODOTCOM@webtv.net (HI THERE) Subject: Re: I'm not guilty and going to jail today over $4 HELP!!!!! I read your story and it makes one wonder what makes people tick, why this store owner would do this to someone, for what? I feel for you. What about the possibility of turning the tables on both these assholes and claiming they both wanted to have sex with you and you refused them and they in turn are making all these claims? Only a suggestion, dont know if its too late.
Date: Tue, Aug 10, 1999, 12:38pm (CDT+1) To: IC_U2ATGODOTCOM@webtv.net (HI THERE) Subject: INJUSTICE Well all I can say is that is one crazy story. If what you say is true and correct, I cannot fathom the judge prosecuting you with no hard evidence. If i were the judge and going to even consider wasting tax-payers' dollars on this case and prosecute someone over four dollars then I would be absolutely positive they were guilty. e.g.. video, eyewitness. What do the towns people say? Are they aware of their local governments' lack of concern in spending their money. Furthermore I can only wonder how many "true" crimes and cases were neglected during this so called "investigation". I wish you the best in your case, please feel free to e-mail me and tell how it goes.
Date: Sun, Aug 8, 1999, 5:36am (CDT+1) To: IC_U2ATGODOTCOM@webtv.net (HI THERE) Subject: Re: I'm not guilty and going to jail today over $4 HELP!!!!! first off get a better lawyer. second NEVER trust the police. third get out of that small town. move to a big city where no one knows you so know one fucks with you.
Date: Sat, Aug 7, 1999, 9:20am To: IC_U2ATGODOTCOM@webtv.net (HI THERE) Subject: Re: I'm not guilty and gong to jail today over $4 Please help!!!!! --------, Your story sounds very credible to me. I know a person who spent 6 months in the Lake County jail for not paying for $7 worth of gas. Be careful with the good old boys network as it is still alive and working here in NW Indiana.
Date: Fri, Aug 6, 1999, 7:05pm (CDT+6) To: IC_U2ATGODOTCOM@webtv.net Subject: Re: I'm not guilty and going o jail today over $4 HELP!!!! Sorry, but I have little help to offer. All I can say is that if your story is true then the whole USA justice system is fucked up. In England there is no way you would get put in jail for such a petty occurance. Things like that happen all the time and nothing happens because of it. I support you. That sherrif and store manager are so full of shit it must be seeping from their eyeballs by now. Good luck
Date: Sat, Aug 7, 1999, 8:12am (CDT-2) To: IC_U2ATGODOTCOM@webtv.net (HI THERE) Subject: Re: I'm not guilty and going to jail today over $4 HELP!!!! How long ago did this happen. Go to your local legal bar or the state bar and ask for free representation to get this matter appealed. If you have witnesses who heard that you did not confess or they the sheriff and the owner allege that you made a confession without your Miranda rights being read that would not be admissible in court unless there was independent evidence in court that you did the crime. As a matter of law a local attorney should take the case for free and have it overturned on grounds that you were not given a fair trial because if they asked for restitution and you admitted it and you had the four dollars to pay why would they still prosecute you? That is if what you are saying is true. If what you are saying is true there is no evidenceof your guilt and as a matter of justice a local attorney should take the case reopen it and get it repealed. In addition, I would sue both the sheriff and the store owner for conspiracy to violate your civil rights, false imprisonment, and libel and slander; that way the attorney could have a nice pay day. Good luck.
Date: Sat, Aug 7, 1999, 7:25am (CDT+1) To: IC_U2ATGODOTCOM@webtv.net Subject: Screwed! --------, You got screwed BIG TIME! 4 bucks?! What a bunch of idiots! Did you have a lawyer? If not go to Legal Aid in your county, they'll help you for free or very little $. Did you have a jury trial? By law you're entitled to one. They have no evidence but a few lies. They CANNOT do this to you! Go to legal aid, have them reopen the case. Tell them that it should be opened because you didn't know ho to represent yourself. Justice will prevail!
