Archive for the ‘Smith/Allen’ Category

Send Joseph Allen a Get-Well Card

Saturday, April 7th, 2018

Most of you are familiar with the sad case of Joseph Allen.

Joseph has been having health problems lately. Most recently, he developed an uncontrollable nosebleed. He had to be taken from prison to a hospital. The problem was finally corrected by surgery.

I got a call from Joseph this morning. He is back in prison and wounded reasonably well.

Joseph loves to get cards. Here is his addredd:

Joseph Lee Allen #A293-486
Grafton Correctional Institution
2500 South Avon Beldon Road
Grafton, Ohio 44044-9802

Seeking Facebook Experts

Monday, July 17th, 2017

phto: jim d’entremont

The National Center for Reason and Justice has long sponsored the case of Joseph Allen and Nancy Smith.

Both were acquitted by a judge some years ago. Nancy Smith was allowed to remain free, but Joseph Allen was sent back to prison.

The crimes Joseph didn’t commit were considered more serious than the crimes Nancy didn’t commit.

I can think of no worse travesty of justice that I have encountered in my years of activism.

You can read about the case here and here.

One of Joseph’s most tireless advocates is Dr. Bernard Rosenthal. (Who also happens to be a leading expert on the actual Salem witch hunt.) Dr. Rosenthal wants to use Facebook to increase public awareness of this injustice. And he is seeking help.

If you know your way around Facebook and are willing to help with this important work, you can email Dr. Rosenthal at bernardrosenthal@yahoo.com.

A Computer for Joseph Allen’s Sister?

Monday, January 16th, 2017

I communicate with Joseph Allen via email using jpay.com. He also has been doing this with his sister Dora in Alabama.

Joseph contacted me to tell me his sister’s computer has stopped working. She really can’t afford to get it fixed or to buy a new one.

I spoke with Dora. She said that the old computer was an AC. I’m not familiar with this brand.

Joseph asks if someone out there might have an old computer they might donate to Dora. If you can help, either comment on this post or email me at bobchatelle@gmail.com.

If you need to refresh your memory about Joseph’s plight, here is some information.

-Bob

Clemency for Joseph Allen

Monday, July 18th, 2016

Joseph’s lawyer, Paula Brown, is updating Joseph’s clemency petition. This petition will go first to the Parole Board, and then to Governor John R. Kasich.

Paula is collecting support letters to file with the clemency petition.

Here are some posts to this blog about Joseph’s case:

https://bobchatelle.net/category/smithallen

Many of you have developed a personal relationship with Joseph over the years.

It is not necessary to argue for Joseph’s innocence in these letters. The accompanying petition will make the case for innocence strongly.

What will be most helpful are testimonies about Joseph’s character.

Send your letters to:

Paula Brown
KRAVITZ, BROWN & DORTCH, LLC
65 East State Street, Suite 200
Columbus OH 43215-4277

With your letter enclose a note giving Paula your contact information.

Thank you for your concern about my good friend Joseph.

-Bob Chatelle

There is Hope for Joseph Allen!

Saturday, February 20th, 2016

…if you donate.

Readers of this blog are probably familiar with the case of Nancy Smith and Joseph Allen. If you need to refresh your memory, check out this link:

http://ncrj.org/the-wrongful-conviction-of-nancy-smith-and-joseph-allen/

This is one of the worst cases of injustice I have encountered. Almost everyone who looks at this case comes to the same conclusion.

In June of 2009, a judge reviewed the evidence against Smith and Allen, called them to court, and acquitted them. That should have been the end.

But Lorain Ohio District Attorney Dennis Will refused to accept this ruling and fought relentlessly to reinstate the convictions. While Will finally agreed to a plea deal that would leave Nancy Smith free but convicted, he insisted that Joseph — without a reasonable doubt an innocent man — be sent back to prison. And, in 2013, he was.

Now there is actually a chance that Will can be defeated. I believe his opponent in the March 15th primary, JD Tomlinson, will do everything in his power to right this awful injustice if elected.

Tomlimson is facing a powerful and ruthless opponent. His campaign needs money. I will give what I can. I hope you will too.

Send your contribution to:

J D Tomlinson for Prosecutor
633 West Broad Street, Suite 200
Elyria Ohio 44035

Please Send a Birthday Card to Joseph Allen

Sunday, May 24th, 2015

photo: jim d’entremont

May 29th is Joseph Allen’s birthday. Joseph is a dear friend and his is perhaps the most tragic case I have encountered. You can read about it here.

Here is Joseph’s prison address. A card from you would brighten his day!

Joseph Lee Allen #A293-486
Grafton Correctional Institution
2500 South Avon Beldon Road
Grafton, Ohio 44044-9802

Thank you!

-Bob

Joseph Allen is in the Prison Infirmary

Tuesday, January 7th, 2014

Joseph called me yesterday. They were putting him in the infirmary because of his blood pressure. He was agitated; he felt that they hadn’t been giving him the proper medication.

He wasn’t sure how long he would be there. It might have been just overnight.

If you’d like to drop him a card or letter, here is his address:

Joseph Lee Allen #A293-486
Belmont Correctional Institution
P. O. Box 540
68518 Bannock Road
St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950

Joseph mentioned that it has been a bit difficult for him to write letters because he has so little privacy. But there is a system for corresponding with him by email. He encourages people to use it.

Go to jpay.com and open a free account.

Do an inmate search for Ohio, using his prison number: A293486.

Once you select him, you will be able to correspond by email.

The service isn’t quite free you have to buy electronic “stamps.” The cost is 20 to 30 cents per stamp, depending how many you buy.

When you send an email, you should use two stamps so that Joseph will have a pre-paid reply.

Let me know if you have any problems.

-Bob

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Joseph Allen has Been Moved

Saturday, November 23rd, 2013

Here is Joseph’s new address:

Joseph Lee Allen #A293-486
Belmont Correctional Institution
P. O. Box 540
68518 Bannock Road
St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950

In his most recent letter, Joseph expresses thanks for the cards and letters he has received:

“Thanks for the cards and letters. They mean a lot to me during this difficult time. Tell everyone I say “Hi!” and that I thank all of them for their letters and cards and prayers.

“May God bless and keep you all well and in good health I pray.

“Joseph Lee Allen”

Joseph Allen Out of the Hole

Monday, October 28th, 2013

Joseph’s lawyer emailed me a while ago. Joseph has been released from solitary and is now in the general population.

Joseph Allen Has Chance for Parole in January

Saturday, October 26th, 2013

“Allen had served roughly 15 years before he was released, along with codefendant Nancy Smith, in 2009 by Lorain County Common Pleas Judge James Burge, who later acquitted the pair. Smith and Allen originally were found guilty by a jury in 1994 of molesting 4- and 5-year-old children on Smith’s Head Start bus route, allegations they have long denied. – See more at: http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2013/10/26/joseph-allen-has-chance-for-parole-next-year.”

From the Lorain Chronicle-Telegram:

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2013/10/26/joseph-allen-has-chance-for-parole-next-year/