Friends of Justice

Dear Friend of Justice,

A great many injustices have been caused by dangerous techniques used by psychotherapists who abhor scientific method — e.g., coercive interviewing of children (and adults) and the implantation of false memories.

An important new report has been published documenting the attitudes many therapists have about science:

http://www.psychologicalscience.org/journals/index.cfm?journal=pspi&content=pspi/9_2

There have also been articles about this study in the Los Angeles Times (click here) and Newsweek (click here).

-Bob

Dear Friend of Justice,

The recent arrest of director Roman Polanski has fired an intense and emotional national debate. Most of the debate seems to be about whether Polanski is essentially a “good” man or a “bad man,” whether he should be forgiven, etc.

I take no stand on any of this because this debate obscures the fundmental issues.

As a criminal-justice advocate, my concern is whether or not Polanski received due process. Like freedom of speech, due process, according to our Constitution, is a right that is supposed to apply to all — bad people included.

Last night, Jim and I rented Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired. I highly recommend it. The movie leaves no doubt that Polansku was denied due process because of grave judicial misconduct. And the most compelling statements supporting this come not from Polanski, his lawyers, or his supporters. They come from Roger Gunson — Polanski’s prosecutor.

This movie should be required viewing for everone participating in this debate.

-Bob

Dear Friend of Justice,

From Reason magazine: http://www.reason.com/news/show/135474.html

A must read!

-Bob Chatelle

Dear Friend of Justice,

I am trying to build a press list of email address for sending future press releases. If you can supply me with some, email me at bobchatelle@gmail.com.

Thanks,

Bob

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2009/06/25/smith-i-just-go-and-live-my-life/

http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=116568&catid=3

From the Berkshire Eagle:

Dropping Baran case, DA calls jury’s verdict correct

Baran’s family can put the past finally behind

From the Worcester Telegram:

Mass. DA decides not to retry child abuse case

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_12377920?source=email

Dear Friend of Justice,

A few minutes ago, I received a phone call from my good friend, Joseph Allen. he was calling from his brother’s house.

For the time being, Joseph is free and he is rejoicing in his freedom. Only those who have been imprisoned — especially for things they did not do — know how precious even one day of freedom is. Having never been in prison myself, I cannot even began to imagine this.

Here is a link to a story about Joseph’s release:

http://morningjournal.com/articles/2009/04/14/news/doc49e4b3bc79914983740408.txt

You can review the case here.

Most of the money for the bond was raised by the National Center for Reason and Justice. And most of that came from the readers of this blog. Thank you all so much!

Joseph was not allowed to take his address book with him. But he is eager to write to his friends. I won’t publish his address on a public blog. But if you would like it, please email me at bobchatelle@gmail.com.

We have a long way to go before justice is doen in this case, and in far too many others. But to have the courage to fight on, every victory must be savored.

-Bob Chatelle

Dear Friend of Justice,

I urge you to read this excellent article in the current Austin Chronicle about the Dan and Fran Keller case.

This is one of the many cases sponsored by the National Center for Reason and Justice.

-Bob Chatelle