Date: Sat, Aug 7, 1999, 1:19am (CDT-2) To: IC_U2ATGODOTCOM@webtv.net (HI THERE) Subject: Re: I'm not guilty and going to jail today over $4 HELP!!!! --------, It sounds like typical small town lifeless buffoons with nothing better to do. It just boggles my mind that the taxpayers in your town allow their hard earned money to be wasted on recovering chicken feed, let alone the great beanie babies trading cards conspiracy. These people seem oblivious to the fact that after 6 years of employment without incident you would steal probably less than a hundred dollars in missing nickels plus the four dollars, for your retirement fund in your swiss bank account. People never cease to amaze and disgust me, but remember idiots come in all colors shapes and sizes. I will tell you a little about myself but first I have some pretty good suggestions. Check the internet for civil rights groups and any organization that would love to expose and embarrass supposed citizens of authority that use and abuse our system. Also check into an organization called the A.C.L.U., I believe it stands for American Civil Liberties Union. They love to beat up big brother any chance they get, especially when hes not practicing what he preaches. Another idea is the local papers. You could write and submit an editorial about the situation, and would probably need to use fictitious names, but everybody in town would know. The newspapers also by law have to publish information that could effect every citizen in town. If your town is as small as it is closed minded the smart assed comments from friends, relatives and neighbors should alone be enough to shut them down. The next thing I would do is go to the city hall and ask for criminal records on the store owner. By law they have to make them available to you, it is your constitutional right. Besides for all we know he has used you as a scapegoat to cover up a bad gambling debt from his wife, or maybe even an expensive mistress. Besides the fact that he probably took the money himself, I don't think there is enough evidence to convict you. Just being there isn't enough. We are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. And without a certified public accountant or unbiased book keeper examining the books, How do we know the store owner didn't count wrong. To say something is missing is one thing, To accuse you of taking it is another, But to say it was here and now it is gone should never be enough to get away with false accusations. Lets see the expiation on his face when you tell him he will have to submit to a lie detector test also. The funny thing is I know in my heart that you are not guilty, and I don't even really know you. But what concerns me is the fact that the sheriff and store owner have decided to team up to harass you could be just a smoke screen to mask something far more creepy. Read between the lines girl, there is something more devious going on than beanie babies. But legally when two or more people premeditate a falsehood to inflict damage to anyone, It is called criminal conspiracy, and it is a federal offense. These people are not playing with a full deck. A brief history on myself, I am a business owner myself. I own and operate a facility that restores and repairs powered surgical instruments, and in less than 4 years have become the nations foremost authority on surgical instrument repair. We have 23 employees counting myself and 2 partners, and life has never been better. All that after the three of us quit working for a boss much like your own. Now he is asking us for help to rescue his failing business, as he digs himself deeper into debt. Even though we cant stand the man, there is great virtue in never becoming or lowering yourself to a tormentors level. And even the most egotistical fool might learn something or be a better human being from a single act of kindness. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. In my life I have had to deal with a lot of sick egos to get to where I am, But believe in yourself, because often the best way to get even is by doing nothing. More often than naught people that deserve the worst eventually run head first into themselves. Email me anytime Michelle and always fight the good fight!
Date: Sat, Aug 7, 1999, 5:16am (CDT+1) To: IC_U2ATGODOTCOM@webtv.net (HI THERE) Subject: Re: I'm not guilty and going to jail today over $4 HELP!!!! Sounds like you've witnessed the "good ole boy" network, first hand!!!
Date: Fri, Aug 6, 1999, 11:45pm (CDT+1) To: IC_U2ATGODOTCOM@webtv.net (HI THERE) Subject: Re: I'm not guilty and going to jail today over $4 HELP!!!! Yes, you damn right you were done an injustice. I've never heard of such a thing. My mom worked at a convenient store for 3 years and a few times they came up short normally it was just a mistake in counting but other times it was shop lifters didn't your boss consider that? You should take that other guys advice and get a lawer. Well i wish you the best of luck hopefully it will be resolved soon.
Date: Fri, Aug 6, 1999, 11:43pm (CDT+1) To: IC_U2ATGODOTCOM@webtv.net (HI THERE) Subject: Re: I'm not guilty and going to jail today over $4 Help!!!!! I DONT KNOW IF ANYTHING I CAN SAY WILL HELP YOU ... BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE YOUR EX BOSS NEEDED SOMEONE TO BLAME AND YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE....IT IS GOOD THAT YOU DIDNT ADMIT TO SOMETHING YOU DIDNT DO....JUST REMEMBER WHAT COMES AROUND GOES AROUND.... MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE YOU KNOW KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND TELL THEM NOT TO GO TO HIS STORE!!! I LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN ALSO AND IT IS NOT A GOOD THING TO HAVE SOMEONE AGAINST YOU WHO IS IN GOOD WITH THE COPS...YOUR EX BOSS AND THAT COP WILL GET WHAT IS COMING TO THEM.... IF YOU HAVE TO CALL THE NEWSPAPER .. LOCAL RADIO... LOCAL NEWS.. MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS YOUR STORY.. IF AT ONE TIME HE TRUSTED YOU ENOUGH TO LOAN YOU MONEY, AND TREAT YOU LIKE FAMILY THEN HE MUST BE A NASTY PARENT!! AS FAR AS PAYING FOR THE BAD CHECKS ON YOUR SHIFT... THAT IS HIS PROBLEM... IT IS HIS STORE AND HE IS THE ONE WHO TRAINED YOU TO TAKE THE CHECKS.. SO THEREFORE HE NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBLITLY FOR THEM... IF HE DIDNT WANT BAD CHECKS THEN HE SHOULD NOT TAKE THEM.... I HOPE EVERYTHING WORKS OUT FOR YOU.. GOOD LUCK IN YOUR FUTURE AND WHATEVER DREAMS YOU HAVE MAKE SURE YOU GO AFTER THEM!!!!
Date: Fri, Aug 6, 1999, 8:19pm (CDT+7) To: IC_U2ATGODOTCOM@webtv.net (HI THERE) Subject: Re: I'm not guilty and going to jail today over $4 HELP!!!! Dear -------------, You are clearly a victim of a dirty scheme of those two bastards. It certainly has nothing to do with justice. It's very unfortunate but I can't see anything that can be done against it. Such people exist. However, reading the story, I can't help but feeling very angry about this. I hope you won't have to bear the embarrassment of being imprisoned for $4. Finally, I really don't understand that in America, the country that holds freedom and justice as great values, still allows such things to happen. Best wishes,
Date: Mon, Aug 16, 1999, 9:20am To: --------@webtv.net (-------------------) Subject: Re: What can i do??? Obviously, as an agency of the Supreme Court, we can't offer any legal advice of any kind. But a couple of things you might want to consider doing - contact one of the northern Indiana law schools (we have links from our website) - they generally have some clinical programs for the law students and often find cases like this very interesting for their teaching value. Many attorneys also do "pro bono" work, which means they will take occasional cases for no charge - it might be worth contacting local attorneys to see if they are interested. There are basically two things that can be done after a finding of guilt in a trial. One thing is called post-conviction relief. You can find more information about post-conviction remedies under our Rules of Court link. Again, these sorts of things are easier with the help of an attorney, but you can certainly file the petition yourself (called "pro se"). In post-conviction actions, the same judge hears your case again - and considers any factors that you claim under the Post-Conviction rules. Depending on what and how you present your information, the judge can order a new trial, deny the petition and uphold the conviction, or reverse the conviction. The other option is to appeal your conviction to the Indiana Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals does not reconsider any of the evidence, unless there is a proven problem with the evidence (and you probably would have had to objected to that evidence at trial for it to be considered). Otherwise, the Court of Appeals will just look at whether the judge made significant errors, whether he abused his discretion in finding you guilty, or if the sentence is not constitutional or somehow is cruel and unusual. So, I would strongly encourage you to find an attorney to help you with this process. If you start contacting attorneys in your area you may find one willing to help you either at no charge, or inexpensively. The law schools at Valparaiso and Notre Dame might also be a good source of information. Best of luck!
Date: Sun, Aug 15, 1999, 4:59pm (CDT+1) To: --------@webtv.net (---) Subject: Re: can you help!!!!! I am a New Jersey civil lawyer. I do not handle criminal matters. I suggest that you contact the public defenders office in your county to find out how a lawyer can be appointed for you, if you are unable to afford one. If you can beat the criminal charge, you may have a chance for a lawsuit against your former employer.
Date: Thu, Sep 16, 1999, 2:16am (CDT+1) To: IC_U2ATGODOTCOM@webtv.net Subject: Injustice People usually get what they deserve. good or bad. If the area you live in is tornado prone. I suggest you move ASAP. Or look out for some type of severe winter weather that seems to concentrate in your area, ie. a natural disaster, drought is a common one probably headed your way next summer. If you haven't sued for malicious procecution and if you haven't sued your own lawyer for malpractice, DO SO NOW. Get a lawyer from Detroit, Chicago or even NY. That'll stave off any natural disaters temporaily. Win or lose, your and your parents better move away quickly after your legal retribution. If not considering legal action, MOVE AWAY NOW. I recommend Central Florida, like Orlando. What goes around comes around so don't get sucked in with the rest of your complacent community.